Political Quotes

“A healthy diet for many Americans may have nothing to do with commitment, but, rather, accessibility. Limited access to supermarkets and grocery stores with fresh nutritional food can be a challenge in both rural and urban communities. These are often called food deserts. This is a particular concern for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which intends to provide nutrition to millions of Americans. According to the USDA, to qualify as a low-access community, at least 500 people and/or at least 33 percent of the population must reside more than 1 mile from a supermarket or large grocery store. For rural areas, the distance is more than 10 miles. It is difficult to eat healthy when the easiest store to get to primarily provides packaged and processed food. SNAP recipients may find a local market convenient, but it often offers high-calorie foods with minimal nutritional value. These foods can often be a staple for families with limited resources. It is my hope that we can increase access to fresh food for communities throughout the country. Our families deserve no less. I look forward to working with the Agriculture Nutrition Subcommittee to continue to look at the SNAP program so that it serves those it is intended to serve. ____________________”