Strain on ‘grandfamilies’: Grandparents raising grandkids face high levels of food insecurity
November 22nd, 2022
This article was originally published by USA Today on Nov. 18, 2022. Written by: Marc Ramirez These were supposed to be the relaxing years for Mercedes Bristol, a 68-year-old grandmother in San Antonio. Instead, she’s just picked up one grandchild from school and is on her way to pick up another in a car loaded
USDA Announced Largest Increase to Food Assistance Benefits in SNAP Program History
August 16th, 2021
The USDA announced a 27% increase to SNAP benefits for Texas residents, equivalent to $1.5B annually. Food banks welcomed USDA’s Monday announcement of a long overdue update to the calculation of federal food aid that will result in a 27% increase to SNAP benefits for Texas residents, equivalent to $1.5B annually. The Thrifty Food Plan,
Why Voter Access is Important to Texas Food Banks
July 15th, 2021
Feeding Texas respectfully urges the Texas House to protect legal and fair access to the ballot box for Texans by opposing the passage of HB3. According to a 2020 analysis of voting records, eligible voters with incomes less than twice the federal poverty line routinely vote at a much lower rate than their higher-income peers.
New Law Simplifies Access To SNAP For Vulnerable Texas Populations, Aims To Reduce Senior Hunger
June 17th, 2021
SB 224 simplifies the SNAP certification and recertification requirements for households comprised of senior citizens or individuals with disabilities SB 224, authored by Texas State Senator Charles Perry and sponsored by Rep. Armando Walle, became law yesterday after being signed by Governor Greg Abbott. The legislation creates a simplified certification and recertification process for Supplemental
University of Texas Student E-Cookbook Promotes Sustainable Food Sourcing and Raises Funds for Feeding Texas
June 17th, 2021
A team of 17 students from The University of Texas at Austin created a donation-based e-cookbook titled “A Taste of Austin Through the Lens of Sustainability” that showcases local restaurants and businesses focused on sustainability. The students make up this year’s Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD), a three-semester pre-professional program in nutritional sciences where those
Texans Running Out of Food as Weather Crisis Disrupts Supply Chain
February 18th, 2021
Texans running low on food are finding empty grocery store shelves. Food pantries are running out of supplies. And the freeze has wiped out substantial portions of the state’s citrus and vegetable crops. This story was originally published in The Texas Tribune.Photo Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune The state’s week of weather hell started
Texas Food Banks May Be Less Equipped to Help Hungry Households in the New Year
December 10th, 2020
More than 2.5 million households in Texas didn’t always have enough food to eat in November, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. About two-thirds of those households were either Hispanic or Black. This story was originally published in The Texas Tribune. Food banks across Texas are projecting food shortages in coming months due to the
Bipartisan Legislation Proposes to Feed More Texas Seniors
December 10th, 2020
Bipartisan legislation filed in advance of the 87th Texas Legislature would streamline access to nutrition assistance for Texas seniors and people with disabilities, according to advocates. The companion bills, filed in the House by Representative Armando Walle (D-Houston) and in the Senate by Senators Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and Royce West (D-Dallas), would direct the Texas
COVID-19 Impact Report: Over 400M Pounds of Food Distributed
November 17th, 2020
Thanks to the generous support of donors and partners, Feeding Texas and the statewide network of food banks were able to feed hundreds of thousands of Texans since the start of the COVID-19 economic downturn and make a commitment to be there for the long term with increased levels of support. Over 400 million pounds of
State Cuts Food Bank Funding as Need Soars
October 1st, 2020
The Texas Department of Agriculture slashed food bank funding by 44% today, despite record need related to the COVID-19 health crisis. The $1.9 million cut is to the Surplus Agricultural Product Grant, which helps food banks procure fresh produce from local growers. The cuts are aimed at satisfying a directive from the Governor to trim agency budgets
Hunger in Texas Doubles During Pandemic
July 13th, 2020
“This data makes it clear that the new normal of COVID-19 includes a significant increase in hunger…A modest, fifteen percent boost to SNAP while the pandemic continues would begin to counter this increase.” Photograph by Tamir Kalifa New research suggests food insecurity has doubled among Texas families on the four-month anniversary of Texas’ disaster declaration
