Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Analysis

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) gives people in low-income communities the assistance needed to ensure their nutritional requirements are met and to purchase food they need for their families continued good health, but at a high cost to the American taxpayer due to factors allowing participation entry. Not only does SNAP provide food health assistance to families in need, but also gives those in need the opportunity to buy garden seeds with SNAP benefits. Also, SNAP allows qualifying families to utilize their benefits at participating famer’s markets throughout the United States. Once pre-requisite requirements are met and families are qualified, SNAP food benefits are transferred onto the state allocated Lone Star Card. The …show more content…

The SNAP-Ed goal is to “improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA food guidance.” https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/snap/Guidance/SECTION1Overview.pdf
This goal addresses the heart of the SNAP-Ed program, to alleviate the uncertainties of having nutritional food for low-income communities. These communities include “individuals residing in a significant (50 percent or greater) low-income population.” This program encourages healthy eating habits and promotes individuals to lead a healthier lifestyle through physical fitness programs, which can significantly cut the risk of illness later on in …show more content…

During welfare policy reform a noted decrease in participation rate is depicted, whereas the factor of both recessions shows an increase. Another study completed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation and Costs,” shows similar trends in relation to timelines. This study depicts the costs and enrollment growth between 2001 and 2013. In 2008, both the participation and the cost of the SNAP program mirrors that of the US Census Bureau study, showing a correlation in the Farm Bill Act legislation. This USDA study states, “SNAP will remain one of the most expensive social welfare programs throughout the rest of the decade and beyond. Indeed, in 2023, SNAP will still cost taxpayers at least $73.2 billion, more than double the total cost in 2007 and more than four times the cost of the program in 2000.”

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