Rescued by the USDA Nutrition Program

Almost everyone who lives in the industrialized world has fallen on bad times at least once. Even the most successful celebrity or athlete is not protected from finding themselves in need of help. When I was a teenager I found myself with no job, no food and only one quarter to my name. Fortunately, the United States Department of Agriculture Nutrition Program, more commonly known as the Food Stamp Program, was there to rescue me and many like me.

The History

In 1939, during America’s most famous financial depression, the first Food Stamp Program was initiated. It came to the attention of Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace that there were large amounts of surplus food that was going to waste while millions of Americans were starving. This rescue nutrition program issued colored tickets, orange for any food or blue for surplus. The program was terminated in 1943 when the nation’s economy began to turn around for the better.

After years of reports, studies, nutrition analysis, haggling and congressional arguing, a pilot food stamp nutrition program was reinstated in 1961 for another four years by the Eisenhower administration then extended by President Kennedy. The first permanent program was signed into law by President Johnson in 1964. It is a federal program but individual states have variations on the theme.

Who is Eligible

The laws in your state may vary from a neighboring state as to who is eligible for the USDA nutrition program. Most unemployed, disabled on a low income, homeless, or self employed on a low income are eligible for the food stamp program. The applications are available on line and can be downloaded or printed out. You cannot apply on line at this time you must mail or take it in to Social Services to be interviewed to see if you qualify. Applicants have to provide proof of income – pay stubs, bank books, bank statements, or other income – that will be reviewed to determine eligibility. Discrimination against anyone for racial or religious reasons is strictly forbidden by law but some reasons for poverty are not tolerated, notably the fact that strikers cannot apply for this nutrition program.

How it Works

Once you have been approved, the amount of money you are qualified for is deposited in a federal bank account and you are issued a sort of credit card called an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card. In the past actual paper tickets in different cash increments were issued in a packet similar in appearance to travel checks or discount coupons. The EBT card was first issued in 1984 and is now used in most states except California where cash is distributed. You are allowed to buy only food products. There is no nutritional analysis applied to the types of food you purchase, junk food and snacks are not discriminated against; however, in some states you can only buy the cheapest kinds of some foods like milk or eggs. So, the fact that a nutrition program was created for the purpose of rescuing the children and adults of America who are in need; it is no guarantee of good health or a stable diet. It remains a matter of choice.