Whatcom Food Network

"Gina Plata-Nino, deputy director of SNAP at the Food Action and Research Center, on the Food Research and Action Center blog: "Millions of individuals with low incomes, including caregivers, veterans, older adults, and those experiencing homelessness will now face more hardship. It will increase administrative burdens on already strained state agencies and deepen food insecurity and poverty. Proponents claim that people can simply volunteer to maintain their benefits, but this “work-for-food” alternative is difficult to implement in practice. Outlined below are the significant barriers that make mandated volunteering a deeply flawed and burdensome policy, not only for participants but for the states and nonprofits expected to support it. "

SNAP benefits update: Trump's cuts could lead to 70,000 deaths Of the estimated 2.4 million people who could lose benefits, CAP estimates this could lead to 69,600 more deaths.

We will have a table at tomorrows Farm Expo. Come say hi, grab a sticker, and learn more about food policy in Whatcom County.

The FREE Whatcom Farm Expo is TOMORROW! If you are looking to grow a living in Whatcom County, come over to the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds between 9AM and 2PM tomorrow to attend workshops, connect with other farmers and farm associated businesses, and to experience a youth engagement area or live animals. See the full list of exhibitors and workshops at: whatcomcd.org/whatcom-farm-expo

Our friends at Birchwood Food Desert Fighters highlighted this legislative action to tackle food deserts and grocery accessibility. There is a hearing tomorrow morning.

This lines up with the priorities outlined in the Whatcom County Food System Plan, and we encourage you to sign in PRO before 10:30 tomorrow 1/27 to show your support. Direct link in comments.

Legislation would let WA cities run grocery stores, use eminent domain (The Center Square) – A proposed bill to the Washington State Legislature would allow cities to establish and operate grocery stores to address food deserts, a move that could help