A Fair Farm Bill

Step 1: Learn about the Farm Bill

The Farm Bill is a package of legislation passed roughly once every five years that has a huge impact food policy, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Covering programs ranging from crop insurance for farmers to healthy food access for low-income families, from beginning farmer training to support for sustainable farming practices, the Farm Bill sets the stage for our food and farm systems.

Every five years, the Farm Bill expires and is updated. The last bill was enacted into law in December 2018 and expires in 2023 but was extended to 2024 – it’s being negotiated now. We are asking for five legislative measures to strengthen SNAP, a critical lifeline for millions of Americans, ensuring they can access nutritious food and avoid food insecurity.

Our food and farming system confronts new challenges today, but through citizen and stakeholder action for a fair Farm Bill, we can ensure the vibrancy and productivity of our agriculture, economy, and communities for generations to come.

Step 2: Find your representatives

New York City

Find your local representative using your current address or location.

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New York State

You can find your state representative’s contact information on this NY State assembly website using your street and city address.

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House of Reps & Senate

You can find your national congressional representative and senator contact information on the Congress.gov site using your street and city address.

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Step 3: Take action

Below is some proposed language. Feel free to customize it with your own thoughts on the issue. When complete click the copy button and paste it into your email program.

Subject: Urgent Support for SNAP Legislation in the Upcoming Farm Bill Negotiations

Dear [Member of Congress's Name],

As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to prioritize strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the upcoming Farm Bill negotiations. SNAP is a critical lifeline for millions of Americans, ensuring they can access nutritious food and avoid food insecurity. Right now, five important bills that aim to improve and expand SNAP benefits are before the committee, and I hope you will support these initiatives:

1. The Closing the Meal Gap Act (H.R. 3037, S. 1336): This bill will boost SNAP benefits for all participants, ensuring that SNAP reflects real costs of living and more effectively reduces hunger.

2. The Improving Access to Nutrition Act (H.R. 1510, S. 2435): This bill will eliminate the three-month time limit on SNAP eligibility for certain working-age adults who cannot document sufficient hours of work, preventing unnecessary hunger among our most vulnerable citizens.

3. The Enhance Access to SNAP Act (H.R. 3183, S. 1488): This bill would put college students with lower incomes on equal footing with other qualifying individuals, helping them focus on their education without the burden of food insecurity.

4. The Hot Foods Act of 2023 (H.R. 3519, S. 2258): This bill will permanently end the prohibition on using SNAP benefits to purchase hot, prepared foods, which is critical for those without stable housing or cooking facilities.

5. The Lift the Bar Act (H.R. 4170, S. 2038): This bill seeks to restore access to public programs for lawfully present immigrants by removing the five-year waiting period and other barriers to SNAP eligibility.

These bills represent crucial steps toward a stronger, more equitable food system. I believe that improving access to food through these initiatives will help reduce hunger and improve health in our communities.

I urge you to support these bills in the Farm Bill negotiations and champion policies that expand and protect SNAP for all Americans. Thank you for your time and attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] 
[Your Address] 
[Your Email] 
[Your Phone Number]