The Food Assistance Landscape

6 Pages Posted: 12 Jul 2005

See all articles by Victor Oliveira

Victor Oliveira

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Economic Research Service (ERS)

Date Written: March 2005

Abstract

Expenditures for USDA's 15 food assistance programs totaled $46 billion in fiscal 2004 (October 1, 2003, to September 30, 2004), marking the second consecutive year in which spending exceeded the previous record high. The fiscal 2004 spending level represented a 10-percent increase from the previous fiscal year, the fourth consecutive year in which total food assistance expenditures increased. Five programs - the Food Stamp Program, the National School Lunch Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the School Breakfast Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program - accounted for 94 percent of USDA's total expenditures for food assistance. While each of these major programs expanded during fiscal 2004, most of the increase in total food assistance expenditures between fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2004 was due to the increase in Food Stamp Program expenditures.

Suggested Citation

Oliveira, Victor, The Food Assistance Landscape (March 2005). USDA-ERS Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Report No. 28-6, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=754764 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.754764

Victor Oliveira (Contact Author)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Economic Research Service (ERS) ( email )

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