USDA (SNAP Program)
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a federal department in the US government that deals with food intelligence. It is responsible for farming and helps execute the laws surrounding this field (Rummo et al., 2019). In addition to farming, USDA is responsible for forestry, rural economic development, and food. As per the responsibilities bestowed upon the USDA, the development of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps with matters regarding food. Therefore, the USDA’s SNAP program is a federal program that provides leadership on food.
SNAP, also known as Food Stamp Program, helps individuals and families with low income to purchase food by providing financial assistance. The USDA designed this program to ensure that people access food with all required nutrients despite their financial constrain. The program supports these low-income individuals to access nutritious food by giving them Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card (Rummo et al., 2019). Individuals or families can use the EBT card to purchase food from specific retailers authorized by the USDA. However, to be eligible for the program, one has to pass for low income that is limited for use. Other factors for eligibility to get the EBT card include expenses, resources, and household size. Moreover, the program is only temporary because the beneficiaries are expected to get jobs and become self-sufficient.
Goals of the USDA (SNAP) Program
One of the goals of the SNAP program is to fight hunger among citizens of the US. It is one of the essential programs that has helped feed millions in the past years. According to Rosenbaum et al. (2020), “In 2021, SNAP helped an average of 41 million people in the United States afford a nutritionally adequate diet each month.” It is an anti-hunger program whose primary goal is to fight hunger and ensure that people can access food. The second goal of the SNAP program is to provide financial assistance to low-income individuals and families. It provides them with EBT cards for purchasing food in authorized retail food shops. Finally, the program aims to provide nutrition education to the public. This will help prevent health problems related to nutrition and improve access to health care.
Oversight of the SNAP Program
The USDA oversees the SNAP program. The program has grown over the years, and the cost has doubled. The USDA has allowed the program’s expansion and eligibility of the beneficiaries to ensure that it helps as many people as possible. The USDA adopted the BBCE policies that helped expand eligibility for people who come from low-income families. Therefore, the USDA oversees the SNAP program and its guidelines.
Budget of the SNAP Program
Each year, the average amount spent on the SNAP program is about $113.74 billion. However, the program has expanded over the years leading to an increase in cost and expenditure. Analysis by Rummo et al. (2019) shows that in the fiscal year 2021, the USDA spent $182.5 billion on the food and nutrition program. This is a 49% increase from the fiscal year 2020, which was at $122.8 billion.
Effectiveness of the SNAP Program
The USDA SNAP program is effective based on its massive help to US citizens. Several studies have proved its effectiveness in hunger and poverty prevention. According to research by Rosenbaum et al. (2020), “SNAP reduces poverty and food security.” The program provides financial assistance to low-income individuals and improves health and economic outcomes. Moreover, according to the USDA, “SNAP participation for six months was associated with a five to ten percent decrease in food insecurity.”
The program is notably efficient and effective in handling its responsibilities. The USDA has ensured that the SNAP program has achieved its goals of decreasing poverty and hunger. However, there are instances of fraud and abuse that can be addressed through the incorporation of congressional authorization. The agency budget is sufficient for the program because it is a temporal program that helps individuals access nutritious food until they get a job and become self-sufficient.
References
Rosenbaum, D., Bolen, E., Neuberger, Z., & Dean, S. (2020). USDA, states must act swiftly to deliver food assistance allowed by the Families First Act. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2020. https://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/3-20-20fa.pdf
Rummo, P. E., Noriega, D., Parret, A., Harding, M., Hesterman, O., & Elbel, B. E. (2019). Evaluating a USDA program that gives SNAP participants financial incentives to buy fresh produce in supermarkets. Health Affairs, 38(11), 1816-1823. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00431
