Friday Hunger Round-Up

Happy Friday everyone!

Hope you're all getting ready for a fantastic weekend, that is, if this rain ever does stop.

Here are a few stories making news in the hunger world this week:

-The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Network and the non-profit group Share Our Strength are teaming up to fight childhood hunger through an initiative that will build gardens in underserved communities across the country.  The goal of the program is to end childhood hunger for twelve million children by 2015.  I'm glad to see the USDA setting a great example by encouraging everyone to grow at least a little of their own food.  For children, being involved in the production of fruits and veggies makes them much more likely to try them (and enjoy them) when they're adults. 

-As reported to me by Bread for the City, legislation has recently been passed by the Washington, DC city council to greatly expand eligibility and funding for the the District's food stamps program.  Important reforms include raising the income eligibility requirement for food stamps to 200% of the Federal Poverty Line (it had been 130%), and doing away with the $2,000 asset cap that often forced families to spend down savings before qualifying for the program.  Click on the link above for more info and commentary.

-The Government Accountability Office has released a report criticizing the federal government for an international food-aid program the non-partisan group calls costly and inefficient.  The group claims that the government's requirement that all food-aid be grown by U.S. farmers, processed by U.S. facilities and shipped by U.S. vessels creates unnecessary costs and does not necessary help reduce world hunger.  OH REALLY?  Shipping food thousands of miles from where it's grown is inefficient?  Who knew?  State-side hunger relief groups should take note and consider sourcing locally produced food whenever possible.

-Reeling from a decline in surplus food donations from restaurants and corporations, and a sputtering economy forcing individuals to rethink cash donations, a Michigan hunger relief organization is turning to community gardens to meet the increasing need for food among the the state's most needy residents.  Food Gatherers has planted a two-acre garden on its Ann Arbor, MI residence and has encouraged partner organizations to do the same.  The cheapest way to access fresh, nutritious food is to grow it yourself!

All for now, come back next week for a discussion on what is going to happen when school feeding programs go on summer vacation.