New $1 Billion Program To Help Texas Families with Kids Afford Groceries
May 13th, 2020
Feeding Texas applauded USDA’s approval of a $1 Billion state plan to help some Texas families buy groceries during the health crisis. Households containing children up to 21 years old who received free or low-cost lunch at school this year will be eligible for the new Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program. Families will receive a one-time benefit of
$3 Billion Coronavirus Relief Program to Aid Food Banks and Food Distributors
April 27th, 2020
USDA announced the details of a new, $3 Billion Coronavirus relief program for growers, producers, and families facing the economic effects of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will deliver boxes of dairy, produce and meat through an open solicitation to local and regional food distributors, who must partner with food banks or other
Food Banks Urge Congress to Strengthen SNAP as Lines for Food Grow Longer
April 22nd, 2020
Food banks and nutrition advocates urged Congress to adopt proposals strengthening SNAP this week as the need for food assistance continued to rise across the state. “Our food banks are being overwhelmed,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas. “We need to deploy every tool in our toolkit to address this crisis.” Proposals to
Texas Food Banks Low on Supplies, Volunteers During Coronavirus Pandemic
April 8th, 2020
Demand for assistance from food banks is off the charts. But volunteers are staying at home, and grocery stores, which typically are key donors to pantries, are seeing their shelves depleted. This story was originally published in The Texas Tribune. Across the state, demand for assistance from food banks is off the charts as thousands
Proposed Cuts to SNAP Would ‘Take Food Away From Millions’
February 10th, 2020
Today the White House unveiled a budget proposal that would slash spending on the needs of low-income Americans. The cuts include a $182 Billion reduction to SNAP, the nation’s largest nutrition assistance program. While unlikely to become law this year, this proposal signals the president’s priorities for the coming decade. Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding
Meeting Specific Dietary Needs
November 14th, 2019
At Feeding Texas, we aim to support the nutritional needs of every Texan whose circumstances prevent them from accessing enough food for a healthy life. This goal is particularly relevant for households with specific dietary needs; for example, those living with diabetes. November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Nutritional management is critical for individuals living
Celebrating Vegetarian Month
October 30th, 2019
October is the month of ghosts, pumpkins and eating way too much candy. Surprisingly, it is also National Vegetarian Month—a time to celebrate eating vegetables! A vegetarian is “a person who does not eat meat or fish and sometimes other animal products, especially for moral, religious, or health reasons” (WHRO 2015). There are also pescatarians,
Judges Block ‘Public Charge’ Rule That Targets Immigrant Use of Health and Nutrition Services
October 15th, 2019
Feeding Texas policy analyst Jamie Olson explains how the ‘public charge’ ruling affects low-income immigrant families. This story was originally published in the Dallas Observer. Immigration advocates across Texas are breathing a sigh of relief after a new rule targeting low-income immigrants was blocked in federal court. Three federal judges have issued nationwide preliminary injunctions
1 in 7 Texas Homes Struggle to Avoid Hunger As Threats to Federal Assistance Mount
September 6th, 2019
The report found that Texas’ food insecurity rate was higher than the national rate during the same time period. In raw numbers, nearly 1.5 million Texas households were food insecure, more than any other state except California.
Many Students Could Lose Free Lunch Under Proposed SNAP Changes
August 1st, 2019
Feeding Texas Policy Analyst Jamie Olson weighs in on how proposed changes to SNAP would affect working families and children.
Hunters for the Hungry: On the Hunt to End Hunger
June 24th, 2019
Hunters for the Hungry is a statewide hunger relief program that provides venison to Texans in need.
Can We Stop Kids From Being Shamed Over School Lunch Debt?
June 24th, 2019
Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole weighs in on the importance of finding long-term solutions in Texas cafeterias.
This story was originally published on Civil Eats.
Disaster Response Mobile Pantry Readies for Hurricane Season
June 1st, 2019
The Disaster Response Mobile Pantry will serve the 19 counties of the West Texas Food Bank, and is on-call and available to other areas in the state should an emergency or disaster arise.
Fight for a Better Farm Bill
November 12th, 2018
Whatever you do to create a hunger-free Texas, the Farm Bill impacts your work.