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T he Food Stamp Program provided a basic safety net to more than 19 million low-income people in fiscal year 2002. The goal of the program is to alleviate hunger and malnutrition by permitting low-income households to obtain a more nutritious diet through normal channels of trade. An eligible low-income family receives monthly coupons or an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card which can be used to purchase food. In order be eligible to receive food stamps, most households must have incomes below 130 percent of the federal poverty line ($1,654 per month for a family of three in most places, effective Oct. 1, 2003 through Sept. 30, 2004).
U.S. Department of Agriculture: A Brief History of the Food Stamp Program
America's Second Harvest
Bread for the World
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Congressional Hunger Center
Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
Share Our Strength
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