For over 30 years, the Supplement
Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, has
served as the foundation of America’s national nutrition safety net, working to
end hunger and improve the health of low-income people by helping families buy
the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet. In South Carolina over
100,000 households depend on SNAP each month to get the food they need for good
health.
For children, a better diet means better learning in school. For adults, it
means better performance on the job or a better foundation for developing the
job skill that can give them and their family’s independence. For seniors, it
means access to a balanced diet vital to their nutritional well-being. For
everyone, participation in SNAP can help stretch limited budgets, improve
nutrition, and reduce the risk of diet-related health problems.
Families, people living alone, and people living with roommates use SNAP
benefits. People who are homeless can get SNAP benefits, too.
Many local farmers markets in the region accept SNAP Program benefits for purchase of eligible items offered by market vendors. The most common method for benefit utilization is through a market token system. SNAP participants are allowed to spend tokens with all participating vendors. See market manager for details.