NEW BRITAIN – On Friday, June 9th, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) led a round table discussion hosted by Connecticut Foodshare and End Hunger Connecticut! at Central Connecticut State University where they heard from community members, advocates and stakeholders on the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and advocated for robust funding in the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill legislation.
“SNAP is the nation’s leading anti-hunger program. The Farm Bill presents Congress with the opportunity to make significant improvements to federal nutrition programs to lift families out of poverty, improve health outcomes, and strengthen communities nationwide. One person struggling with food insecurity is one too many. As Ranking Member of the Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture Subcommittee, I am working to ensure no further cuts are made to SNAP and this legislative package puts the nation on a path towards ending hunger once and for all,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05). “Friday’s round table with End Hunger Connecticut!, Connecticut Foodshare, and statewide stakeholders offered meaningful insight that I will bring back to the Committee on Agriculture as I continue to push for legislative action to close disparities and keep children and families fed.
“The roundtable discussion about the Farm Bill with Congresswoman Hayes was a powerful demonstration of shared advocacy from multiple stakeholders that serve CT residents of all ages and backgrounds who rely on SNAP and agree that it should be strengthened – not slashed – in the upcoming Farm Bill, “said Julieth Callejas, Executive Director, End Hunger Connecticut!
“While the round table included a robust discussion about everything from children, to BIPOC communities, to our farmers, one simple, pertinent point was overwhelming clear in the comments of both the Congresswoman and those on the panel of experts: above all, we just need to feed people,” Callejas continued. “And SNAP feeds people. End Hunger CT! thanks the Congresswoman for her outspoken advocacy for nutrition programs in this legislation and her continued dedication to SNAP and feeding families in Connecticut and beyond.”
“We’re so grateful to Congresswoman Hayes for her ongoing advocacy for a strong Farm Bill and her commitment to elevating voices of those in our community as part of the process on issues,” said Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO, Connecticut Foodshare. “During this round table conversation, our community was able to share how important a strong SNAP program is to the dignity of our neighbors, and the ways that infusing funding and equity into our agriculture programs benefits all of us. We are extremely fortunate to have her voice in the U.S. Congress.”
Over 375,000 Connecticut residents, including more than 130,000 children, rely on SNAP each month for critical food and nutrition. SNAP is the nation’s most important and effective anti-hunger program, providing 1 meal for every 9 that a food bank provides. SNAP helps working families, children and older adults, and people with disabilities and is also and is also an important public-private partnership, helping families afford a basic diet and boosting our local economies.
Watch the round table and learn more here.
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Congresswoman Jahana Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Workforce and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District. She was a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year.