FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO - As of November 1, 47 million Americans who rely on
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have less to spend on food to
feed their families. The decreased funds are a result of the expiration of the
2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was enacted to stimulate the
economy and help those in need. According to the U.S Department of Agriculture,
the reduction in benefits will equate to 21 fewer meals per month.
In the face of these disappointing cuts, the Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics and its registered dietitian nutritionist members
remain committed to reducing food insecurity and its resulting detrimental
impact on the health of families. Access to food is a basic and fundamental
human right, and the Academy believes systematic and sustained actions are
needed to achieve food and nutrition security for all.
These actions include adequate funding for and increased
utilization of food and nutrition assistance programs (like those in SNAP),
inclusion of food and nutrition education in such programs, and innovative
programs to promote and support individual and household economic self
sufficiency.
Although there is economic recovery being reported, many
Americans still struggle to feed their families. These are families in which
parents often work two or more low-income jobs. Weakening a food safety net for
millions of Americans – half of whom are children – will only exacerbate their
struggle.
As Congress discusses the fate of the Farm Bill, SNAP could
be subjected to even deeper cuts. SNAP provides basic food assistance to those
in need, and acts as a buffer against the devastating effects of hunger and
malnutrition. Hunger and disrupted food access are associated with poor health
outcomes and costly chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. Cutting funding
to vital nutrition and food assistance programs will increase hunger and lead
to increased health care spending, two things that we cannot afford.
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All registered dietitians are nutritionists – but not all nutritionists
are registered dietitians. The Academy’s Board of Directors and Commission on
Dietetic Registration have determined that those who hold the credential
registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use “registered dietitian
nutritionist” (RDN) instead. The two credentials have identical meanings.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the
American Dietetic Association) is the world’s largest organization of food and
nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s
health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education
and advocacy. To locate a registered dietitian in your area, visit the Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.
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