Families face tough times.

PositionTRENDS AND TRANSITIONS - Brief article

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States are feeling the impact of hard economic times as more people turn to food stamps to put meals on the table. The Congressional Budget Office predicts that some 28 million people will be using food stamps by October--the highest level since the program's inception more than 40 years ago.

Food stamp benefits have not kept pace with the rising price of food. They average $1 a person per meal and the minimum monthly food stamp benefit has remained at $10 for the past 30 years. Households with more than $3,000 in assets--such as cash or savings--might not qualify.

The Food Stamp Program is funded through the farm bill, which is being renegotiated between the U.S. House and Senate. The tentative agreement would raise spending on nutrition programs by...

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