 KC Healthy Kids, the Greater KC Food Policy Coalition and many of our partners opposed a public charge rule change that would make it challenging for some immigrants to access nutrition, health care and housing assistance. Despite an outpouring of opposition from the public and several legal challenges, the rule change went into effect today. We believe the rule change will seriously harm the health and well being of immigrants and their communities. Keep reading to learn more about public charge, who is affected and how you can take action.
 Small actions like calling, clicking or attending an event make a big impact on our efforts to see that all people in greater Kansas City will have access to healthy affordable food that nourishes individuals, communities, the local economy and the environment. Here’s what you can do!
 Step up your food advocacy efforts and help the Greater Kansas City Food Policy Coalition keep our local food system strong.
 The Missouri General Assembly is considering legislation that would limit access to SNAP benefits (food stamps). Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Senator David Sader would threaten to take away SNAP from more than 45,000 households across the state. Now is the time to speak out!
 Last month Congress passed a new, $867 billion Farm Bill with bi-partisan support. The House vote was 369-47 (16 members not voting), and the Senate vote was 87-13. All but one of the Kansas and Missouri legislators voted in favor of the bill. Representative Vicki Hartzler (R) of Missouri was one of the 16 legislators who did not vote.
 KC Healthy Kids will join a coalition of good food advocates in Missouri for a lobby day at the State Capitol. Join our Kansas City area delegation as we meet with decision makers and advocate for policies that support a strong food system.
 Update December 18, 2018:
Thank you to everyone for getting the word out and submitting comments opposing the proposed public charge rule. It appears to have worked! It is reported that more than 210,000 comments were submitted nationwide. While the comment period has ended, this regulation has not gone into effect. The Department of Homeland Security must review every single unique comment submitted before publishing a final rule.  Dustin Hare, an advocate working with Community Health Council of Wyandotte County and Historic Northeast-Midtown Association, shares his comment on the proposed changes to the “public charge” rule. The Department of Homeland Security is accepting comments to the proposed changes through December 10. We’re encouraging all our friends to speak out and make their own unique comment.
 The Department of Homeland Security has proposed changing how they will decide whether a visa or green card applicant is likely to rely on government assistance. Under the proposed rule, only immigrants with substantial incomes or resources would qualify for a new visa or green card.
 The Farm Bill re-authorization process has officially kicked off in Congress. Now is a good time to get caught up! This is one of a 4-part blog series in which we will highlight some of the programs that are important to our regional food system and how they should be treated in the 2018 Farm Bill.
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