As farm-bill conferees try to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the farm-bill before the end of the calendar year, Children’s HealthWatch and Zero to Three submitted a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members about steps that can be taken to maximize the effectiveness of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) while supporting the health and well-being of our nation’s youngest children.

The letter expresses serious concern about proposed changes in eligibility and benefits and overall funding cutbacks to SNAP. Based on research that shows the harmful effects of inadequate nutrition on very young children as well as the proven benefits of SNAP for early development, we urge the conferees to reject any provision that reduces program benefit allotments, restricts eligibility currently in place and/or alters the program’s unique structure and ability to react quickly in times of widespread hardship.