Here’s what the change could mean for food security among SNAP participants.
About 38 million Americans receive vouchers to buy groceries at supermarkets and farmers markets through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Starting this week, some participants will also be able to shop for food online, at Amazon, Walmart, and ShopRite.
The two-year pilot program is starting in New York, and will soon expand to Alabama, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington State. United States Department of Agriculture officials say this program could revolutionize access for its participants, more than half of whom experience food insecurity. “We look forward to monitoring how these pilots increase food access and customer service to those we serve, specifically those who may experience challenges in visiting brick and mortar stores,” Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said in a statement on Thursday.
Heres what the change could mean for food security among SNAP recipients.
One in seven Americans participates in SNAP, receiving an average of $150 every month to buy groceries, according to the most recent USDA data.
Around one-fifth of these recipients have very low levels of food security.
