Nearly one in every five Floridians gets help from the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Right now, the budget for what many people call “food stamps” is included in the Farm Bill, but there’s a move in the GOP-controlled House to change that. Both the House and Senate are considering cuts to the $75 billion program.
Emergency food providers are bracing for possible impacts.
Al Brislain, President and CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank in Ft. Myers, said they’re in a “wait and see” mode.
“I mean I understand that we have to balance the budget but on the other hand we have concerns about what the impact will on the low-income clients that we serve,” he said.
The Harry Chapin Food Bank provides food staples to pantries throughout the five-county area.
Congress reconvenes from its summer break September 9th.
