Food Stamp Program Research Paper

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers food assistance programs that help provide food for low to no income families. It is their goal to increase food security and reduce hunger by increasing access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education for low-income Americans (Caswell, 2013, para. 1). Some of the current nutrition assistance programs include “the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)”(Caswell, 2013, para. 1). SNAP will be the primary nutrition assistance program of the paper at hand. No matter how morally good it is to try to help reduce hunger and increase food security within the United States, there are still many questions regarding issues with SNAP. This paper will be discussing why there is such a strong support for the program, how it helps the United States as a whole, problems with the program, and why some people are against SNAP.

Food stamps are an important component of low-income families’ monthly resources, increasing the chances that families are able to meet basic needs (Ratcliffe, McKernan & Finegold, 2008). This form of food relief dates back to the Great Depression when many Americans lost their jobs and did not have money to feed their families. People were starving while farmers produced abundant crop that could not be sold due to a lack of consumers with buying power (Dorsch, 2013). The Federal Surplus Relief Corporation which was a part of the Agricultural Adjustment Act, bought basic farm goods at low prices and distributed the among hunger relief agencies in different states and local communities (Congressional Digest, 2013).

Food Stamp is a government-funded program in the United States. This is a program that helps people buy food for their families; in other words, it is a very important program to families living in poverty. It is the nation’s most important program in the fight against hunger. This program was developed in the 1960’s; it is made to improve the nutrition level and food purchasing power of people with low-income. This program is offered to people who cannot afford to buy groceries for their families, regardless of age, color, sex or religion. Food Stamps can only be used to buy food items not hygiene or household items, and it’s offered only on a monthly basis.

SNAP is the foundation of nutrition assistance programs. This program provides over 47 million individuals in nearly 23 million low-income households. The eligibility is not restricted to certain groups of individuals, and because of this, SNAP serves a vast amount of families with children, elderly people, and individuals with disabilities. Others eligible for SNAP include families with adults who work in low-wage jobs, unemployed workers, and those with a fixed income. The SNAP Program assists about 72 percent of people who live in households with children. Nearly 25 percent of households with seniors and individuals with disabilities, are also assisted (Rosenbaum, 2013).

In the United States of America, there is enough food in this country that the total amount of agricultural exports is enough to feed everyone twice over (Dorsch, 2013). The problem is that even though there is so much food in this country millions of people require assistance to purchase the food and feed their families. Dating back almost 100 years, the now called Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) has evolved to keep up with the changing needs of the Country. In 1933 SNAP was built into Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA). The AAA was put into law during the great depression. The purpose of the law was to help farmers deal with the excess supply of crops by having the government subsidize the cost. The government would also distribute these crops to relief agencies and local communities (The History of SNAP). In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Food Stamp Act. With this legislation enacted it was now required to purchase stamps. These stamps also had bonus amounts that were determined by income level. In the 90’s and early 2000s major changes were done to SNAP. The electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card was

The federal food stamp program (SNAP), makes up the largest portion of the budget for the US Department of Agriculture.1 In New York alone 15.3% of residents receive benefits from the SNAP program.2 The purpose of SNAP is to provide nutrition to low-income citizens, however SNAP beneficiaries experience higher rates of obesity compared non-reciepiants.3 According to a report published by the USDA, Americans use food stamps to buy more than $600 million worth of “sweetened beverages,” and bought hundreds of millions more of junk food and sugary snacks.4 Lack of regulation and reform to the SNAP program is causing harm to the public.

In the United State, there is a federal nutrition program for low income people to help food budget and buy healthy food. People who have low income in the United States get the food stamps, also known as “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)”. For every month, eligible people who have low income get benefits deposited in to their EBT account. Once they get food stamp, people can purchase food items including seeds and plants to grow food in their house or backyard. It can be used at a grocery store, a supermarket, a farmer 's market, and a shelter that serves meals. However, with all these great benefits, people still eat unhealthy because of too much time consuming, limited money, some food dessert area, and the benefits allow people to eat junk food.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a government program for low-income individuals and families which allows them to receive nutrition assistance. Previously known as the Federal Food Stamp Program, SNAP was renamed in 2008 to fight stigma of those who participate in the program. The first food stamp program can date back to 1939 and was created by Milo Perkins who was able to see a solution for both farmers who had surpluses of crops and the undernourished population within the town.

