Food insecurity and the food stamp program

This paper addresses two aspects of food insecurity. First is the nature of food insecurity in the United States and the central role that food and food expenditures (household resources devoted to food) play in the conceptualization of poverty and well-being. The second aspect relates to the linkage between food insecurity and food assistance programs. Here, the question is whether determination of food insecurity and program participation are independent of each other or whether households are motivated by common behaviors that determine food insecurity outcomes and program participation. The final section of the paper considers the current environment, both economic and programmatic, and highlights some of the implications for other research.