Food stamps originated during the late 1930s as a government effort to reduce agricultural surpluses while alleviating hunger. The first Food Stamp Program (FSP) began in 1939, with stamps issued starting in April 1939 and first redemptions around May 1939; the program continued for about four years before winding down in 1943 as wartime conditions changed the agricultural and employment landscape. The modern successor to this program is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), established later in the 1960s and reformed through the Food Stamp Act of 1964 and subsequent updates.
Key milestones
- 1939: First Food Stamp Program implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to address farm surpluses and rural poverty. Orange stamps covered most foods while blue stamps were restricted to surplus produce; the program reached millions and operated for nearly four years.
- 1964: Food Stamp Act signed into law, launching the modern SNAP framework that expanded and reorganized food assistance efforts in the United States.
- 1960s onward: SNAP evolved through amendments and expansions to become the nationwide program known today for aiding millions of households each month.
Notes and context
- The original 1939 program was tied to the economic conditions of the Great Depression, with the goal of bridging a gap between farm surpluses and hunger. It ended when those conditions improved during World War II.
- The term “Food Stamps” refers to the historic-specified paper stamps; “SNAP” is the contemporary name for the program that provides benefits via electronic benefit transfers (EBTs). The shift from the old stamp system to SNAP occurred as part of reforms beginning in the 1960s and formalized by later legislation.
If you’d like, I can provide a concise timeline with exact dates and a quick comparison of the 1939 FSP and the 1964 SNAP framework.
