The Opportunities and Threats to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is effective at addressing food security, reducing poverty, improving health outcomes, responding to natural disasters and economic downturns, and providing economic stimulus. However, research indicates that SNAP could be more effective at addressing nutrition. Stakeholders across nutrition, public health, and anti-hunger groups have made various expert recommendations. Further, SNAP faces a number of regulatory threats that would decrease access to the program. This session will discuss the opportunities and threats to SNAP by reviewing the evidence base and expert recommendations across different stakeholders, and will examine policy proposals by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to amend SNAP.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the impact SNAP has on poverty, food insecurity, diet quality, and health outcomes.
- Identify at least three regulatory challenges for access to SNAP.
- Identify at least three recommendations for supporting better nutrition through SNAP.
Performance Indicators:
- 12.5.4 Develops recommendations considering
evaluation data, needs of the population, trending
data, cost-benefit analysis and funding source. - 3.3.2 Increases public awareness of the importance
of nutrition and public welfare. - 12.1.1 Promotes nutrition programs and resources
to address issues of food security, nutritional health
and overall health and wellness.
Jessi Silverman, MSPH, RD
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Josh Protas, MA
Vice President of Public Policy
MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
Cassandra Ramos, PhD
Policy Associate
Center for Science in the Public Interest