Dear Friends,

The Coalition Against Hunger team applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for their announcement today of a long overdue revision of the Thrifty Food Plan, which will result in an update to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as of October 1. This was the first revision of the Thrifty Food Plan, which is used to calculate the benefits, since it was introduced in 1975. Much has changed in 45 years, including nutrition standards, food costs, what Americans typically eat, and the amount of time we have to prepare meals. This much needed update has enabled USDA to calculate the current realistic costs of eating a healthy diet.

At the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, we’ve known for years that the SNAP benefits are not sufficient. Time and time again we hear from people calling into our SNAP Hotline that the benefits they receive are not enough to get them through the month. We are very pleased that the USDA has completed a comprehensive analysis of the Thrifty Food Plan, updated it based on a data-review, and has subsequently increased SNAP benefits so that families can access a practical, nutritious, and cost-effective diet. This increase is based on pre-pandemic SNAP benefit levels and excludes the current 15% increase from the American Recovery Plan (set to expire Sept. 30) and SNAP Emergency Allotments (anticipated to continue until the end of December), provided as part of the pandemic relief.

While there is still work to be done to end hunger, this is a big step in the right direction that will not only help improve food security and nutrition for the 1 in 8 Americans using the SNAP program, but also reduce health care costs, aid in economic recovery by growing the food economy, and much more.

Read the full USDA press release, here. And be sure to keep a lookout for our email next week, with more details on the revised Thrifty Food Plan and how it will impact SNAP benefits.