The issue of charity around meals is a common theme during the holidays, though this year the prospect of a sudden drop-off in federal benefits has hunger advocates worried.

The federal government's response to the pandemic saw Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits increased, so anyone in the program got the maximum benefit for their household size. The likely end of the current federal health emergency sometime next year will bring with it a reduction in food support for thousands of Marylanders.

The increased benefits have been one of the more enduring parts of federal government stimulus programs since the pandemic began.

Michael J. Wilson, director of Maryland Hunger Solutions, said the state has seen a large economic benefit from the program.

"Over the course of the pandemic more than $2 billion dollars has been spent in Maryland through the SNAP program," Wilson pointed out. "And if you think of the impact that has not just on low-income folks, but on grocery stores, on farmers markets, on corner stores, it's infused our entire economy."

Maryland Hunger Solutions estimates every dollar in SNAP benefits spent in the community generates $1.85 in local economic activity.

The SNAP program is revised in the Farm Bill, which is approved every five years and is due to be negotiated in Congress next year. Wilson sees the upcoming debate over the bill as an opportunity for advocates to educate legislators on issues of food insecurity and equity.

One example he cites is how SNAP recipients cannot buy a hot pizza or rotisserie chicken in a grocery store, but could buy frozen ones. Wilson wants to see the policy changed as it does not take into account people in different circumstances.

"There are some folks who may be seniors, who may be disabled, or who may be homeless and to tell them you have to buy the frozen chicken, and not the rotisserie chicken doesn't recognize the changes that exist in society or in the retail sector," Wilson contended.

In November the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated the level of food price inflation at grocery stores to be at least 11% in 2022. While the forecast predicts inflation slowing in 2023, they anticipate grocery prices will still rise another 3% next year, and Wilson added people in need will continue to rely on a spirit of generosity.

"I want that spirit of charity to extend beyond just the holidays," Wilson remarked. "I want that spirit of charity to focus on how we can deal with food insecurity in a sustainable way, and not just a single meal, so that we can make sure that we really are focusing on addressing food insecurity."

Most Illinois residents will soon be paying the one-percent state sales tax on their groceries again.

Governor JB Pritzker's temporary tax relief is set to expire July 1 following a one-year suspension. It covered what the state refers to as "low-rate" grocery items, not the "high-rate" foods and beverages taxed at the full 6.25%.

Manuel Villaneuva, western regional director for Restaurant Opportunities Center United, a nonprofit advocating for workers in the restaurant industry, said the return of the 1% tax can be tough for the low-wage workforce, as pay is still relatively low since the pandemic, even as Illinois rents continue to climb.

He pointed out inflation is not making things any easier.

"Those little pennies on the dollar -- once you go to the grocery store -- for a family of four that is an average of $500 every two weeks," Villaneuva observed. "That can be really detrimental for their expenses."

Although many believe exempting groceries from state sales tax bases has a progressive effect, research from the Tax Foundation suggests it is not the case. It called grocery exemptions a middle-income, not a low-income, benefit, noting middle earners can more efficiently recoup the expense through grocery tax credits.

There is always some confusion about low-tax-rate versus high-tax-rate foods, based on the state's guidelines for what qualifies as a "prepared" food product.

Villanueva covers California and Minnesota as well as Illinois, and asserted although all states tax prepared foods, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish what is considered a "prepared" food.

"The only thing that I've heard of is maybe like a service charge for service workers and food workers, but never a tax on food," Villanueva emphasized. "If something like this were to happen in Illinois, you know, it would spark the flame. It's not sustainable for a lot of states, and it's not fair."

For people located within the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority or Metro-East Mass Transit District, the 1% local tax on food was never suspended. Thirty-seven states do not tax groceries at all, and of the 13 states doing so, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas and Oklahoma provide a tax credit or rebate to offset costs for lower-income households.

Record-high demand has prompted the Ohio Association of Food Banks to request additional funding in the biennial budget to increase the capacity of food-purchasing programs. Last year the state's food banks distributed more than 242 million pounds of food and grocery items to residents in need.

Joree Novotony, chief of staff for the Ohio Association of Food Banks, said the funding increase would help alleviate the strain on families forced to make tough choices. 68% of Food Bank clients reported that in the past two to three months, they've chosen between paying for food, transportation or gas, according to a new report.

"If you can't afford to put gas in your car to get through your shift at work, you're going to lose, you're going to lose wages, might even lose your job, right, so you're going to put the gas in the car. And then when you need to buy groceries the next day, that's where you're going to cut back," Novotony said.

More than 8 in 10 Ohio food bank clients reported seeking help with emergency food because of higher food costs. Ohio's Food Program and Agricultural Clearance Program works to procure Ohio-grown fruits and vegetables, shelf-stable items, protein, dairy and other grocery items to pantries across the state.

Novotony added more than half of food-bank clients reported having to choose between paying for food, health care or medicine within the past two or three months.

"That is not a choice that anyone should make." Novotny continued. "Both of those are critical toward managing that disease and promoting health and well-being."

She added the Ohio Association of Foodbanks and other hunger-relief groups are urging lawmakers to implement a state-funded minimum SNAP benefit for older adults, which would increase monthly SNAP allotments to $50 per month for the state's 70,000, 60 and older households.

A rally was held in Salem Thursday to urge passage of a bill to provide food assistance to Oregonians regardless of their immigration status.

Senate Bill 610, known as Food for All Oregonians, would ensure people who are undocumented and excluded from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program receive food aid in the state.

Morgan Dewey, spokesperson for the Oregon Food Bank, described the event.

"The Capitol was a beautiful backdrop for a series of speakers who shared their personal stories and organizations that are part of the 125+ organization-led coalition supporting Food for All Oregonians," Dewey recounted.

The bill would extend aid to lawful permanent residents, U.S. Compacts of Free Association citizens and other Oregonians who arrived as immigrants or refugees.

Dewey noted more than a million people are expected to access food assistance this year. To help counteract it, the measure would help get aid to about 62,000 Oregonians.

"With food on the table, families can thrive, kids can do better in school, access to education and health care and housing becomes a little less of a worry," Dewey outlined.

The biggest roadblock for the bill's passage is the Senate Republican walkout. Dewey added anti-hunger advocates are urging them to return to Salem.

"We're really calling on folks to come back and do their jobs so that pieces of legislation that will support a thriving Oregon, like SB 610 Food for All Oregonians, can pass and support our neighbors and our communities," Dewey concluded.


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