Making SNAP Decisions
Study Examines Choices Made by Households Receiving Federal Assistance
MILWAUKEE, July 21, 2015 - Approximately 50 million Americans currently receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The goal of the program, formerly known as Food Stamps, is to help provide people with the opportunity to purchase healthy foods.
Supporters say it’s a huge success. Critics counter SNAP is doing the opposite by leading to binge eating, purchasing unhealthy foods, and contributing to the country’s obesity crisis.
Which claim is correct? That’s the focus of a new study entitled “Household Consumption Responses to SNAP Participation” by Shaheer Burney of the University of Kentucky.
“The goal has always been keeping households food-secure,” Burney says, “but we’re also looking at making healthy choices as well. For the most part we’re heading in the right direction.”
Can SNAP prove to be a helpful link to healthy eating? This presentation will be given July 27th during the 2015 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.
Contact: Allison Scheetz
Senior Communications Manager
(414) 918-3190
Email: ascheetz@aaea.org