News & Updates

"The Ohio Association of Foodbanks is grateful for President Biden’s leadership announcing the American Families Plan that lays out a vision for building a stronger and more equitable economy. Food insecurity and unemployment rates are at an all-time high. While the recently enacted American Rescue Plan is providing much-needed relief to Ohioans – that relief is only temporary. We can’t stop there if we want to build a more equitable economy for Ohioans, many of whom continue to struggle to make ends meet. We urge Ohio’s congressional members to move swiftly to build on the President’s recovery proposals and craft legislation that improves the health and economic security for Ohioans."

"This sound and effective action not only provides desperately needed support for tens of millions of Americans struggling to put food on the table but is also an effective trigger for jump-starting the economy. Biden’s new order will allow states to increase SNAP emergency allotments for those who need it most and expand the Pandemic EBT benefits for students who would have qualified for free or reduced-priced school meals were school in session. The executive order will begin the work of revising the Thrifty Food Plan — the basis for determining SNAP benefits — to better factor in the economic realities that families in need must navigate today when accessing their next meal."

As budget negotiations at the Ohio Statehouse continue, food security advocates are sounding the alarm over what they say is a threat to families that rely on SNAP benefits. The Ohio Association of Foodbanks says more than one and a half million Ohioans rely on SNAP benefits to help them get nutritious food every week, and new restrictions proposed in the Ohio budget could limit who gets food and how often.

A late addition to the Ohio Senate's budget proposal would place greater restrictions on the eligibility of SNAP benefits -- also known as food stamps -- for tens of thousands of Ohioans. The proposed provisions, which are similar to those included in a standalone Senate bill that died in committee earlier this year, have been met with fierce opposition from food banks, community advocacy organizations and churches.

"This may be the first summer without child hunger in Ohio, but it’s only thanks to temporary assistance from Congress. We must enact permanent and long-term policies in order to keep disaster from striking those most vulnerable. Next year will be worse unless we use this time to examine the policies that work and make long-term change. The time is now to invest in the future of Ohio’s families."

A legislator's guide to addressing hunger

Independent economic impact analysis of investments in Ohio food programs, conducted by Dr. Howard Fleeter