Notes that about 19 million people received food stamps each month in 2002, and the average monthly benefit was $173 per household. Slightly over half of all participants were children, 40 percent were nonelderly adults, and 9 percent were elderly people.

This policy brief suggests that efforts by policymakers to lower children’s fat intakes appear to be succeeding, but that high intakes of dietary fat and added sugars remain a cause for concern. Other problem areas include an increase in soda consumption, especially low levels of vitamin...

This report provides technical documentation for food stamp estimates included in the pamphlet, "Reaching Those In Need: Food Stamp Participation Rates in the States in 2003," and the report, "State Food Stamp Participation Rates for the Working Poor in 2003."