Question 10.2
10.2 Food stamp participation. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federal program that provides money to be spent on food to eligible low-income individuals and families. The following table gives the percent of the population receiving benefits.
SNAP-ED/USDA
| Date | Rate (%) | Date | Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.12 | 1980 | 9.28 |
| 1972 | 5.29 | 1982 | 9.37 |
| 1974 | 6.01 | 1984 | 8.84 |
| 1976 | 8.51 | 1986 | 8.09 |
| 1978 | 7.19 | 1988 | 7.63 |
| 1990 | 8.04 | 2004 | 8.13 |
| 1992 | 9.96 | 2006 | 8.90 |
| 1994 | 10.55 | 2008 | 9.28 |
| 1996 | 9.63 | 2010 | 13.03 |
| 1998 | 7.32 | 2012 | 14.85 |
| 2000 | 6.09 | 2014 | 14.59 |
| 2002 | 6.64 |
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Make a line graph of these data and comment on any patterns you observe.
10.2
The percent of the population receiving SNAP benefits rose sharply between 1970 and 1976, then remained relatively stable (rising and falling slightly) until 1994. From 1994 to 2000, there was a sharp decline, followed by a sharp increase in participation through 2014.