Laura Milliken is executive director and Jessica Gorhan is deputy director for NH Hunger Solutions. Learn more at nhhungersolutions.org. 

We want to ensure every New Hampshire resident has the nutrition they need to be healthy and well because hunger seriously affects physical and mental health. But last month, 38% of New Hampshire residents and 48% of children were in households that reported not having sufficient food. Federally funded nutrition programs are essential to ensuring the health of New Hampshire’s residents. Yet, we have poor participation in these programs.

Low participation rates mean New Hampshire willingly avoids substantial federal resources that solve hunger. According to the Food Research Action Center, we are 39th in the nation in SNAP participation and 47th in School Breakfast Program participation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that only 44% of eligible women participate in the Women, Infants and Children program (WIC). Low participation also means fewer dollars in New Hampshire’s economy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that every $1 invested into new SNAP benefits generates at least $1.50 in economic activity. Every dollar we refuse hurts New Hampshire’s economy.

We can do better. NH Hunger Solutions is working with bipartisan legislators to reduce food insecurity in several ways. A top priority is the passage of Medicaid Direct Certification. Medicaid Direct Certification provides automatic enrollment in the school meals program for those children already receiving Medicaid whose family’s income qualifies them for school meals. Families won’t need to submit a separate application which will reduce administrative costs for school districts and make programs more efficient.

Two bills championing this approach are HB 601 and SB 242. Medicaid Direct Certification benefits our children, schools, and communities. It’s a win-win for Granite Staters — more children fed with more efficient administration.

SB 233 and HB 574 will re-establish the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), a federally funded nutrition program for pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five. The program would issue coupons to WIC participants to buy locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmers, farmers’ markets, or roadside stands approved by the state. Pregnant and nursing mothers and children can purchase local fresh produce, supporting our local farmers and our economy.

HB 572 raises the eligibility for free school meals to 300% of the federal poverty level. Increased access to school meals has many benefits for our children and communities. For example, one school lunch provides one-third or more of the recommended levels for key nutrients and receiving free or reduced-price school lunches reduces poor health by at least 29% based on estimates using national data.

Economists even estimate that free or reduced-price school lunch reduces obesity rates by at least 17%. Eating meals in school also improves students’ academic performance. Well-fed children have fewer behavioral problems, focus in class, and perform better on standardized tests. We must prepare children for a healthy and successful future by meeting their nutritional needs.

The 2023 legislative session is a huge opportunity for addressing hunger in New Hampshire. However, we need your help. Granite Staters must let their state politicians know how important these policies are to our communities and us. The state policies to limit hunger are being voted on today. Please don’t wait until tomorrow to make your voice heard.

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