Kevin Concannon
Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services
United States Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
Dear Under Secretary Concannon:
I write to express my support for the proposed demonstration project by New York State to make soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages ineligible for purchase under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in New York City. I am a long-standing supporter of the SNAP and of the partnership between New York City and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Over the years, I have strongly advocated for measures to ensure that all eligible New Yorkers access SNAP benefits. Obesity related illnesses have created immense public health challenges for New York – like many other jurisdictions across the country. USDA’s approval of the proposed demonstration project would provide a critical additional tool for New York City to combat the growing crisis. The balance of this letter further details critical reasons why USDA should approve the demonstration project.
Obesity and diabetes have reached epidemic levels in New York City and in other jurisdictions across the country and continue to rise. Current efforts around nutrition education and incentives are critical, but alone are insufficient given the severity of the public health crisis. A few simple statistics paint a stark picture. In 2009, more than half of adults (57%) in New York City were overweight or obese;[1] 1 in 8 adult New Yorkers has diabetes.[2] The story is even more troubling for children: nearly 40% of children in New York City’s public school system are overweight or obese.[3]
The proposed demonstration project identifies a beverage group that has no nutritional value and substantially contributes to the obesity epidemic. There is a clear link between sugar-sweetened beverages and the obesity crisis. Studies show that Americans consume 200-300 more calories per day than 30 years ago and that soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages, more than any other product group, are the largest contributors.[4]
In addition to the tremendous toll they take on families, obesity and diabetes cost taxpayers billions of dollars in healthcare expenditures each year. Based on a model developed by a Columbia University public health researcher, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene estimates that the proposed demonstration project could save as much as $160 million in healthcare costs over 10 years.
Implementation of the proposed demonstration project is feasible and straightforward. In order to decrease confusion for SNAP recipients at store registers and avoid stigma, the proposed demonstration project includes a public information campaign to inform participants and retailers of the change. In addition, it is my understanding that most SNAP sales in New York City occur in stores that use scanning systems, which would make the change relatively easy for both participants and retailers. I am committed to working with the Bloomberg Administration to conduct intensive outreach to ensure that implementation is not unduly burdensome for businesses that do not use electronic scanning systems.
I know that we share many of the same goals to improve the nutrition of SNAP participants and ensure access to benefits for low-income households. My support for the proposed demonstration project is both consistent with these goals and recognizes the devastating effects that obesity and diabetes have on families in New York City.
As you know, state and local innovations have long played a critical role in shaping federal nutrition assistance policy. In this spirit, the demonstration project is proposed as a two-year trial with a rigorous evaluation so that New York City can test whether this approach will be effective in combating public health problems that confront us. As such, I strongly urge you to support the approval of this demonstration project. Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Bill de Blasio
Public Advocate for the City of New York
cc: Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
[1] New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Community Health Survey 2009.
[2] Egger JR, Bartley KF, Benson L, Bellino D, Kerker B. Childhood Obesity is a Serious Concern in New York City: Higher Levels of Fitness Associated with Better Academic Performance. NYC Vital Signs 2009, 8(1): 1-4.
[3] New York City Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2004..
[4] Guthrie JF, Morton JF. Food sources of added sweeteners in the diets of Americans. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000;100:43-51.
