The Food Stamp Program And The Supplemental Nutrition...

Formerly known as the Food Stamp Program (FSP), The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition-assistance program and exists to protect low-income Americans from hunger and its associated consequences by increasing access to food. Approximately 44 million people received SNAP benefits this year as of August of 2016.1 Due to the fact that low-income Americans tend to have problems with obesity and poor diet2,3, it would make sense that there would be interest to endorse healthy choices by means of federally nutrition assistance programs.4 However, there is insufficient evidence to require SNAP participants to spend a certain percentage of their benefits on healthy foods because food stamp participation may not contribute to poor diet quality, restrictions may not be effective in changing what food stamp participants purchase, and there is no solid evidence that exists that Food Stamp Program participation directly leads to obesity. This policy is not necessary for a variety of reasons. For one, participation in the Food Stamp program may not necessarily contribute to poor diet quality. A statement released by the USDA claims that food stamp recipients are equally likely to choose foods with minimal nutritional value as those who do not receive food stamp benefits4. In a recent evaluation and analysis of many instances of data about the quality of SNAP participant’s diet differences from those with a similar income who are notShow MoreRelatedThe Food Stamp Program Has Been Renamed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Essay1424 Words   |  6 PagesThe food stamp program has been renamed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but for many people, it is the only source of income for food. Following the guidelines of this project, I started with a weekly budget of a mere $60 for my family of two. Based on class discussions, relative poverty is defined as being poor by the standards of oneâ⠂¬â„¢s own society. According to this definition, I am living in relative poverty. My family fits into three of the demographics of poverty: single parentRead MoreSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( Snap ) Formerly Known As The Food Stamp Essay1709 Words   |  7 PagesSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as the Food Stamp Program was created in 1964 by President Johnson. In order to get rid of the stigma that the name had, a law was passed changing its name to SNAP in late 20008. The purpose of the program is to help low income individuals and families by providing economic benefits to communities. SNAP is considered to be one of the largest program in domestic hunger safety net. 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This program is offe red to people who cannot afford to buy groceries for their familiesRead MoreSocial Policies And Welfare And Social Issues1621 Words   |  7 PagesSocial policies are public policies of which the government uses for welfare and social issues. Welfare, according to American Politics Today, is the financial or other assistance provided to individuals by the government, usually based on need (Bianco 448). These welfare programs play a role in citizen s lives, especially those of low income. However, in some instances, they are there to help the wealthy as well, such as bailouts of the financial sector. As the textbook reads, the persistenceRead MoreThe United States Department Of Agriculture Essay1282 Words   |  6 PagesDepartment 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-i ncome Americans (Caswell, 2013, para. 1). Some of the current nutrition assistance programs include â€Å"the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)†(CaswellRead MoreThe s Policy Analysis Model1328 Words   |  6 Pagesincludes among its goals to increase food security and reduce hunger by increasing access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education for low-income Americans. (Caswell, 2003) Now that the program has been around for many years we need to ask ourselves how effective it is. Does it really help the people it is targeted to help? Is the mission of the policy being carried out? This case study will go in depth and look at the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) to analyze its effectivenessRead MoreFood Insecurity And Its Effects On Health1258 Words   |  6 PagesFood insecurity is defined as â€Å"limited or uncertain availability of nutrition ally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.†1 Food insecurity data found that in America, 12.7% of households were food insecure at some point and 5% of households had very low food security in 2015.2 The prevalence of food insecurity in Ohio was greater than the national average in 2015, with 16.1% of households reporting food insecurity.2 TheRead MoreThe Food, Conservation, And Energy Act Essay1369 Words   |  6 PagesThe Food, Conservation, and Energy Act The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act was passed on May 14, 2008 after a historical veto by the President led to an override by Congress to enact the new farm bill into law. The new bill contained numerous provisions in order to truly reform efforts to establish farm and food safety throughout the United States. This paper will focus on the provision that led to the renaming of the Food Stamp Act and Program as well as the act’s plans to allocate more than