Expand the SNAP food aid program

I agree with Willie Dickerson’s praise for the Child Tax Credit in his letter, “Good ideas need support contact your members of Congress” of May 17. Another highly effective program that needs to be expanded instead of cut is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, SNAP lifted 183,000 people in Washington above the poverty line, including 81,000 children, per year between 2013 and 2017.

This year, we can improve SNAP when the U.S. Farm Bill is reauthorized by improving access to fresh produce. We can also eliminate barriers to SNAP for marginalized populations, including ending the SNAP ban for former drug offenders who have served their sentences and eliminating work requirements for low-income college students.

I urge Sens. Murray and Cantwell to support a farm bill that builds healthy and equitable food systems.

Cynthia Changyit Levin

St. Louis, Mo.