Even as negotiations proceed in Congress over a new farm bill likely
to contain a
large cut in food stamps, needy Americans who rely on the
program are confronting an immediate drop in benefits.
As of today, the boost to the federal food stamps program included in
the 2009 Economic Recovery Act expires, abruptly slashing benefit
levels that were already inadequate
for millions of poor children and their families, as well as
impoverished disabled and elderly people, who will now find it
significantly harder to afford adequate food.