Issues in Food Assistance. How Do Food Assistance Programs Improve the Well-Being of Low-Income Families

摘要

Benefits and costs are important considerations when making program decisions. In 2000, the direct costs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's three largest food assistance programs (food stamps, school meals, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)) were $28 billion. While the costs of these programs are readily measurable, it is more difficult to estimate the value of the benefits for program participants. The Economic Research Service recently conducted several studies examining how food assistance programs affect the well-being of low-income families. The studies looked specifically at several dimensions of well-being, including food security, nutrient intake, food expenditures, and poverty.