Food Stamps (SNAP) ...just the facts

[handmade34]

edit to change inappropriate wording

"Food Stamps" are an issue I have strong opinions about... but these are some of the facts


"The Law 1939: Legislation creating a federal government program designed to solve two economic problems by providing food for needy families and creating a market for surplus agricultural products"

"The food-stamp program is not yet a factor of large importance in the removal of price-depressing surpluses. If plans for its continued extension are earned out, however, it may eventually become an influential instrument for the accomplishment of that objective in the case of agricultural products to which the plan can be effectively applied. Reporting, August 8, on the favorable showing already made in Rochester and other cities, Secretary of Agriculture Wallace said: “If further studies continue to show encouraging results, the food-stamp plan may develop into an extremely effective national program through which to move surpluses of those agricultural products for which there is an elastic demand...”

"...In 1961, the Congress enacted a pilot program designed to help both poor people and farmers – the Food Stamp Program. The program was actually a revival of an idea that had been tried during the Great Depression. In both the 30s and the early 60s, farmers were producing more food than the nation could consume or export, and there was a large group of people who were going to bed hungry.

On the one hand, food stamps were and are a sincere attempt to alleviate hunger, but on the other hand, the program is designed to help farmers as well..."

...and I would add small businesses benefit from the food stamp program

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/30/us/politics/30food.html?_r=1

"...Some of the big industry groups have signed up lobbying firms. The Duberstein Group, led by Kenneth M. Duberstein, a chief of staff to President Ronald Reagan, reported that it had received $100,000 in the first quarter of this year to lobby for the Grocery Manufacturers Association on various issues, including proposals to restrict the use of food stamps.

...untold number of restaurants, fast food industries and corporations have been lobbying Congress of late to have their business be able to accept food stamps....


http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=2226

...not only does the program help keep people from hunger and hardship, it also...

"...protects the economy as a whole by helping maintain overall demand for food during slow economic periods. In fact, SNAP benefits
are one of the fastest, most effective forms of economic stimulus because they get money into the economy quickly. Moody's Analytics estimates that in a weak economy, every $1 increase in SNAP benefits generates $1.72 in economic activity. Similarly, the Congressional Budget Office rated an increase in SNAP benefits as

one of the two most cost-effective of all spending and tax options it examined for boosting growth and jobs in a weak economy..."

the SNAP benefit formula contains an important work incentive

one of the most rigorous quality control systems of any public benefit program. Its error rates stand at record lows

this interactive map is from 2009 and decipher as you will but I think the visuals helps forms skewed opinions
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/28/us/20091128-foodstamps.html


http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aer773/aer773b.pdf

[BumRushDaShow]

1. K&R

[tammywammy]

2. K&R

[rhiannon55]

3. I'm a food stamp caseworker

K&R!!!!

[banned from Kos]

4. Great thread. Yes, SNAP is from the Dept of Ag and the GOP Senators from the Corn Belt support it.

It is very safe.

Which makes it more despicable that the asshole Newt Gingrich is using it politically.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. The FARM bill is up this year

and it will be interesting to see what happens with what has always been the GOP hidden "pork" (pun intended) legislation, particularly if Newt starts attacking it.