Welcome back, Experiencers,

I have spoken on earlier blog posts about how the exercise has made me confront food access and luxury that I’ve taken for granted. Today, an early class on a cold morning prompted a particular longing for coffee (or a hot beverage of any kind, really). This is the sixth day of drinking only water, something I would’ve never considered to be so great a factor when I was drafting my grocery list. I thought only about the variety, nutrition, and caloric measure of food. However, while regretting my oversight of liquids, I began to wonder if I should have taken water for granted and excluded it from the budget. More than two million Americans lack running water and indoor plumbing in their homes (Jagannathan, 2019). How much food would I no longer be able to afford, if I also had to buy a gallon of water for the week?

Increasing SNAP budgets by only $46.50 per month per person would bridge the gap between what low-income people currently receive in benefits and what they need for the average low-income meal (Gunderson & Thompson, 2018). This could make a world of difference, not only for those who rely on SNAP benefits, but for the economy at large. According to a 2008 report conducted by chief economist Mark Zandi, every $1 in SNAP expenditures generates $1.73 in real GDP increase, making it a highly effective stimulus for the economy (Zandi, 2008). In 2010, a report from the USDA’s Economic Research Service found similar results: that a $1 billion increase in SNAP expenditures increases GDP by $1.79 billion (Hanson, 2010). Simply put, the money that exchanges hands through the SNAP program facilitates economic growth.

Who are these people that are not receiving the funds for a basic meal? In 2018, approximately 40 million Americans received SNAP benefits. To be eligible, households must earn 130% or less of the federal poverty level while also holding less than $2,250 in a bank account or other resources (Falk & Aussenberg, 2014). In addition, people 16-59 (except for students, caregivers, and disabled individuals) must work a minimum of 30 hours a week (Falk & Aussenberg, 2014). Only citizens and legal immigrants who’ve either lived in the country 5+ years, receive disability assistance, or have children under 18 qualify (Falk & Aussenberg, 2014). Despite these strict regulations for eligibility, not all who make the cuts are receiving SNAP benefits. People must apply, and to do this, must know that the option is available to them. Therefore, I am including a link for more information about eligibility here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility

SOURCES

Jagannathan, M. (November 2019). 2 million Americans don’t have access to running water and basic plumbing. Market Watch. Retrieved from https://www.marketwatch.com/story/2-million-americans-dont-have-access-to-running-water-and-basic-plumbing-2019-11-20

Gundersen, E. W. C., & Thompson, M. (2018). How Far Do SNAP Benefits Fall Short of Covering the Cost of a Meal?.

Zandi, M. M. (2008). Assessing the macro economic impact of fiscal stimulus 2008. Moody’s Economy. com.

Hanson, K. (2010). The Food Assistance National Input-Output Multiplier (FANIOM) Model and Stimulus Effects of SNAP. Washington DC: US Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, Report No. ERR-103.

Falk, G., & Aussenberg, R. A. (2014). The supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP): Categorical eligibility.