Mar
18
Public Policy at the CLC Annual Conference
On March 22 & 23 the CLC Annual Conference will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen, TX. The theme this year is Neither Need Nor Greed: Christian Stewardship of Money and Resources. Several speakers will touch on topics relating to public policy including predatory business practices like payday lending, the lottery and gambling. Stephen Reeves of the CLC and consultant Rob Kohler will make a presentation explaining why current law and past history demonstrate that the idea of limited casino gambling expansion in Texas is flawed and would lead to uncontrolled and unregulated Native American Casinos.
Texas Food Policy Roundtable Moves Forward
The work of the Texas Food Policy Roundtable (TFPR) is well underway. There is a strong commitment to end hunger in Texas, and participation in the TFPR is proof that Texans are ready to fight the hunger epidemic on a statewide policy level. The CLC has taken a leadership role in coordinating communication to members of the roundtable, and at the end of February, the first TFPR newsletter was sent to over one hundred recipients. The TFPR’s website, http://txfoodpolicy.org, is also now up and running.
The Texas Food Policy Roundtable is committed to creating a legislative agenda for the 2011 Texas Legislative Session, focusing primarily on four issue areas.
These areas are:
- SNAP. Formerly referred to as “food stamps,” SNAP food benefits are designed to help Texans in poverty to buy food and other resources for good health. Right now, Texas enrollment rates are extremely low as compared to the number of those eligible. The state has recently begun concentrated efforts to relieve a backlog of applications in the eligibility process. Since SNAP funds are entirely federal, it is the job of the state to make sure those resources reach those in need.
- Obesity. There is a direct relationship between hunger and obesity. A recent New York Times article quotes an expert saying that obesity and hunger often the “flip sides to the same malnutrition coin.” Often, when people are hungry but cannot afford healthy food, they buy what they can afford—processed, high-calorie meals that will keep them full. If hunger is going to end in Texas, the obesity issue must be addressed.
- Summer Food Programs. Summer Food Programs in Texas offer children at least one meal per day during the months they are not in school. This program has a lot of room for growth, and this summer the goal is to drastically increase the amount of food sites in Texas. Churches are getting involved with this initiative, feeding children and keeping them active during the summer months.
- Nutrition and Sustainability. Through it all, in order to end hunger in Texas, every Texan must have access to nutritious meals, with the ultimate goal of increased sustainability. The Texas Food Policy Roundtable will focus on helping to meet that goal.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Texas Food Policy Roundtable, or if you are simply curious to know more about hunger in Texas, please e-mail txfoodpolicy@gmail.com to subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
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