The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Farmers’ Market Double Dollar Programs 1 The Food Stamp Program was a formed through the Food Stamp Act in 1964 with the main objective of promoting food security and preventing hunger, the program mainly target low-income households (Landers 1946). 2 Households were issued with redeemable coupons which they used to purchase food from approved retail stores. The selection criteria of households eligible for the program was based on the ability of the household to acquire food that met a standard nutritional diet. 3 Income standards were the key determinant in determining whether a household could meet the required nutritional diet 4 Evaluation of the program performance indicated that more focus had been put on consumer income inequality and food security with little efforts being made in improving nutrition and reducing nutrition-related health programs. 5 Reports indicated increased cases of obesity over time in low-income households, there was a correlation between the obesity increase the food stamp program (Charles). Households benefiting from the food stamp program having more disposable income that was used to purchase foodstuff linked to obesity and other dietary health problems. 6 The concern led to the redesigning of the Food Program to offer with a greater emphasis put on nutrition. In 2008, the Farm Bill was passed into law changing the Food Stamp Program to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The program mainly targets low-income households that have children, the elderly and the disabled. 7 Citizens who have a gross income that gets to 130% of the federal poverty line are eligible for the program. One has to apply for the program with the selection criteria varying from one state to another, one has to provide proof of income and also household expense before being approved for the program with a certification period that one is eligible to receive the benefits. (Shenkin & Jacobson 1562). 8 Undocumented immigrants and a large percentage of students in the US are not eligible for the program, the minimum benefit period for unemployed adults is three months. 9 The food purchase method on SNAP is based on the EBT system that allows beneficiaries to transfer funds from a federal account when making purchases from an approved retailer. To determine the viability of the redesigned SNAP program, pilot programs were carried out with Healthy Incentive Pilot (HIP) being one of the key programs. HIP tested on whether beneficiaries of the program would use the financial incentive to purchase fruits and vegetables. 10 Farmers benefited from the Food Insecurity and Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program since there was an increase in demand for fruits and vegetables. SNAP beneficiaries can only purchase products from markets licensed by the Food and Nutritional Service (FNS). 11 The growth of the farmers market is attributed.

1. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and
Farmers’ Market Double Dollar Programs
1
The Food Stamp Program was a formed through the Food Stamp
Act in 1964 with the main objective of promoting food security
and preventing hunger, the program mainly target low-income
households (Landers 1946).
2
Households were issued with redeemable coupons which they
used to purchase food from approved retail stores. The selection
criteria of households eligible for the program was based on the
ability of the household to acquire food that met a standard
nutritional diet.
3
Income standards were the key determinant in determining
whether a household could meet the required nutritional diet
4
Evaluation of the program performance indicated that more
focus had been put on consumer income inequality and food
security with little efforts being made in improving nutrition
and reducing nutrition-related health programs.

2. 5
Reports indicated increased cases of obesity over time in low-
income households, there was a correlation between the obesity
increase the food stamp program (Charles). Households
benefiting from the food stamp program having more disposable
income that was used to purchase foodstuff linked to obesity
and other dietary health problems.
6
The concern led to the redesigning of the Food Program to offer
with a greater emphasis put on nutrition.
In 2008, the Farm Bill was passed into law changing the Food
Stamp Program to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP). The program mainly targets low-income households
that have children, the elderly and the disabled.
7
Citizens who have a gross income that gets to 130% of the
federal poverty line are eligible for the program.
One has to apply for the program with the selection criteria
varying from one state to another, one has to provide proof of
income and also household expense before being approved for
the program with a certification period that one is eligible to
receive the benefits. (Shenkin & Jacobson 1562).

3. 8
Undocumented immigrants and a large percentage of students in
the US are not eligible for the program, the minimum benefit
period for unemployed adults is three months.
9
The food purchase method on SNAP is based on the EBT system
that allows beneficiaries to transfer funds from a federal
account when making purchases from an approved retailer.
To determine the viability of the redesigned SNAP program,
pilot programs were carried out with Healthy Incentive Pilot
(HIP) being one of the key programs.
HIP tested on whether beneficiaries of the program would use
the financial incentive to purchase fruits and vegetables.
10
Farmers benefited from the Food Insecurity and Nutrition
Incentive (FINI) program since there was an increase in demand
for fruits and vegetables.
SNAP beneficiaries can only purchase products from markets
licensed by the Food and Nutritional Service (FNS).
11

4. The growth of the farmers market is attributed to the
contribution made by the state, federal and local government in
providing the necessary resources for the program.
. Retailers in the farmers market should sell products that
require home preparation and sell directly to consumers from a
specific fixed location.
12
Through the double dollar program, local farmers in different
states are able to benefit from the SNAP program while the
beneficiaries are able to get a dollar for every purchase they
make using from the market farmers.
The Department of Agriculture’s Food Insecurity Incentive has
continuously provided funding for this program providing 50%
funding while the rest is funded by respective state
governments.
13
The SNAP program is not only a hunger and poverty
management program, but the program has also provided a
suitable model that enables faster circulation of money which
promotes economic growth as experienced during a recession
(GUTHRIE et al.).
14
Families are assured of food security as they work towards
being self-sufficient and attaining financial stability.
.The success and sustainability of the SNAP program, Farmer’s

5. Market and the Double Dollar programs will be determined by
government policies and funding.
15
Works Cited
Charles, Dan. “How 'Double Bucks' For Food Stamps
Conquered Capitol Hill.” NPR, NPR, 10 Nov. 2014,
www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/11/10/361803607/how-
double-bucks-for-food-stamps-conquered-capitol-hill.
Guthrie, Joanne et al. "Can Food Stamps Do More To Improve
Food Choices? An Economic Perspective." Economic
Information Bulletin No. (EIB-29) 2 pp 6.2 (2007): n. pag. Web.
Landers PS. The Food Stamp Program: History, nutrition,
education, and impact. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2007;107(11): 1945-
1951.
16
Popkin, Barry M. "The Challenge In Improving The Diets Of
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Recipients: A
Historical Commentary." American Journal of Preventive
Medicine 52.2 (2017): S106-S114. Web.
Shenkin, Jonathan D. and Michael F. Jacobson. “Using the Food
Stamp Program and Other Methods to Promote Healthy Diets for
Low-Income Consumers.” American Journal of Public Health,
vol. 100, no. 9, 2010, pp. 1562–1564.,
doi:10.2105/ajph.2010.198549.
17