Latest from Food Politics: Just as expected, SNAP participation is declining, and by a lot

FRAC, the venerable Food Research & Action Center, is tracking trends in SNAP participation. The decline is not because of lack of need.   As FRAC explains, it is the result of deliberate efforts by the Trump administration to reduce SNAP enrollments. ...

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By Marion Nestle April 21 2026 Just as expected, SNAP participation is declining, and by a lot FRAC, the venerable Food Research & Action Center, is tracking trends in SNAP participation. The decline is not because of lack of need.  As FRAC explains, it is the result of deliberate efforts by the Trump administration to reduce SNAP enrollments. At the end of 2024, President Trump intervened to allow replacement benefits for victims of theft to expire..   The administration rolled back equity-focused administrative improvements.  It introduced data collection demands on SNAP participants.   It passed the budget reconciliation law, H.R. 1, in July 2025, moving the situation from erosion to introduction of intentional instability and outright removal of participation. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicted, correctly, that enrollment would decline by 2.4 million people in an average month, mainly the most vulnerable.   It encouraged states to pass SNAP purchase restrictions, framed as health interventions—see Calley Means’ post below—but actually intended to discourage participation.  These further stigmatize participants and imposre costly compliance burdens on retailers.   As FRAC further explains, none of this is accidental. People are being cut off not because they no longer qualify, but because the system is designed in a way that makes maintaining eligibility increasingly difficult. As households experience delays, confusion, and failed attempts to access assistance — especially following the disruption during the 2025 government shutdown — trust in the program will deteriorate. Participation will decline further as people disengage from a system they no longer believe will work for them. Comment SNAP is the core of federal food assistance for those in need.  It has its problems as a program, but none of these actions are aimed at improving access, benefits, or program integrity—just the opposite. Expect poverty rates to increase and by a lot, given food inflation, especially among children.  If they are lucky, school age children will get school meals at least, but those programs are also being cut. When people ask me what policy might actually improve food insecurity and reduce poverty, I say Universal Basic Income.  That would solve a lot of problems.   The post Just as expected, SNAP participation is declining, and by a lot appeared first on Food Politics by Marion Nestle      Related Posts Lawsuit #2: SNAP restrictions USDA grants SNAP waivers to 6 new states   Now Available: What to Eat Now My new book, What to Eat Now, is officially out! It's both a field guide to food shopping in America and a reflection on how to eat well—and deliciously. For more information and to order, click here. You can explore the full archive of this (almost) daily blog at foodpolitics.com, where you'll also find information about my books, articles, media interviews, upcoming lectures, favorite resources, and FAQs. Visit the Site » ​​​​​​​ Marion Nestle Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, Emerita © Marion Nestle. You're receiving this email because you've signed up to receive updates from us. If you'd prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe. Safely Unsubscribe • Archives • Preferences • Contact • Subscribe • Privacy

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Counseling at Cutting Edge: A Collaborative, Personalized Approach to Mental Health Care

Our counselors here at Cutting Edge Pediatric Therapy discuss what sets our counseling services apart from others. View this email in your browser Counseling at Cutting Edge: A Collaborative, Personalized Approach to Mental Health Care Counseling at Cutting Edge: A Collaborative, Personalized Approach to Mental Health Care At Cutting Edge Pediatric and Adult Therapy, counseling is more than just conversation. It is a dynamic, evidence-based process designed to support individuals of all ages in navigating life’s challenges. Our counselors emphasize a compassionate and individualized approach that meets clients where they are. A Wide Range of Support Cutting Edge offers both individual and group counseling services tailored to address a variety of needs. Whether it is managing overwhelming emotions, coping with stress, building confidence, or navigating life changes and diagnoses, counseling can provide meaningful tools and strategies. Many clients seek support for challenges such as: Difficulty managing strong emotions Trouble calming down or handling stress Self-doubt or low self-esteem Social challenges, including making or maintaining friendships Adjusting to new diagnoses or life transitions etc. The goal is to help individuals feel better and function more effectively in their daily lives. What Sets Cutting Edge Apart One of the defining features of Cutting Edge is its interdisciplinary model. In addition to counseling, the center offers occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, feeding therapy, and ABA services, all under one roof. This allows professionals from different specialties to collaborate when appropriate, sharing insights and strategies to better support each client’s progress across environments. Counseling sessions at Cutting Edge may take place in the traditional one-on-one setting, or may also take place in real-life settings such as our gyms, a simulated apartment, or even the center’s on-site coffee shop, Spencer’s Java Jam. These environments create opportunities for clients to practice real-world skills like communication with peers, emotional regulation, and managing transitions in a natural, supportive setting. A Neuro-affirming, Personalized Approach The counseling team at Cutting Edge uses neuro-affirming practices, recognizing and respecting each individual’s unique way of thinking and experiencing the world. Therapy is not one size fits all. Instead, interventions are carefully tailored to each client’s strengths, developmental stage, and goals. Our counselors may incorporate a variety of evidence-based approaches, including, but not limited to: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Person Centered Therapy Child-Centered Play Therapy Spotlight on Therapeutic Approaches   Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Clients work collaboratively with their counselor to identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge them, and develop more balanced perspectives when appropriate. The process also includes building practical coping skills that can be applied in everyday life. Importantly, not every thought needs to be changed. Some are valid as they are. The emphasis is on flexibility, awareness, and growth. Play Therapy for Younger Children For children typically under eight, play therapy offers a developmentally appropriate way to process emotions and experiences. Since play is a child’s natural language, this approach allows them to express themselves in ways that are developmentally appropriate and effective. Play therapy can help children: Improve emotional regulation Build social skills Increase self-esteem Reduce anxiety and anger etc. It is effective for both neurodivergent and neurotypical children, providing a supportive space for growth and understanding. A Collaborative Path Forward At its core, counseling at Cutting Edge is an active, collaborative process. Clients are not passive participants. They are partners in their own growth. By combining evidence-based practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world application, the counseling team strives to create meaningful, lasting change. Whether for a child learning to navigate big emotions or an adult seeking better ways to cope with life’s stressors, Cutting Edge offers a supportive environment where individuals can thrive. Check out our counseling brochure on our website: https://cuttingedgepediatrictherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2026/03/Counseling-Brochure-R1.pdf     CONTACT US Share Tweet Forward Website Facebook Copyright © 2026 Cutting Edge Pediatric Therapy, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or offline form Our mailing address is: Cutting Edge Pediatric Therapy 900 Junction Drive Allen, TX 75013 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

