But targeting low-income consumers - the food stamp and voucher users - has always been tricky, given the business model. Supermarkets have proven that, even in these trying times, they’re able to sell healthy food to price-sensitive shoppers. By next year, it’s estimated that one in eight will be on food stamps - as sure a sign as any that the economy, despite what analysts say, is still pretty rotten. Department of Agriculture show that 43 million Americans currently receive food stamps, up 6 million from a year ago.

Shoppers should particularly pay attention to items such as infant formula, diapers and baby wipes that have experienced shortages in the past few weeks.It’s hard to eat healthy over the holiday season, and for many people this isn’t just a matter of willpower. Instead, the association recommends consumers keep others in mind as they shop by not hoarding and being conscious of WIC labels on items. That's because not all food assistance recipients will be shopping on the same days. WIC benefits in Texas are issued at the beginning of each month.īut since other posts are circulating without specific states attached to them, and because not all states issue WIC or SNAP benefits at the beginning of the month, those claims could easily be taken out of context and provide false information.įor that reason, any sweeping call to avoid grocery shopping on the first three days of the month because that's when people receive benefits can paint an inaccurate picture.Īlthough avoiding a grocery store so people on WIC and SNAP can have more room is likely well-intentioned, advocates with the National WIC Association aren't recommending avoiding a grocery store entirely during those times. In Texas, they are staggered over the first 15 days. In Iowa, SNAP benefits are staggered over the first 10 days of each month. States distribute WIC and SNAP benefits at different times of the month. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, provides benefits to needy families to help them purchase food. SNAP served about 35.7 million Americans in 2019, according to USDA data.

Shoppers use either electronic benefit transfer cards or paper vouchers to purchase WIC-eligible items, which in some states carry specific markings in stores. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a federal grant program that provides nutritious foods and education to low-income women during and after pregnancy, as well as to their children up to age 5. WIC served an average of 6.4 million Americans in 2019, according to the U.S. Shortages of WIC items during the coronavirus outbreak

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