For related publications and resources regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as the Food Stamp Program in New York State:
Children’s HealthWatch
- The SNAP Vaccine: Boosting Children's Health, February 2012:
New research by Children's HealthWatch finds that SNAP significantly decreases family and child food security. The analysis also showed that compared to children who are likely eligible but not receiving SNAP, children receiving SNAP were less likely to be underweight or at risk for developmental delays. The medical evidence shows that SNAP is an effective vaccine for supporting the healthy minds and bodies of our future leaders--our children.
- Real Cost of a Healthy Diet: 2011, November 2011:
In new research conducted at the Philadelphia site of Children's HealthWatch, we replicated the 2008 study Coming Up Short: High Food Costs Outstrip Food Stamp Benefits, examining the affordability and accessibility of healthy food in three types of stores in Philadelphia. The study showed that families of four who receive the maximum SNAP benefit experience a $2,352 annual shortfall and that more than a third of the food items were missing across all store types. Protecting SNAP's existing entitlement structure is critical to ensuring that families continue to get the support they need to provide healthy food for their children.
- Boost to SNAP Benefits Protected Young Children's Health, October 2011:
Children's HealthWatch research shows that the SNAP benefit increase instituted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act protected young children's health. In the two years after the benefit increase, children in families receiving SNAP were significantly more likely to be classified as 'well children' than young children whose families were eligible for but did not receive SNAP. Sustaining the April 2009 benefit increase will promote the health and well-being of America's youngest and most vulnerable children.
- Too Many Hurdles: Barriers to Receiving SNAP Put Children's Health at Risk, March 2011:
Research by Children's HealthWatch shows that young children in families that did not receive SNAP due to administrative and other difficulties were more likely to be child food insecure (sometimes called child hunger) and significantly underweight for their age (an indication of under nutrition). These young children were also more likely to live in households that were struggling to put food on the table (houshold food insecure) and living in crowded/doubled up conditions or moving frequently. Our previous research has shown that children in food-insecure households whose families participate in SNAP are significantly more likely to be in good or excellent health than children in similar families that do not have access to the program. Removing barriers to accessing SNAP can protect the health of America's children.
Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
- One in Four Americans Worried about Having Enough Money for Food
One in four Americans is worried about having enough money to put food on the table in the next year, according to a national hunger survey by Hart Research Associates, commissioned last month by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN). Another key finding is that many Americans are unaware of how serious hunger is in their own communities.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
