Public Comments of Amanda Breen, PhD, Research Coordinator

IOM/DBASSE Workshop on Defining the Adequacy of SNAP Allotments - Institute of Medicene (IOM)
March 28, 2012

Based on Children's HealthWatch's research, Dr. Breen presented the following recommendations to the committee: 

1. Maintain the ARRA benefit level improvements past their current expiration date of November 2013, and increase the benefit to match the real cost of healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables;

2. Preserve food choice in the SNAP program, allowing families to choose the most appropriate foods for their households. In order to support healthy choices while recognizing the added cost of fresh foods healthy, incentive programs should be implemented;

3. Replace the Thrifty Food Plan with the Low-Cost Food Plan as the basis for the maximum SNAP benefit because it is a more accurate reflection of food pricing in struggling urban and rural communities;

4. Protect SNAP's entitlement structure, as it allows the program to expand with rising need and to shrink as the economy improves and families' earnings increase

Click here to read the full testimony.