Short answer: SNAP was created through a sequence of U.S. government actions culminating in the Food Stamp Act of 1964, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Its origins trace back to earlier pilot and surplus programs during the 1930s–1960s, but the formal, permanent program was established in 1964. Context and origins
- Early concept and pilots: The Food Stamp concept emerged during the late 1930s as a mechanism to use agricultural surpluses to support low-income households. The initial program operated with orange and blue stamps and began in 1939 under the administration of Secretary of Agriculture Henry A. Wallace and the program’s first administrator Milo Perkins. The original plan aimed to bridge the gap between farm surpluses and under-nourished populations.
- Transition to a permanent program: In the 1960s, the idea evolved from pilot efforts to a nationwide approach. Presidential attention grew during the Great Society era, leading to legislative action to formalize the program. The shift from pilots to a national program culminated in the Food Stamp Act of 1964.
- Legal foundation: The Food Stamp Act of 1964 made the Food Stamp Program (now SNAP) a permanent feature of federal policy and established its structure under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the act on August 31, 1964 as a central element of his War on Poverty.
Key figures and milestones
- Henry A. Wallace (Secretary of Agriculture) and Milo Perkins (first administrator) are commonly credited with conceiving the original Food Stamp concept in 1939. Their collaboration aimed to connect agricultural policy with hunger relief by enabling low-income individuals to purchase food with stamps.
- The 1964 Food Stamp Act, signed by President Johnson, established SNAP as a permanent program and expanded participation as part of the broader War on Poverty initiatives.
If you’d like, I can provide a concise timeline with exact dates and milestones, or summarize how SNAP has evolved since 1964, including major policy changes and expansions.
