Food stamp recipients increased 2.2 percent in 2013, the smallest growth since 2007

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps, was a key sticking point in the Farm Bill passed that last month. The Republican House wanted to cut the program by $40 billion over 10 years, but cut it by $8.6 billion over the next decade. How important are food stamps to Americans? A report by the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that participation in the program has risen 13 straight years, though the growth rate from 2012 to 2013 was the lowest since 2007, the beginning of the Great Recession.

In 2013, the program  grew by 2.2 percent, adding 1 million new participants, for a total 47.6 million, Tim Marema reports for the Daily Yonder. The average benefit per person fell from $133.41 per month to $133.08, and "Total expenditures on SNAP climbed 1.8 percent to $79.8 billion in fiscal year 2013." (Read more) (ERS graphic)