Farming Subsidies vs. Food Stamps
By: Karl Wehmhoener
Updated: July 12, 2012
AMARILLO, TX. --Farming and food are hot topics today.
That's because the U.S. House meets tomorrow to discuss the Farm Bill.
But as they try to reduce spending, something's got to go.
And in this bill, food stamps or farm subsidies could take a big hit.
The cuts would have real consequences.
The House is discussing more than 16 billion dollars in cuts to SNAP, the program responsible for food stamps.
Zack Wilson says that's upsetting. He's the Executive Director at the High Plains Food Bank in Amarillo.
Wilson says cuts to food stamps would only put more pressure on food pantries, which for the High Plains Food Bank, is already at its max.
They've observed more people needing food, but fewer donations.
Wilson says if the proposed cuts to food stamps go through, children, the disabled, and elderly would suffer most.
"The average benefit for a senior per month for food stamps here is about 50-90 dollars. But if the cuts go through that benefit would be further diminished. That's why we oppose what's being discussed. We want people to know what will happen if the cuts do go through, since we are already experiencing a strain," Wilson says.
Wilson says close to 16 percent of the Texas Panhandle is at risk of going hungry, and that's without any cuts to SNAP.
"It's really not the time to be trimming back on something like this when we've seen the need as high as it is! And the need has remained high and steady for the past three years," Wilson says.
But experts in the Agriculture industry are also worried about cuts.
They're afraid farmers will end up suffering.
DeDe Jones with the Texas Agrilife Research & Extension Center says, "We are concerned that we will either lose support of the farm bill and nothing will get passed, or they'll take money given to farmers to supplement their income during bad years and money for insurance premiums, and give it to the food stamp program, in order to get this thing passed."
Every five years, Congress renews the Farm Bill.
The Texas Food Bank Network estimates nearly three thousand people would lose benefits from the SNAP program in Potter and Randall counties alone.
The House Committee is scheduled to vote on the legislation tomorrow (July 11, 2012).
For more from the High Plains Food Bank, including ways you can donate, click here.
More about the House Committee on Agriculture here.
Check out a County by county breakdown of how many Texans receive food stamps here.
The National Council on Aging is encouraging older adults, their families, and caregivers to ask Congress to oppose any cuts to SNAP. You can call 1-877-698-8228 to speak with your local political representative's office.
That's because the U.S. House meets tomorrow to discuss the Farm Bill.
But as they try to reduce spending, something's got to go.
And in this bill, food stamps or farm subsidies could take a big hit.
The cuts would have real consequences.
The House is discussing more than 16 billion dollars in cuts to SNAP, the program responsible for food stamps.
Zack Wilson says that's upsetting. He's the Executive Director at the High Plains Food Bank in Amarillo.
Wilson says cuts to food stamps would only put more pressure on food pantries, which for the High Plains Food Bank, is already at its max.
They've observed more people needing food, but fewer donations.
Wilson says if the proposed cuts to food stamps go through, children, the disabled, and elderly would suffer most.
"The average benefit for a senior per month for food stamps here is about 50-90 dollars. But if the cuts go through that benefit would be further diminished. That's why we oppose what's being discussed. We want people to know what will happen if the cuts do go through, since we are already experiencing a strain," Wilson says.
Wilson says close to 16 percent of the Texas Panhandle is at risk of going hungry, and that's without any cuts to SNAP.
"It's really not the time to be trimming back on something like this when we've seen the need as high as it is! And the need has remained high and steady for the past three years," Wilson says.
But experts in the Agriculture industry are also worried about cuts.
They're afraid farmers will end up suffering.
DeDe Jones with the Texas Agrilife Research & Extension Center says, "We are concerned that we will either lose support of the farm bill and nothing will get passed, or they'll take money given to farmers to supplement their income during bad years and money for insurance premiums, and give it to the food stamp program, in order to get this thing passed."
Every five years, Congress renews the Farm Bill.
The Texas Food Bank Network estimates nearly three thousand people would lose benefits from the SNAP program in Potter and Randall counties alone.
The House Committee is scheduled to vote on the legislation tomorrow (July 11, 2012).
For more from the High Plains Food Bank, including ways you can donate, click here.
More about the House Committee on Agriculture here.
Check out a County by county breakdown of how many Texans receive food stamps here.
The National Council on Aging is encouraging older adults, their families, and caregivers to ask Congress to oppose any cuts to SNAP. You can call 1-877-698-8228 to speak with your local political representative's office.
