NPR has a story up, “More Americans Hungry For Food Stamps,” about the rise in food stamp use over the past few years. As the economy weakened, people turned to this program to provide for their basic food needs. According to Marilyn Geewax, the author of the story, food stamp use is up 70 percent over the past four year. She writes:
At this time four years ago, before the recession hit, about 27 million people were using food stamps. Today 46 million get help through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — what most people call food stamps — which is roughly 15 percent of the population.
The problem is compounded by the fact that food prices have been rising even though wages have remained stagnant.
Included with the story is an audio link so that it possible to listen to the NPR report.
September 8, 2011 at 2:53 pm
[...] percent over the past four years. Today there are more than 44 million Americans on food stamps. (http://soc101.wordpress.com/2011/09/01/food-stamp-use-is-up-sharply/). When Barack Obama was sworn in, there were nearly 32 million Americans on food [...]
September 9, 2011 at 5:41 am
[...] percent over the past four years. Today there are more than 44 million Americans on food stamps. (http://soc101.wordpress.com/2011/09/01/food-stamp-use-is-up-sharply/). When Barack Obama was sworn in, there were nearly 32 million Americans on food [...]
September 11, 2011 at 2:34 pm
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[...]Food Stamp Use Is Up Sharply « Soc101[...]…
September 21, 2011 at 8:37 pm
[...] in the “system” are more noticeable than ever. Unemployment is around 23%. Food Stamp use is at 17%. Foreclosures continue at 4 million and counting. Today the Dow took a thumping [...]