The food stamp program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), aims to provide assistance to eligible low-income families and individuals, helping them buy the food they need. However, not everyone who qualifies for food stamps are able to apply and receive much-needed help. Part of this reason is a lack of awareness, which means that there are still those who do not know who to contact or where to apply to receive SNAP benefits.

Because of the desperate times we’re in, stronger efforts are needed to make sure that people who need food stamp benefits are able to receive benefits.

The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provides Partnership and Outreach programs for various organizations to increase awareness and improve the access to affordable and nutritious food. Non-profit and faith-based organizations are encouraged to participate in partnership and outreach programs.

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Churches can cooperate with their local SNAP office and inquire about outreach opportunities they can assist with. This includes helping individuals fill out application forms. They also order SNAP posters, flyers and other informative materials used to help educate people in need about SNAP. This interaction with the community is vital since many people in need are still completely unaware of the application process and eligibility guidelines of the food stamp program. As a result, many people who would have qualified for SNAP aren’t getting the help they need.

Aside from informing people about the application process, faith-based organizations will also be in a perfect position to educate individuals about healthy eating.

*You can learn about additional nutrition information and other affordable and easy-to-prepare recipes provided by the recipe finder of the United States Department of Agriculture.

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You may be eligible for Emergency SNAP if:

• Your gross monthly income plus any cash that you have on hand or in the bank is less than your rent plus your utilities.
• Your gross monthly income is less than $150 and any cash that you have on hand or in the bank is less than $100.
• You earn your income from migrant or seasonal farm work and any cash that you have on hand or in the bank are less than $100.

You have to contact your local DTA office (Department of Transitional Assistance) to apply for emergency food stamps. During the application process, applicants must present valid identification. Most offices prefer photo identification but they are willing to accept other forms of identification.

Emergency SNAP benefits last only for a month. After that period, you will need to apply for regular food stamps to continue receiving food assistance.

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Fortunately, organizations like the Wholesome Wave Foundation are looking for ways to make healthy food more accessible to people in need.

Founded by Chef Michel Nischan, the goal of Wholesome Wave is to help nourish neighborhoods by supporting the production and access to healthy and fresh locally grown food items. By doing so, the programs of Wholesome Wave Foundation will not only help feed the hungry, but also help generate an economic stimulus for local communities.

Wholesome Wave and the Food Stamp Program

To see how Wholesome Wave achieves its goals, it’s best to look at its core Nourishing Neighborhood Program: the Double Value Coupon Program. As the name suggests, the program doubles the value of Federal Food Stamps when the beneficiary purchases healthy foods from participating Farmers’ Markets nationwide. The added benefit becomes an incentive for consumers to shop for healthy food in local markets. As a result, consumers are able to eat a healthier diet while local farmers earn more revenue.

The concept of the program improves the effectiveness of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP) and the Senior FMNP. 
So far, there are currently 60 markets located in 12 states (California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, D.C.) that participate in the Double Value Coupon Program.

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Research Online – Most stores have their own website. Skim through these websites and research about their prices, sales, coupons and all other details that can help you cut down on your food costs. Make a list based on your research and be sure to stick to this list when you shop.

Plan meals – Plan your meals during the week. This will help you use leftovers rather than just throw them away.
Shop alone – This will help you stick to your list. Having your kids with you can prove to be distracting since they usually won’t stop asking you to buy whatever items or sweet treats they want. You will end up buying more items than you intended.

Eat first – Be sure that you’ve already eaten a meal before going shopping, since people tend to buy more food products when they shop hungry.

Don’t wander the grocery – Make it a point to stay only in the aisles that have the items you need. If you keep wandering into other areas, you may be tempted to buy on impulse.

Do not settle for eye-level products – Items you can conveniently see in the store shelves are usually more expensive. Try looking up and down so you can choose the most affordable products.

Buy store brands – Generic products are much cheaper than branded items making, it much easier to cut down on food costs.

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Don’t rush to the grocery – You don’t have to spend your food stamp benefits as soon as you receive them in your EBT card. Leftover benefits won’t expire. They will be carried over in the following month. With that in mind, be sure that you plan your groceries carefully so you can make the most out of the benefits.

Capitalize on frequent shopper offers – If you like shopping at popular grocery stores, inquire about “frequent-shopper” offers. Frequent shoppers usually get special discounts on items in the groceries. That’s very important when trying to cut down on food costs.

