April 17, 2012

Today in class we had a guest speak Nick Claussen who works for SNAP. SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, it used to be referred to as Food Stamps until they changed the name. SNAP is part of the Athens Community of Health and Human Services which also takes care of Food Assistance and Cash Assistance, they help with childcare, job training, they help with building resumes, and they do welfare as well. SNAP is funded by the federal government under the USDA. In Athens Country, they do not have a nutritional professional at their place of business. The USDA and the government does and that is who they get all of their nutrition information from. The program is planned, monitored, and evaluated by the USDA and the government. 
Like I said they changed the name of Food Stamps to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. They made this name change because the new name reflects the focus of nutrition and putting healthy foods within reach for low income households. This new name became effective in 2008. 

SNAP maximum allotments, deductions, and income eligibility standards are adjusted at the beginning of each Federal fiscal year. The changes are based on changes in the cost of living. Maximum allotments are calculated from the cost of a market basket based on the Thrifty Food Plan for a family of four, priced in June that year. The maximum allotments for households larger and smaller than four persons are determined using formulas that account for economies of scale. Smaller households get slightly more per person than the four-person household. Larger households get slightly less.Income eligibility standards are set by law. Gross monthly income limits are set at 130 percent of the poverty level for the household size. Net monthly income limits are set at 100 percent of poverty. So not just anyone can apply for Food Assistance, there are certain laws in place that say the requirements you must have before you are able to get them. Also, I noted earlier that people can get Cash Assistance as well, you can only receive Cash Assistance if you have children.   

People are now allowed to use their SNAP dollars at Farmers Market (most of them anyways). Athens county currently has the highest use of people using their SNAP dollars at the Athens Farmers Market. I think that is great because people are able to get fresh fruits and vegetables and that money goes straight back to the Athens community.  

I also found it interesting that you have to have a job in order to get SNAP. I like this idea because then it shows that people are trying to work and make a living, but they just need some extra help. Also, the SNAP dollars only last you about 3 weeks, if you span it out correctly so that is another reason why it is called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, because it is just supposed to help supplement until you get your next paycheck.