Advocating for Food Security
Each year we monitor changes to state and federal policies and programs that impact people who are facing hunger. The Idaho Foodbank advocates for the people we serve and support safety net programming for people in need, specifically food assistance and health care access.
During this session of the Idaho Legislature, we have seen legislation introduced about SNAP and the grocery tax credit. House Bill 109 would have Idaho apply for a waiver from the federal government so that SNAP could not be used to purchase soda and candy, as defined in that bill.
SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which used to be known as food stamps. SNAP helps alleviate hunger by providing money for households with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty level ($20,345 for a single person or $41,795 for a family of four) to purchase food. SNAP cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, hot prepared foods, or non-food items. SNAP is an important part of the social safety net that complements the charitable food provided by food banks. For every one meal provided by food banks, SNAP provides nine.
While The Idaho Foodbank supports access to healthy, nutritious food for Idahoans, if SNAP restrictions increase, some stores may stop accepting SNAP. Under this bill, stores that accept SNAP would need to determine each food item’s eligibility based on the definitions in this bill. Grocery and retail associations have said this would add a significant burden to stores that accept SNAP. If stores no longer accept SNAP, this will limit access to food for Idahoans struggling to make ends meet, particularly in rural areas. We are continuing to share this perspective with members of the Idaho Legislature as the bill is considered in the Senate.
We are pleased that the Idaho Legislature has passed a bill to increase the grocery tax credit. The credit currently provides $120 per individual. Idahoans aged 65 and older receive an additional $20. This bill increases the grocery tax credit for all individuals to $155 per person, regardless of age. Alternatively, Idahoans can receive a full refund of up to $250 for all grocery taxes paid by itemizing their grocery expenses. This bill passed in both chambers in the legislature and is awaiting action by the Governor.
There continue to be changes at the federal level around government funding for a variety of programs that we are monitoring. Thanks to the support of our donors, only 5% of The Idaho Foodbank’s revenue from the government. Although at this time The Idaho Foodbank is not impacted, changes in government funding are impacting some of our food distribution partners and specific communities around the state. We continue to communicate with our partners on new and increased needs that come up.
The Idaho Foodbank’s focus will continue to be on the people that we serve and how we can best support them and our partner network.