Quigley Joins Cooking Matters in Support of SNAP and Nutrition Education

November 25, 2013
Press Release

CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) joined local families for an interactive Cooking Matters grocery store tour to see first-hand how nutrition education helps families stretch their federal nutrition benefits and cook healthy, nutritious meals. During the tour, hosted by EverThrive Illinois, Rep. Quigley completed a $10 Challenge using smart shopping skills to purchase ingredients for a healthy meal for a family of four for less than $10.

The largest cuts in the history of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) went into effect on November 1st. The reductions total $5 billion and will impact more than 47 million lower-income people (1 in 7 Americans), most of whom live in households with children, seniors or people with disabilities. Specifically in Illinois, nearly half of all SNAP recipients are children.

“With SNAP cuts forcing those in need to do more with less, EverThrive and Cooking Matters are empowering families with the skills they need to stretch their budgets and provide healthy meals for their loved ones,” said Rep. Quigley. “In Congress, I will continue fighting for these families and oppose further SNAP cuts because when millions struggle to put food on the table, we should be strengthening the safety net, not cutting larger holes in it.”

Rep. Quigley examines the nutritional value of packaged items with Cooking Matters Coordinator Lilah Handler.

“Each and every Cooking Matters class that we hold has a tangible impact, not only for the participants, but for their families and communities as well,” explained Lilah Handler, EverThrive Illinois’ Cooking Matters Coordinator. “Together with our volunteers, we hope to see a brighter, healthier future for Chicago families who are often faced with hunger.”

Rep. Quigley reviews a participant’s cart at the end of the Cooking Matters tour.

Rep. Quigley pictured with Cooking Matters tour guides and participants.

Rep. Quigley strongly opposed recent efforts in the House of Representatives to slash SNAP by $40 billion, which would deny meals to nearly four million Americans next year alone. During the holiday season, he volunteers at Lakeview Pantry and the Chicago Food Depository to gain perspectives from families that rely on their SNAP benefits to make ends meet.

EverThrive Illinois partners with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign to offer Cooking Matters cooking courses and grocery store tours to low-income families in Illinois. The program is taught by volunteer chefs and nutrition educators.

ILLINOIS SNAP BENEFITS AT A GLANCE:

  • 22 percent of children live with the threat of hunger
  • 46 percent of SNAP recipients are children
  • 821,000 children in the state rely on SNAP benefits for their basic nutrition

NUTRITION EDUCATION AT A GLANCE:

  • 85 percent of low-income families rate healthy eating as important, 8 in 10 cook 5+ nights of the week.
  • Families who use smart shopping and healthy cooking skills can save around $46,000 in lifetime healthcare costs and wages lost to sick days.
  • An outside study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that Cooking Matters improves participants’ food choices, eating habits, cooking skills and food budgeting and shopping practices in the short- and longer terms.

Hi-res photos available upon request.

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