ABSTRACT
Nutrition assistance programs in America are structured around three main programs: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often referred to as “Food Stamps,” the Women, Infants and Children program (WIC), and a variety of programs administered by local school systems and non-profi ts, funded mostly by the federal government’s School Breakfast and School Lunch Programs. Especially as it pertains to keeping poor children fed, these three programs combined striving to ensure that children receive an adequate breakfast and lunch provided institutionally almost every day, year round, with wholesome food being purchased and cooked by their families at home for dinner as well. There are a number of other programs, some of which are designed either to supplement or complement these three.
Created by the Food Stamp Act of 1964 and formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, the program was renamed in 2008 and is now offi cially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), although it is still offi cially referred to as Food Stamps in Missouri, 1 and goes by the name CalFresh in California. 2 SNAP is funded by the Federal Department of Agriculture and administered by the respective states. Recipients are given an Electronic Benefi t Transfer (EBT) card, similar to a credit card, which they can use in stores and at farmers’ markets to purchase any food but pet food, alcohol, or prepared foods, since recipients are expected to cook all meals from scratch at home. 3
