Dear Senators Schumer, McConnell, Murray, and Collins,

We are passionate about ensuring everyone can access nourishing and cost-effective food options. The "SNAP Choice" pilots raise significant concerns for us for the following reasons:

• These pilots pose a threat to vital nutrition programs that are essential for the health and well-being of America's children. 
  The proposal is unrelated to funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Yet, it could divert much-needed resources away from this crucial program.
• There have been suggestions from some lawmakers that SNAP Choice should be used to fund WIC fully. However, it's important to note that funding for WIC is not linked to funding for SNAP in any way.  Any claim that one program must be exchanged for the other is untrue.
• It is important to note that almost 66% of all SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are used to provide food for children. Any attempt to limit access to SNAP benefits would directly impact children's food and nutrition security. Implementing such restrictions when low-income families struggle to make ends meet and grocery prices are soaring is not wise.
• Additionally, monitoring the grocery carts of parents trying to feed their children is ineffective and a waste of taxpayer dollars. It only serves to stigmatize these families and does not lead to improved health outcomes.
• Research shows that SNAP participants are no more likely than anyone else to buy unhealthy or junk foods. The idea that parents on SNAP are incapable of making their own healthy decisions for their children plays into the demeaning stereotypes placed on SNAP recipients.
• SNAP is proven to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and metabolic disease and improves health outcomes for children in both the short and long term.A lack of access to nutrition assistance can lead to developmental delays, poor immune functioning, and worsened mental health outcomes due to insufficient food.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has repeatedly rejected proposals for a system to deem foods healthy or unhealthy, citing complexity and cost. How and when do they plan to determine what is healthy food? What system will they use?
• As part of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Building Healthy Communities, the private sector invested historic amounts in reducing childhood hunger. At the same time, Congress failed to provide full funding for even essential nutrition programs.
• Lawmakers previously attempted to reduce the benefits for fruit and vegetables under the WIC program. Now, they are launching the SNAP Choice pilot, claiming they care about children's access to healthy food. However, both actions can be seen as severe cuts to programs essential for children's nutrition and play a crucial role in their healthy development.
• Policymakers must ensure that children throughout America have access to food and that their long-term health and success are secured. Assistance for children's health and nutrition has been at risk for far too long. We urge the Senate to fully fund the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program to safeguard the health of our nation's new mothers and babies and to reject any cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Feeding America reports that one out of every six children in the U.S. may not have a reliable food source. This statistic emphasizes the significance of programs like WIC in our society. These programs provide more than just food; they also ensure our future generations can grow healthy and strong.
• The Senate must reject any policy riders that may harm nutrition programs and instead allocate total funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Such harmful policies threaten access to nutritious food for the most vulnerable among us - women, infants, and children. Therefore, it is crucial that the Senate prioritizes the well-being of these groups and declines any policies that may compromise their access to healthy food.

Join our cause, and let's make a difference in children's health! Urge our senators to reject the SNAP Choice pilot proposal. Let's ensure every child has access to the nutritious meals they need. Your signature can make a huge impact!