Thanks to a swift stroke of President Barack Obama's pen, Florida residents will see increased financial assistance in their monthly food stamp allotment starting this month.
On Feb. 14, Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - legislation that boosts the amount of economic relief families receive by at least $20 per person. Under the program, the more than 1.8 million Floridians currently enrolled to receive aid will see their EBT card's balance surge by as much as $24.
Additionally, the Food Stamp Program has been rebranded as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to highlight the nutrition information available for families to learn more about how to shop for healthy food while on a budget.
In the state of Florida, the portion of the population receiving government assistance for groceries jumped 31 percent from one year ago. The $34 million upgrade coming to SNAP is expected to generate $63 million in economic activity in Florida.
The Editorial Board is pleased to see components of Obama's economic recovery plan coming to fruition so close to home. As prices for staples such as milk and bread continue to put a dent in Floridians' wallets, the increase in financial assistance under SNAP will certainly help many families make ends meet. What makes the program a resounding success is the fact the state will see a significant economic gain - welcome news to countless struggling businesses.
While SNAP should not be deemed a cure-all for the many Americans going to bed hungry at night, the program is certainly a step in the right direction for the country.
