Food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are a government assistance program that provides low-income individuals and families with financial support to purchase food. In Visalia, California, food stamps are administered by the Tulare County Department of Social Services.
SNAP benefits are essential for many low-income households in Visalia, as they help to reduce food insecurity and improve nutritional outcomes. A study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that SNAP lifted 4.7 million people out of poverty in 2020, including 2.1 million children. SNAP benefits also have a positive impact on the local economy, as they generate economic activity in grocery stores and other food retailers.