Stronger & Healthier Communities

SNAP is one of our most effective tools in reducing hunger and food insecurity. But it does so much more for low-income communities. Thanks to SNAP, communities across the country see more positive health outcomes and lower health care costs overall. Reducing food insecurity and supporting local economies leads to communities that are stronger and healthier.

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SNAP is the best investment we can make to fight hunger today.

SNAP improves outcomes tomorrow for millions of people in health, education, earnings, and economic security.

SNAP helps 40 million low-income individuals afford a nutritionally adequate diet

SNAP is the nation’s most important anti-hunger program and a primary source of nutrition assistance for millions of low-income families and children.

SNAP helps many different kinds of people

SNAP provides important nutritional support for low-paid working families, low-income older adults and people with disabilities living on fixed incomes, and other individuals and households with low incomes.

Infographic: SNAP is linked to better health and lower care costs

SNAP reduces the stress of not getting enough to eat, helps participants afford more nutritious food, and frees up money for them to buy medicine and engage in other healthy activities.

SNAP helps millions of low-wage workers feed their families

Some of the most common occupations in the country have low wages, unpredictable scheduling, and few benefits. Workers turn to SNAP to supplement low and fluctuating pay and to help them get by when they are between jobs.

More adequate SNAP benefits reduce food insecurity and improve long-term well-being

 In the bipartisan 2018 farm bill, Congress directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), which is used to set SNAP benefit levels, to more accurately reflect the cost of a healthy diet. This science-driven reevaluation increased the purchasing power of SNAP benefits effective in October 2021 for the first time in decades. The added benefits are helping families, including those with children, afford a healthy diet.

Brought to you by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities