Effects of Public Programs on Family Food Insecurity
Food security is fundamental to health and well-being. For children, even a modest compromise in food security may impair physical, intellectual, and social development. Paradoxically, food insecurity has been linked to overweight/obesity, which may result in long-term chronic conditions such as diabetes and/or heart disease. Food insecurity has increased substantially in the U.S. over the past decade, alongside the obesity epidemic. In 2012, almost 15% of households and 10% of children experienced food insecurity in the previous year. Because income is the strongest known correlate of food insecurity, this problem is primarily one of poverty. Many public programs have the to potential reduce food insecurity among poor families. Those directly impacting access to food are SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—food stamps), WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), NSLP (National School Lunch Program), and SBP (School Breakfast Program). Income support programs, such as TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) and EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), may also help to alleviate food insecurity, as may public health insurance (Medicaid)—through an income effect or connection to other support programs. This session will examine impacts of public programs on family food insecurity. Each paper approaches the issue from a different perspective. The first examines the impact of the SBP. The second examines effects of the five major safety net programs--TANF, SSI, EITC, food assistance programs, Medicaid. The third explores potential buffering effects of food assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, NSLP, SBP) on families who have experienced health shocks.