Feb. 4, 2014
Farm Bureau members are urging the Congress to adopt a new farm bill soon. The legislation will not only help create stability for agricultural producers, it will also provide health-sustaining foods for poor families throughout the nation.
According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, more than 23 million households across the nation receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Many of the beneficiaries are children. USDA officials report that at least 82 percent of SNAP dollars were redeemed in grocery stores in Fiscal Year 2012.
Congressional staff members and others have consistently noted that more than 80 percent of the appropriations included in farm bill provisions are earmarked for SNAP, school food programs and other nutritional support.
The most recent SNAP recipient data can be found at http://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/16SNAPpartHH.htm.