Food Stamps

Definition

“Food stamps” was the name for a federal food assistance program used from 1939 until it was rebranded as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) in 2008. The original program used paper coupons; modern SNAP benefits are delivered electronically through EBT cards. SNAP continues the same mission—helping low-income Americans buy food—but with updated technology and a stronger emphasis on nutrition.

Key Points

• Started in 1939 as a pilot to help both farmers and the unemployed. Originally used as physical coupons to buy food during the Great Depression.
• Modernized with the introduction of EBT cards in the 1990s–2000s.
• Renamed from “Food stamps” to SNAP to reduce stigma and better reflect its health mission.

FAQ

• Are food stamps still used?
  No. Paper food stamps have been replaced by SNAP EBT cards.
• Is SNAP the same thing as food stamps?
  Yes. SNAP is the modern version of the old Food Stamp Program.

Sources

• USDA FNS – www.fns.usda.gov/snap/history (Accessed October 2025)
• History.com – “The History of Food Stamps in America” (Accessed October 2025)