The Government tries to tell people what that they can and cannot do when it comes to food stamps. This is not fair to the people who use SNAP Assistance clearly telling people what they can and cannot buy with SNAP Assistance is nonchalant. The United States government should not be able to tell people what they could buy with their SNAP because it is unconstitutionalize. SNAP Assistance is a government controlled program that helps low-income Americans put food on the table, providing benefits that are timely targeted,and temporary. SNAP beneficiaries receive what looks like a debit card, with which they pay in supermarkets. Ways you can get food stamps are; Current food stamp programs have little work required as a condition of assistance, encouraging the relatively well off the system and those in head to remain in poverty The Nutrition Assistance Program is targeted at our

Less than one percent of America has what is considered a "very low food security," yet eighteen percent of America is on food stamps (Hoar). There are many people in the surrounding area of Leedey, Oklahoma that are on food stamps. Most of them do not have any plans to make a change in their lives, and none of them seem to be struggling in regards to food. Many will say that it is not the government's job to control what people eat. The average person in America eats or drinks something that can be considered "junk food" every day. Why should the people on food stamps be limited on food when they are already limited to other expenditures? Seeing that it is everyone's right to eat what he or she wants, he or she should be able to buy junk food if it is he or she's own money. Food stamps are primarily run on government money. At least those who are not on food stamps who buy junk food can say that it is he or she's own money. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), food stamps, was created to get rid of hunger in the United States (Hoar). According to Robert Paarlberg of Harvard University obesity is the problem in most low-income households, not hunger (2). Jen Fifield, the founder of a food pantry in Quitman County, claims that "many public health and medical officials. . . [are] saying that the program. . . [is] feeding into the country's unhealthy habits and worsening the obesity epidemic. (1)" This is supported by many statistics. Arkansas state Representative Mary Bently states that one in three adults in Arkansas are obese, and she is afraid that food stamps are "enabling" diabetes and obesity to rise (1). If junk food is continued to be accessed by those on food stamps, then it will be more than adults being affected by obesity. The children of America will eventually be affected by the leniency of food

According to Reuters, approximately 47 million people receive Food Stamps. That equates to 1 in 8 Americans (Abbott). Food Stamps is away to supplement those who are having trouble finding jobs and supporting their families. There are individuals who take it for granted, and abuse the system. Many people apply yearly for assistance, but get turned away because their case is insufficient, or there is simply not enough room to accommodate them. According to an article, states that since Food Stamps are running out of funds and people are turning to food banks for support (Food Assistance Becoming the "New Normal). Food banks are designed for extreme measures such a natural disaster, extreme weather conditions, and the homeless.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is a government program to help its participants buy food. The amount of money issued each month is calculated by income, number of people in household, and other factors. SNAP benefits create a way for people to eat. But it also helps people in more ways than just filling their stomachs. And yet, there are those who do not see the benefits in continuing this program. If you have never experienced having to use government benefits just to survive day to day, that view is your luxury. Food is important to your health, and when you are not getting the proper nutrients, your health suffers.

The Republican-controlled Wisconsin State Assembly passed a bill on Wednesday, May 13th to require food stamp recipients to use their food stamps only for healthy foods. The bill now travels to the Republican-controlled State Senate, where its future is unknown. In the previous legislative session, the State Senate refused to take up a similar bill. If the bill passes the State Senate, the state would need a waiver from the federal government to proceed with the program change. Other states, such as Missouri and Kansas, tried to pass similar legislation but were not granted the waiver from the federal government.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (S.N.A.P.) is a federal program founded in 1964, with the purpose of reducing hunger and malnutrition in the United States. Low-income families and individuals that qualify for this federal assistance can buy food every month in the form of an electronic benefit transfer (EBT). These EBT cards are similar to debit card; cardholder’s recipient can use their cash benefits or buy eligible food at most stores and retailers. Over the years S.N.A.P expenses have dramatically increase. S.N.A.P needs reform due to the never-ending of the amount of waste, fraud, and abuse.

One con is that healthy food cost more; therefore, food stamps may not las as long through the month before they run out causing people to go hungry. Another con would be accessible issues, meaning, are their store within a reasonable distance for people without transportation can get to, to buy vegetables. Some people may only have access to general stores in their neighborhood, that does not provide fresh fruit or vegetables. An organization that is against adding more restrictions is the anti-hunger organizations. The anti-hunger organization feels as people are smart enough to choose the food they want. They feel that there isn’t any proof that links obesity to food stamps. They also feel that it could be stigmatizing to customers using snap to have to go to a separate line to buy forbidden foods. Businesses such as ConAgra Foods General Mills, Kellogg’s, Kraft, and PepsiCo, are all against adding restrictions, because they are all part of the 10 million commitment to feeding