Modesto Bee | Julietta Bisharyan | July 16, 2024
Central Valley organizations called on Rep. John Duarte, R-Modesto, to reject proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the 2024 Farm Bill. Members of local organizations, including Valley Families Unite and Communities for a New California Action Fund, and about 20 advocates gathered the morning of July 10 in front of Duarte’s district office in Turlock to deliver their letter. “Congressman John Duarte, we urge you to protect the crucial funding for SNAP that many Valley residents depend on,” the letter states.
Irene Kao, executive director of Courage California and Valley Families Unite, said SNAP plays a crucial role in stimulating local economies and helping families afford food. “Protecting SNAP is both a moral imperative and an economic necessity, especially for Congressional District 13 as one of the leading food producers for the state and nation,” Kao said. “Congressman Duarte has already supported cuts to SNAP with his vote for this year’s farm bill on the House Committee on Agriculture. We urge him not to vote to cut SNAP again and join in this call for solidarity for Duarte to stand up for his constituents and prevent a $3.6 billion cut to SNAP for California families.” In Congressional District 13, represented by Duarte, nearly 19% of the population relies on SNAP for food assistance – the seventh highest in California. Merced County’s Child Food-Insecurity rate is 27.3% – the third highest in the nation and the highest in California.