In 2009 one in eight Americans living below the poverty line, which meant they were qualified for food stamps. With food prices rising at the highest rate and fast food being the only affordable option for low-income families, the food stamp program tries to provide nutrition education and food assistance. This situation is being covered in the documentary Food Stamped, directed by Shira Potash and Yoav Potash, where the couple tries to highlight the main shortcomings of the food stamp program.
One of the key takeaways of the food stamped program is that people from low-income families cannot afford to buy healthy, organic food. The maximum food stamp allotment in 2009 was 200$ a month, while the minimum was 10$. This amount is barely enough to make up a nutritious and healthy diet that would keep the person energized throughout the day. As a result, families only have the chance to buy cheaper food, and as Shira Potash puts it, “you get what you pay for.”
Another key takeaway outlined in the documentary is the growing rate of obesity. While the study from 2009 showed that one in three children in the USA were overweight, several studies linked obesity to lower income. Jim McGovern, a US Congressman, says: “The less nutritious the food, the cheaper it is, the more you can afford.” Because the government subsidizes such commodity crops as corn, wheat, soybean, and rice, products like high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oil are cheaper than fresh fruits and vegetables that do not receive any subsidy payments. As a result, it is easier for lower-income families to buy cheap food rich in calories and sugar instead of buying expensive organic food and dividing it into small portions to make it through the week.
According to the new policy, the average benefit, which was $121 before Covid, will increase by $36 a month, which may positively impact vulnerable groups. Families will be able to afford to buy more fruits and vegetables from local stores and farmers’ markets and diversify their diet.