Use the sale flyer to your benefit – Knowing which items are on sale can help you maximize your savings. If you’re into collecting coupons, you may want to match the coupons with the items on the flyer to increase your discounts further. Be careful, though. Some people end up buying items just because they’re on sale. Stick to your grocery list. Only buy discounted items on your list. Anything beyond that is a waste of money.

Don’t forget your local farmers’ markets – If you need fresh, affordable produce, your local farmers’ market is a great option. More farmers’ markets are now capable of accepting food stamps.

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Don’t eat out – It’s convenient to eat fast food fare during lunch breaks. Unfortunately, it’s also a fast way to burn money. As much as possible, eliminate eating out entirely. Bring homemade packed lunches to work instead. Also, avoid slipping coins into those vending machines for that occasional soda or quick snack. Those “little expenses” do add up.

DYI as much as you can – People readily buy convenience foods to save time on cooking. However, there are many frugal recipes available in books and online that provide meals you can prepare in under 30 minutes. Cooking good food is always much cheaper than buying convenience foods. While it takes a little more effort, the money you save overall is well worth it.

Make it a habit to compare prices – When you shop, always take time to compare prices. Know which items are the most affordable. Remember, low-cost food items don’t necessarily mean low quality. Local store brands, for instance, sell for less than branded items. However, these local brands still possess very good quality.  

Collect coupons – Don’t shy away from taking advantage of coupons. They’re a great way to cut down on food costs. However, use coupons only on items that you need to buy. Some people make the mistake of buying items just because they have coupons for them. If you get into this habit, you’ll end up spending more. Discipline yourself and avoid such impulse purchases.

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Eggs – A dollar can buy you six eggs that provide protein, antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin.

Oats – Your body needs high fiber and complex carbohydrates. Studies have shown that oats can reduce your cholesterol. One dollar may be sufficient to buy you a week’s worth of breakfast.

Kale – This dark, leafy vegetable contains high amounts of vitamin-C, carotenoids and calcium.

Broccoli – This vegetable is loaded with health goodies such as vitamin-A, vitamin-C, potassium, folate, fiber and other phytonutrients that help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Spinach – It’s cheap, readily available in most groceries and it’s loaded with vitamin-C, iron and trace minerals.

Potatoes – If you’re willing to avoid French fries or the other deep fried varieties, potatoes are actually very healthy, being excellent sources of potassium, vitamin-C and beta-carotene. 

Nuts – Nuts have vitamin-E, protein and essential fatty acids. Control your intake, though, since nuts do have a high fat content.

Garbanzo Beans – Already loaded with protein, fiber, iron and folate, garbanzo beans also contain manganese, which reduces cholesterol levels. If you’re not fond of this food choice, lentils and lima beans are good substitutes.

Apples – One of these a day really does keep the doctor away. Apples are a very good source of pectin, which helps reduce cholesterol. They also contain decent amounts of vitamin-C.

Bananas – These healthy treats are very high in potassium and fiber.

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Times are indeed tough and the government is doing all it can to provide much-needed assistance to struggling citizens. In some places, SNAP guidelines are even being modified to fit the current economic landscape. These days, “people in need” don’t just include the homeless and the destitute. A person with a job, a car or a house can still be eligible to receive their food stamp EBT card.

Hence, if you are facing financial difficulties, do not hesitate to apply for food stamps.

Sign up on the box at the right for food stamp application guidelines, contact information for your state plus other sources of financial help available in your city.

It helps you lose weight – Water flushes out the byproducts of fat breakdown from the food you eat. It also suppresses your hunger, which means you’ll tend to eat less.

It Improves digestion – Water also increases your metabolism, which is important for your digestive system.

It helps prevent some cancers – Studies show that water dilutes the concentration of cancer-causing agents in your urine. Drinking a healthy amount of water each day can help you prevent bladder cancer. Some studies also suggest that water is also a factor in preventing colon cancer.

It improves organ functions – Your body needs water to flush out toxins and waste products, so your organs can operate more efficiently. 

It prevents ailments because of dehydration – A surprising number of people don’t drink at least two liters of water each day. Many suffer the effects of mild dehydration, which causes headaches, back pain, cramps and sprains. Before resorting to your favorite painkillers, you may want to drink water first. In many cases, your body was simply lacking water.
It improves your skin’s health – Water moisturizes the skin and replenishes skin tissues. You’ll look younger.

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