garden with SNAP benefits
Strawberry Barrel (Container gardening)

SNAP Benefits

Do you know what SNAP Benefits are? The acronym stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) once known as food stamps. This is an entitlement program used to assist people who are experiencing difficulties affording food.

During the financial crisis that started with the housing market crash in 2006-2008 many families needed this program. Not only were the housing prices compromised, but food costs grew. During these years we have experienced many factors including weather, economics and demand to increase costs constantly. The market has impacted the number of grocery stores as well.

By 2013 we began hearing about federal and state governments cutting back on these types of programs because they can’t support them.

Between grocery stores closing and a higher demand on aid programs our nation has developed a new issue. Food deserts.

Food deserts

According to the USDA a food desert is any urban area that lacks access to fresh, healthy, affordable foods within 1 mile. In a rural area access must be within 10 miles. The USDA does not consider access to fast food or convenience stores adequate access.

A recent news story shared how local farmers were developing mobile farmers markets to increase access to fresh foods in food deserts. It is nice to hear that farmers are taking the initiative in an era of fast food and convenient living.  

What is healthy food though?

According to the USDA website they define eligible foods as “any food or food product for home consumption and also includes seeds and plants which produce food for consumption by SNAP households.”

I am glad to see that our government recognizes that fast foods should not be considered healthy or affordable. Why then can people use SNAP benefits at a convenience store, especially when they are considered part of the food desert? I am sure many of us have witnessed people purchasing items that we don’t feel should be eligible for SNAP, but unfortunately with this broad definition almost anything that humans consume is eligible.

Making Change

Several years ago, I also fell victim to the financial crisis and was struggling to make ends meet. I was working part time but couldn’t afford my bills. I did apply for every possible program to see if I could get some help. Unfortunately, because I was working part time, I didn’t qualify for much. SNAP was the only program I could get assistance from and my monthly allotment was $16. Luckily shortly after I was notified my situation changed and I didn’t need to use the benefits. That experience made me realize that something needs to change. How are we helping anyone when we make them sit for hours and wait weeks to maybe get some assistance?

Sitting in that waiting area they had TV’s running with daytime talk shows on. One simple change, tune in something about building or gardening. Help people see that they can gain a simple skill. I didn’t know you could by seeds or plants with SNAP until I started researching this article. Maybe educate these people about gardening.  

The USDA website reports that 23.5 million people receive these benefits. I realize that many people may not have access to land to plant a garden, but there are options. People can use containers, or what about encouraging a landlord to allow a community garden.

I truly feel we need to embrace the Chinese proverb Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Who knows maybe people would take more pride in their community if they had a garden to tend?

Please feel free to share your thoughts below.

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