New name, access for food stamps Maria Andres and her daughter Denise Flores attend the unveiling of the new food and nutrition program, FoodShare Wisconsin, at the Howe Neighborhood Family Resource Center Friday (photo by H. Marc Larson). The state seeks to expand use of the program By Ray Barrington News-Chronicle Kenneth Munson may never face a tougher news conference in his life. He didn't face hecklers, but about 20 active small children, there at the Howe Neighborhood Family Resource Center as part of the state Department of Health and Family Services announcement about changes in the state's food stamp program, now known as Food Share Wisconsin. At one point, he broke off his explanation to ask a small girl why she was crying. "I have two daughters, ages 4 and 7, and they'd be making even more noise," he said. "And they wouldn't listen to me, either." Granted, the kids probably don't know about state food and nutrition programs. But their future was being discussed. The state is attempting to get participation increases in the federal program. "Food stamps" is something of an outdated term, as users now use an electronic card, similar to a debit or credit card. And the term has a stigma, Munson admits. "Especially among the elderly, it's thought of as welfare, a handout. They're proud and don't want to take that," he said. The change has been in the works for about two years, he said. And Wisconsin isn't alone. Michigan and Minnesota also changed the program name. "In Michigan, they printed up two sets of brochures, one with the food stamp designation and one with the new name. Most people took the new one and stayed away from the food stamp brochure," he said. Munson estimated one in three of those eligible does not participate. To make it easier to discover if someone is eligible, the state is also starting Access, a new Web site, that asks simple questions to see what benefits, from Food Share to Badger Care, a person might be eligible for based on age, health and income. The site is at access.wisconsin.gov. A version in Spanish will be available in November, and a year from now, users will be able to use it to apply for Food Share and Medicaid, get benefit information online or report household or income changes. The additional enrollment in the program is good for the state, Munson said. He said estimates show that every $5 in federal food benefits generates approximately $9.20 in economic activity.