Food Stamp Access in Urban America: A City by City Snapshot
From: Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
This report evaluates food stamp usage in 25 of America's largest metropolitan areas. Information includes food stamp participation (usage rates, trends and enrollment gaps), characteristics of program participants, practices to expand food stamp access, an overview of hunger in US cities, and more.
SELECTED FINDINGS
* 62% of those qualified for food stamps enrolled in the food stamp program in the metro areas studied.
* Food stamp caseloads increased in 96% of the 25 metro areas studied between 2000-2005.
* Oakland and San Diego had the lowest participation rates (23% and 26%) among those qualifying for food stamps, while Memphis and Milwaukee had the highest (97% and 92%).
* New York and Los Angeles County each had over $400 million in unclaimed food stamp benefits in 2003.
* Almost 80% of food stamp households had at least one child in 2003.
* Almost 15% of households in central cities experienced some food insecurity in 2003.
http://www.frac.org/pdf/cities2005.pdf
