A Comparison of the Characteristics and Spending Patterns of Food Stamp Recipients and Nonrecipients

Abstract

[Excerpt] The Food Stamp Program is intended to assist eligible low income households to purchase food so that they can maintain a nutritious diet. Food Stamp benefits are distributed in the form of paper coupons or Electronic Benefit Cards. Food Stamp benefits can be used only to buy authorized food items at stores designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This report summarizes the characteristics and expenditures of consumer units (CUs) classified according to whether Food Stamps are received, and whether the CU includes minors (members under 18 years of age).