Working Poor: Food Insecurity Essay

Resources needed to accomplish this project included permission and approval by the University of Minnesota director of public health, which included meetings and interactions with data system personnel to initiate the first roll-out of SNAP information in an email. Met with personnel at Second Harvest Food Bank and received information on the SNAP program, phone conversations with MDH to further clarify the SNAP process. The public health student that started the Nutritious U Food Pantry was contacted and interviewed. Internet services to explore grocery stores within walking distance of the campus were needed, along with investigation into public transportation availability. Spreadsheet to perform side-by-side food costs and comparisons were

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.

Did you know that 17% of Americans in rural areas live below the poverty line, and out of those 17%, 15 million of those individuals are children? (Hunger In America 2014). The month of September was Hunger Action month and many individuals helped raise awareness by taking the Food Stamp (SNAP) Challenge. This challenge consists of an individual living on the SNAP balance of a $6-7 per day budget for food. Many individuals came to the realization that this is a difficult budget, and does not meet the nutritional needs for a family.

As the US national debt nears $20 trillion, government programs are being looked to be cut, one of those being the SNAP program. SNAP is a federal program which offers nutrition assistance to low income families, by use of food-stamps, while also providing economic benefits to communities (“Supplemental”). SNAP is the largest program in domestic hunger safety (“Supplemental”), the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) works with nutrition educators, faith based organizations, and neighborhood organizations to help those eligible for the SNAP program make informed decisions about applying (“Supplemental”). The FNS also works with the retail community and State partners to improve the program’s integrity and administration (“Supplemental”). The SNAP

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.

While the SNAP program has been successful in reducing food insecurity, some wonder whether SNAP is as nutritionally beneficial. Here we have assembled relevant information on the role of SNAP in the nutrition of Americans, and areas where there is room for improvement.

The initial program for nutritional support from the government was established in 1964; the program was altered in 1977, and remains the largest federal nutrition program for low-income households (USDA). Census reports from the Department of Agriculture reveal that we more than 47 million low income families rely on the SNAP benefits monthly within the Unites States. However, more than 50% of the recipients are children and elderly residences; about 8% actually receive cash welfare. Approximately 30% of SNAP recipients have earnings, or reside in a household with earnings. Nonetheless, government spending at its highest; money allocated for programs that have little or no monetary return, such as the SNAP program are deemed useless, wasteful, and detrimental to our ever growing capitalist economy. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse

Has your welfare benefits been shut down? Food stamps are a stimulus to people who are unemployed and homeless. It’s also a way for people who are working part time making low wages to receive additional assistance from the government. Hardships like this affect our communities with low income or no income. The city of Atlanta, for instance, is rapidly growing. The United States Census Bureau says, “19.2% of Georgians are in poverty today.” Increased from last year, although there are many factors that contribute to poverty today. Atlanta’s efforts rise in poverty, as food stamp cuts and backlogging shortens local incentives in the Atlanta community, which needs to reform policies as spending, and enrollment responsibility. To help those struggling in our community to actively be aware of what is going on in the community.

This particular article is written by Patricia A. Duffy who states that low income families use the food pantry for emergence assistance for food, aside from the traditional government programs; this article suggests that food pantries are heavily used for emergency food (Duffy). The article focuses more on lower income families instead of the homeless. It compares food stamp programs along with the food pantry to understand how they both tie in to one another. There are various statistics and interviews of those who participate in such programs across the nation.

A History of Food Stamps The primary goal of food stamps is to increase food security and reduce national hunger in the United States. Each year, out of the one trillion dollars that the United States Government has to spend on assistance and welfare, food stamps takes up about 70 billion dollars (The History of NAP). The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or previously known as the “Food Stamp Program) started through the Agriculture Adjustment Act (AAA) and since then has spread around its influence and authority and grown in size (Mary Clare Jalonick Associated). Throughout the past 80 years, the Food Stamp Program has been modified and reformatted, and today it aids more than 44 million Americans (Rude, Emelyn).

Poverty is an issue that can affect anyone. One of the biggest struggles for those living in povery is obtaining and affording food. Thankfully the United States has a food assistance program for people who are living in poverty. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formally known as Food Stamps is a monthly budget specifically for food. While it has not eliminated hunger in the United States, it is a step forward and is also a prevention to hunger in poverty stricken families.

The government has many funds going across the United States to help support the residents of its country. Food stamps, also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is a resource that provides people with a way to buy food if they don’t have the money to do so. This aid is given in different forms such as a LINK card, cash and/or paper that resembles money but can be redeemed for food.Most people that use this resource are having hardships in their lives. The USDA ( U.S Department of Agriculture) states that nearly 40 million Americans are being fed by this program.( "Food Stamps.")

Unfortunately, in regards to the quantity of programs aiming towards families who need extra assistance the number is rather low. Yes, they’re at least one food bank in each area of Louisiana but what about those with no means of transportation. In fact, in 2013 Snap benefits were cut. For every family of 3 they will now be $29 short totally to $319 from each family altogether. CBPP.com agreed that, “ These cuts will likely cause hardship for some SNAP participants, who will include 22 million children in 2014 (10 million of whom live in “deep poverty,” with family incomes below half of the poverty line) and 9 million people who are elderly or have a serious disability.” Not only is this a bad idea but it is also rather selfish to take from those who need to feed their families.

The aim of this paper is to research how food insecurity and food accessibility affect low-income seniors in the Ada County area of Idaho. As research shows, the availability of proper nutrition affects the health of individuals, with geriatrics likely being at greater risk. Though individuals may live in a city with plenty of grocery and other retail food stores, as well as fast food venues, the distance that they live from a food retailer that provides nutritious foods impact their ability to provide healthful meals. Indeed, as individuals age, though they may own a vehicle, they may not be able to utilize a vehicle or ambulate sufficiently to shop. This paper contemplates additional services that may be available to aged and disabled individuals

Check to see if you are eligible for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) formally the Food Stamp Program. Snap is a Federal program that offers you the ability to purchase food for your family at most grocery stores. However, there are income limitations plus other stipulated guidelines. You can contact this program to see if they are able to provide any assistance. If you have school age children, you can contact the school system to see if your kids are now eligible for reduce breakfast or lunch programs.