Answer to Question #204558 in Microeconomics for C. Jones

Question

Discuss the policy and funding issues underlying food assistance programs in the U.S. (2). Should the program be more of a nutrition program or serve as an income maintenance benefit? (3). Should the program limit food choices? If so why and to what extent? (4) What responsibilities, if any, should participants of the program be expected to meet?

Answer 1

1.The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) manages 15 federal nutrition assistance programs, including WIC, SNAP, and school meals, in order to combat hunger and obesity.

2.It should be more of a nutrition program.

3. The program should limit food choices by reducung the amount of junk foods that can be purchased by SNAP participants.

4. General working criteria apply to persons 16 to 59 years of age who are exempt from participating in the program, caring for children under 6 and disabled persons, disabled persons and drug rehabilitation persons. Such recipients must work 30 hours a week, register for employment or take part in state training; if they are working, leaving, or rejecting their offer for jobs without good reason, they cannot cut their working hour by less than 30 per week. The 80-hour job, voluntary, workfare and training of staff is required for able-bodied persons aged 18 to 49 without dependents under 18 and not pregnant.