Travel in a SNAP: Addressing Transportation Barriers in SNAP Recipients to Increase Food Security

Over thirty-eight million Americans experience food insecurity each year. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—the largest food assistance program in the United States—seeks to eliminate this statistic. As evidenced by the prevalence at which Americans continue to experience food insecurity, SNAP is far from reaching its goal. This shortcoming has sparked proposals to reform SNAP. These proposals are mainly aimed at increasing SNAP benefits so recipients can afford to purchase more food and thus become more food secure. Although many people agree that current SNAP benefits are inadequate, a widespread benefit increase is not feasible given the political fragility of SNAP. Additionally, even if practical, such an approach would likely not improve food security for all SNAP recipients, especially those who face additional barriers in redeeming benefits. This Note argues that SNAP reform proposals should address transportation obstacles that lead to food insecurity in SNAP recipients. Most SNAP recipients do not own a vehicle and nearly a quarter of those recipients face transportation barriers in shopping for food. Such reforms would be guaranteed to reduce food insecurity in at least some SNAP recipients and are more politically feasible because they would cost less than a widespread benefit increase. This Note explores approaches to overcoming transportation obstacles that may be incorporated into the existing SNAP model. It concludes with modifications to SNAP benefits that can address transportation barriers in both rural and urban SNAP recipients.