At Community Food Share, we empower our neighbors to overcome life’s setbacks. In a year when grocery prices rose at a record pace, we’ve added a new service to help community members make their budgets go further: SNAP outreach and application assistance. Previously known as food stamps, SNAP carries some misperceptions and myths, so we’re here to help you get the facts.

What is SNAP?

It’s our country’s largest hunger-relief program, and it’s administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) receive monthly funds (provided on a debit card) that can be spent exclusively on groceries.

How can SNAP funds be spent?

Participants can spend their monthly SNAP allowance on food items at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized food retailers. The Double Up Food Bucks program doubles the value of SNAP benefits spent on produce at participating locations. Locally, a participant can get $20 matched for a total of $40 to spend at the Broomfield and Boulder County Farmers Markets — helping people bring home more fruits and vegetables while supporting local farmers.

Who uses SNAP?

People living in households with low incomes are eligible for SNAP. The program primarily supports children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

How does SNAP benefit the community?

The program benefits all of us. In addition to improving food access, SNAP generates and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, particularly in communities where economic boosts are needed most. A growing body of research has shown that SNAP also lowers health care costs, improves academic achievement in kids, and helps seniors live stable independent lives.

Why Community Food Share supports SNAP:

Along with the many reasons listed above, we know that the charitable food system cannot solve hunger alone. Community Food Share and our 40+ Partner Agencies are part of Feeding America, a network of 200 food banks serving every county in the nation. Our collective impact is only a fraction of SNAP’s effect on ending hunger: for every meal that the Feeding America network distributes, SNAP provides nine.

Sources:

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; Colorado Department of Human Services; Feeding America; Union of Concerned Scientists