Food Supplement Program

Cardinal Card (EBT)

The purpose of the Food Stamp Program is to alleviate hunger and malnutrition.  This is to be accomplished by permitting low-income households to obtain a more nutritious diet through normal channels of trade by increasing the food purchasing power for all eligible households who apply for participation. The intent of Congress as expressed by the Food Stamp Act of 1977 was to promote the general welfare, and to safeguard the health and well being of the nation's population by raising levels of nutrition among low-income households.  Its intent was also to help provide food in case of emergency and financial disasters.

The Food Supplement program is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture with Eligibility determination by the Department of Social Services.    Participants receive an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card to purchase food at the grocery store.