Tallahassee, Fla. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced new proposed rules that would end food stamp eligibility for 3 million Americans. Following last week's 20-stop, seven-day tour around Florida highlighting hunger and food insecurity, Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement on the potential change:

“While 2.8 million Floridians struggle with food insecurity, including 850,000 children, reducing federal nutrition assistance is a step in the wrong direction. Helping families rise out of poverty through nutrition has long received bipartisan support. While our Department works to ensure kids can access healthy meals year-round, cutting food stamp eligibility will hurt 3 million working families seeking a hand up – not a handout.”