Latest from Food Politics: Industry funded study of the week: a dog supplement

No food or supplement is too small to evade research aimed at selling it.   Try this one: ADM study: Postbiotic supports metabolic health markers in labradors:  Supplementing labradors with the postbiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis ...

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By Marion Nestle April 20 2026 Industry funded study of the week: a dog supplement No food or supplement is too small to evade research aimed at selling it.  Try this one: ADM study: Postbiotic supports metabolic health markers in labradors:  Supplementing labradors with the postbiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis CECT 8145 may influence metabolic health markers during weight change, according to ADM research…. Read more ADM makes dietary supplements.  NutraIngredients.com is unusually helpful about noting when companies sponsor research on their own products.  It also typically cites the original articles so they are easy to look up. The study: Dickerson SM, Timlin CL, Mccracken FB, Skaggs P, Nixon SL, Day R, Coon CN. Bifidobacterium animalis Subspecies lactis CECT 8145 Affects Markers of Metabolic Health in Dogs During Weight Gain and Weight Loss. Animals. 2026; 16(2):259. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16020259 Method: The study had two phases: a weight-gain phase where dogs were overfed, and a weight-loss phase where overweight dogs were fed just enough to maintain their ideal weight. During each phase, forty-five adult Labradors were divided into three groups: one received the live bacterial supplement (probiotic), another received the heat-treated version (postbiotic), and the third group received a placebo. Results: During weight gain…the postbiotic reduced blood sugar after consuming kibble in the weight-loss phase. Overall, the study suggests that supplementing dogs with Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis CECT 8145 may influence metabolic health markers as seen through changes in blood and fecal markers in Labradors during weight change. Conclusion: we showed that postbiotic, and to a lesser extent probiotic, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 may influence metabolic health markers without inducing short-term changes in body weight or body composition, suggesting potential metabolic health benefits that warrant further investigation. Funding: This research and APC was funded by Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). Acknowledgments: Supplements used for this study were provided by ADM Health & Wellness. Conflicts of Interest: Sarah Dickerson, Claire Timlin, Fiona Mccracken, and Patrick Skaggs are employees of Four Rivers Kennel, Walker, MO, USA. Craig Coon is the President and Co-Founder of Four Rivers Kennel. Sophie Nixon and Richard Day are employees of Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and played a role in study design, analysis, write-up, and final review of the manuscript. The authors declare no other conflicts of interest.Comment: The “funding effect” (the observation that industry-funded studies favor the sponsor’s interests) holds for veterinary research as well as human research.  This research is about establishing a basis for convincing dog owners to buy supplements for their pets. The post Industry funded study of the week: a dog supplement appeared first on Food Politics by Marion Nestle       Now Available: What to Eat Now My new book, What to Eat Now, is officially out! It's both a field guide to food shopping in America and a reflection on how to eat well—and deliciously. For more information and to order, click here. You can explore the full archive of this (almost) daily blog at foodpolitics.com, where you'll also find information about my books, articles, media interviews, upcoming lectures, favorite resources, and FAQs. Visit the Site » ​​​​​​​ Marion Nestle Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, Emerita © Marion Nestle. You're receiving this email because you've signed up to receive updates from us. If you'd prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe. Safely Unsubscribe • Archives • Preferences • Contact • Subscribe • Privacy

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