WASHINGTON – Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a reevaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan which is used to calculate benefit amounts for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The reevaluation was directed by Congress in the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill and accounts for factors such as current food prices and dietary guidance. The updated Thrifty Food Plan will result in an increase in SNAP benefits. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued the following statement in response:

“We welcome the USDA’s update to the Thrifty Food Plan which considers the needs of families and individuals who are food insecure. The resulting increase in SNAP benefit amounts will be a meaningful improvement in the lives of millions of people who rely on SNAP for basic nutrition. The U.S. bishops have repeatedly called for strengthening and improving SNAP so that it provides an adequate level of support that doesn’t leave families hungry at the end of the month. Support for SNAP and other vital nutrition programs is one way we can collectively respond to the Lord’s command to feed the hungry. As a Church, we will continue to advocate for policies like SNAP that help people meet their essential human needs.”

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