America on Food Stamps

From Reuters:

Food stamps, the main U.S. antihunger program which helps the needy buy food, set a record in September as more than 31.5 million Americans used the program -- up 17 percent from a year ago.

The number of people using food stamps in September surpassed the previous peak of 29.85 million seen in November 2005 when victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma received emergency benefits, said Jean Daniel of the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service.

"It's a disturbing trend," said Ellen Vollinger, legal director with the Food Research and Action Center.
She expects more people will turn to food stamps as unemployment rises and the economy remains weak.

One in 10 Americans were participating in the food stamp program as of September.

Read the rest of the Reuters article here.