A new poll by Hart Research Associates over the last few days shows overwhelming concern by voters about hunger as a serious problem; overwhelming support for the food stamp program (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP); and overwhelming opposition to food stamp cuts.

These findings are true among Democrats, Independents, and Republicans.

Findings include:

• Seventy-seven percent of voters say cutting food stamps is the wrong way to reduce spending and only 15 percent favor cutting such assistance.
• The opposition to cutting food stamps crossed party lines: 92 percent of Democrats, 74 percent of Independents, and 63 percent of Republicans say this is the wrong way to reduce spending.
• Only nine percent of those polled said they would be more likely to support a candidate who favors cutting funds for the food stamp program; half said they would be less likely.
• Opposition to food stamp cuts is even more overwhelming than in polling data FRAC released in November 2010, when 71 percent said it was the wrong way to cut spending.
• Voters are broadly concerned about the nation’s hunger problem: 81 percent say that low-income families and children not being able to afford enough food to eat is a serious problem.

The press release, Hart Research memo summarizing the results, and poll results can be found at http://frac.org/frac-releases-new-polling-data-showing-overwhelming-support-for-efforts-to-end-hunger/.