Over 35 national organizations representing the children’s community sent a letter to members of the Farm Bill conference committee to stress the importance of nutrition assistance programs to children in the U.S. and urged members to work together as negotiations move forward to reject any cuts to nutrition assistance programs and safeguard the programs’ current levels of benefits, eligibility, and essential services.

A December 2012 First Focus analysis by Urban Institute researchers Julia Isaacs and Olivia Healey paints an alarming picture of the economic reality facing America's children five years after the recession began. Their paper also notes that federal investments in children have avoided even greater harm. This companion paper offers specific policy recommendations for Congress and the President to strengthen protections for kids.

As Congress continues to debate how to move forward on current Farm Bill proposals, First Focus Campaign Children has released a document that compares the current U. S. Senate passed legislation, The Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012 (S.3240) with the U. S. House Agriculture Committee passed bill, The Federal Agricultural Reform and Risk Management Act of 2012 (H.R. 6083).

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) are two critical child nutrition programs that are reauthorized through Farm Bill legislation. With nearly one in six households with children experiencing hunger, and nearly one in three children overweight or obese any cut to the SNAP program would compromises the ability of low-income families to keep healthy food on the table. In addition, changes to the funding or structure of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program would affect the health and well-being of over 3 million students. The First Focus Campaign for Children (FFCC) continues to urge Members of Congress to strengthen and protect child nutrition programs during the Farm Bill reauthorization, so that every child in America has access to nutritious food.