Addressing older adult food insecurity with federal nutrition programs and state policy solutions

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Join state and national experts on food insecurity and anti-hunger programs for a discussion of the challenges and opportunities for addressing older adult food insecurity. Presenters will set the stage with a look at food insecurity among older adults and an overview of the range of nutrition programs for older adults; dive into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a readily-available and proven-effective program for addressing food insecurity for older adults; share out new research on the impact COVID-19 SNAP benefit increases have had on older adult food insecurity and health; and explore innovative state legislation in the District of Columbia focused on combating older adult hunger and poverty. Attendees will leave with actions they can take to support the food security, nutrition, health, and economic security of low income older adults in their community and around the country.

Andrew Cheyne

SNAP Deputy Director

Food Research & Action Center (FRAC)

Andrew Cheyne, SNAP Deputy Director, is an experienced public policy analyst and advocate. Mr. Cheyne has made a national impact on the anti-hunger safety net through state and federal public policy efforts on SNAP, Pandemic EBT, the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, as well as broader anti-poverty efforts in SSI, tax credits, TANF, and guaranteed income programs. This includes co-leading the historic end of ?SSI cash-out? that ended the bar on SNAP access to SSI recipients in California that has led to more than 600,000 older adults and people with disabilities to enroll in SNAP, and a variety of other policy victories to strengthen SNAP and the federal safety net for older adults.

Melissa Jensen

Anti-Hunger Program & Policy Analyst – SNAP & special populations

D.C. Hunger Solutions

Melissa joined D.C. Hunger Solutions, an initiative of FRAC, in August 2018 as the Anti-Hunger Program & Policy Analyst – SNAP & special populations. In this role, she works to increase participation in the SNAP/Food Stamp Program in the District of Columbia, and on nutrition issues related to hunger among older residents. As a part of D.C. Hunger Solutions’ team, she also engages and educates the public and policymakers about the issue of hunger, and works to identify solutions to end hunger in our nation’s capital.Before joining FRAC, Melissa worked at Utahns Against Hunger in Salt Lake City, Utah as the outreach manager. There, she managed the statewide SNAP Outreach Program with the Utah Department of Workforce Services. She also provided information about federal nutrition programs to the community, assisted community members with SNAP applications, and produced outreach materials, including the UAH newsletter. Melissa also piloted a series of Food Access Workshops with Salt Lake Community College to help combat food insecurity on Utah campuses.Melissa received a Juris Doctor from William and Mary Law School and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin.

Susan Beaudoin

Senior Associate, Root Causes and Specific Populations

Food Research & Action Center (FRAC)

Susan Beaudoin, senior associate, root causes and specific populations, supports work to implement cross-program projects and drive new initiatives and partnerships to improve public policies to end hunger in the U.S. Current focus areas include FRAC’s efforts to reduce food insecurity among older adults and immigrant families and work centered on the root causes of hunger. In her previous role as FRAC’s senior development associate for state initiatives, she was responsible for fundraising to support FRAC’s state-based efforts with D.C. Hunger Solutions and Maryland Hunger Solutions.Prior to joining FRAC, Susan served as coordinator of the Food and Health Network of South Central New York and worked with the Washington Youth Garden and the Rural Health Network of South Central New York.Susan holds a B.A. in political science from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from the Georgetown Public Policy Institute, Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership at Georgetown University.