Why SNAP Works

A Political History—and Defense—of the Food Stamp Program

Christopher John Bosso

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Paperback

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English

University of California Press
28 October 2025

Sociology & anthropology

The first book to tell the whole story of SNAP and to explain why all Americans should support it.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the nation's largest government effort for helping low-income Americans obtain an adequate diet. How did SNAP, formerly the food stamp program, evolve from a Depression-era effort to use up surplus goods into America's foundational food assistance program? And how does SNAP survive? Incisive and original, Why SNAP Works is the first book to provide a comprehensive history and evaluation of the nation's most important food insecurity and poverty alleviation effort.

Everyone has an opinion about SNAP, not all of them positive, but its benefits are felt broadly and across party lines. Christopher Bosso makes a clear, nuanced, and impassioned case for protecting this unique food program, exploring its history and breaking down the facts for readers across the political spectrum. Why SNAP Works is an essential book for anyone concerned about food access, poverty, and the ""welfare system"" in the United States.

By: Christopher John Bosso
Imprint: University of California Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 210mm, Width: 140mm,
ISBN: 9780520425187
ISBN 10: 0520425189
Pages: 280
Publication Date: 28 October 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Contents List of Figures Acknowledgments 1. Tales at the Intersection of Want and Plenty 2. “To Encourage Domestic Consumption” 3. The Paradox Anew 4. Farm Programs + Food Programs 5. Welfare Politics 6. Let Us Now Praise the Food Stamp Plan Appendix: Table 1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation and costs, 1961–2022 Chronology: Key Moments in Food Stamps and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Notes Suggested Reading Index

Christopher Bosso is Professor of Public Policy and Politics in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University, Boston.

Reviews for Why SNAP Works: A Political History—and Defense—of the Food Stamp Program

""This book is a crucial read for anyone interested in understanding food accessibility and welfare in the United States. . . . Christopher Bosso provides a balanced analysis of SNAP, shedding light on its far-reaching benefits and making a persuasive case for its continued support."" * Food Tank * ""The story Bosso weaves in the first five chapters is set in the halls of Congress and the chambers of the Senate… for political enthusiasts looking for a comprehensive and definitive history of SNAP, this book is it."" * Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners *