USDA estimates that in 2019, there were 22,000 active duty service members in households that received SNAP. Another 213,000 members of the Reserves/National Guard lived in households that received SNAP.
In good times and tough times, USDA’s nutrition assistance programs are among the most far-reaching, powerful tools available to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background, have access to healthy, affordable food.
Stewardship of federal funds is a basic expectation of American taxpayers and is critical to the ongoing success of nutrition assistance programs. FNS continuously works to detect, prevent, and minimize errors and improper payments, as well as fraud, waste, or abuse. In this way, FNS preserves public trust, enhances partner relationships, and provides excellent customer service to program participants.
SNAP E&T transforms lives of SNAP participants by connecting them to employment. It can help participants gain
the skills, training, and work experience needed to obtain and maintain regular employment. SNAP E&T includes participant assessments, case management, education and training activities, and supportive services.
SNAP-Ed is an evidence-based program that promotes healthy food choices, obesity prevention, and physical activity. SNAP-Ed teaches participants about good nutrition and how to make their food dollars stretch further.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and households via a monthly benefit on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, similar to a debit card, which can be used at authorized retailer stores to purchase food. SNAP is the largest Federal nutrition assistance program.
The Special Milk Program provides milk to children in schools, child care institutions, and eligible camps that do not participate in other Federal child nutrition programs. The SMP reimburses schools and institutions for the milk they serve. Schools participating in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs may serve milk through SMP to children enrolled in half-day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs if those children do not have access to the breakfast or lunch meal service.
FNS plays a vital role in providing supplemental nutrition assistance when disasters occur by coordinating with state, local, and voluntary organizations to: (1) provide food for shelters and other mass feeding sites, (2) distribute food packages directly to households in specific situations, (3) offer flexibility in nutrition assistance programs’ design and administration to continue providing benefits to participants in need, and (4) approve eligible states’ requests to operate a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
USDA/FNS has published in the Federal Register the Final Rule entitled “Employment and Training Opportunities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).” The rule makes a wide range of enhancements to the SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program, which helps participants gain the skills and work experience necessary to move towards—and into—employment.