Ben Chrisinger

#SNAP is already globally unusual as an antipoverty program. Cash-like, just for non-prepared foods, at approved retailers. Evidence from cash transfer programs suggests there are easier ways to protect #foodsecurity. 🛟 🩺📊 🩺 #econsky #academicsky

Anytime media outlets run a "SNAP fraud" headline, they should have to run seven on benefit theft, and (at least) dozens more on eligible folks being wrongfully denied benefits. That's the relative prevalence of these situations. But they are not equally reported. 🥗

New research on SNAP restrictions: Do waivers lead retailers to stop accepting SNAP? We found a 1.4% decline in convenience stores where waivers were enacted. Also seems to be gradients in where stores are leaving SNAP, especially places with lower incomes and higher SNAP participation. 🥗 🛟

Add chronic disease disparities to this list…

Surely “too much red tape” is the obvious take-away from a summer of food-borne illness… 🥗

Having recently gotten a new cell plan I assume he means more expensive than you’d expect, time-consuming, difficult to compare, and dominated by like 3 companies.

The inconsistencies in MAHA have been clear for a long time. But I don’t blame folks for earnestly having a glimmer of hope for making a healthier food system. But it’s telling that one of the only MAHA “wins” is taking choices away from SNAP participants. 🥗

SCOOP: After the Census Bureau issued a highly unusual report tied to a President Trump-aligned think tank, the bureau’s parent agency, the Commerce Department, cut language banning political interference from its scientific integrity policy, @npr.org has learned www.npr.org/2026/08/31/n...

Since 2025, the USDA has granted waivers to 23 states to restrict the types of foods that can be purchased with SNAP benefits. In a new Milbank Quarterly guest Opinion, authors describe the lack of data for evaluating the dietary impact of such restrictions and other evaluation challenges.

States are scrambling to reduce SNAP error rates (making enrollment much harder), but basic stats principles (sampling & uncertainty) are overlooked. "...there is no guarantee that good-faith efforts to improve program administration will be reflected in the form of a lower payment error rate"

New study out today on SNAP restrictions and soda (not my work). I spoke with @statnews.com to put it in context. Big finding: soda purchases declined among SNAP shoppers w/ restrictions. Equally big finding: restrictions have led to stigma; participants feel disrespected and judged. 🛟 🥗 🩺📈

SNAP participants can volunteer in order to meet the work requirement. This is especially helpful for folks that can't find suitable work beyond the 3-month SNAP time limit. How easy is it to use the volunteer option? Depends on where you live. Great analysis from @fracposts.bsky.social

SNAP participants can volunteer in order to meet the work requirement. This is especially helpful for folks that can't find suitable work beyond the 3-month SNAP time limit. How easy is it to use the volunteer option? Depends on where you live. Great analysis from @fracposts.bsky.social

Anytime you hear about SNAP "error rate" (ineligible people receiving SNAP), remember it's ONLY PART of the equation. Payment error rates are MUCH smaller compared to "case and procedural error rates" (eligible people wrongly denied SNAP). Great analysis from @fracposts.bsky.social 🛟 🥗

This is dangerous. What blows my mind is the AI front of universal expertise. Like, a professional (or good friend) would might say, “this is serious, I don’t know everything about this. Let’s connect you to someone who does.” There is help - good help, live-saving help - out there.

Exactly this. People who want SNAP caseloads to return to where they were 25 years ago should probably explain why they want a highly effective & efficient anti-hunger program to reach a much smaller share of the people who need it.

anyone else noticed how flying anywhere for any reason has become awful? never *loved* air travel but geesh this feels worse than ever

☀️🍉⚽ Happy Summer Eats Awareness Week! School’s out, and summer meals are IN. Join us in promoting this completely free, awesome program that provides nutritious meals and fun for kids across Massachusetts during summer break, all summer long.

Congressional GOP now “dunking” on advocates about SSBs and the “Nutrition” part of SNAP acronym… Should give pause to public health folks supporting restriction. SNAP is **the tool** to reduce poverty and food insecurity. These “gotcha” moments wont lead to stronger SNAP. They undermine it.

Hunger is a policy choice.

Key to this judgment is that only Congress can impose SNAP restriction (though will have to see how it plays out in courts…) Don’t sleep on this: proponents are already pitching nationwide SNAP restrictions in Congress. SNAP needs protection, this is not it.

Your Prime Day reminder that half of Amazon warehouse workers struggle with food & housing costs. A third have had to rely on government assistance like SNAP — which was gutted last year. If Bezos can spend $500M on a yacht, Amazon can afford to treat its workers with dignity.

Key to this judgment is that only Congress can impose SNAP restriction (though will have to see how it plays out in courts…) Don’t sleep on this: proponents are already pitching nationwide SNAP restrictions in Congress. SNAP needs protection, this is not it.

A brief observation on framing: The setup isn't "should SNAP be used to buy candy" OR "should SNAP be restricted from candy purchases." It's "should SNAP stay a straightforward program serving many different needs," or not. Even the NYT photo (candy) falls into this trap. 🥗 🛟

"When a child born today becomes a parent, the average temperatures of summer 1976 will be normal. When they become a grandparent, they will look back and think that the summer of 1976, or even the summer of 2025, were remarkably cold." - Professor Ed Hawkins 50th anniversary of the 1976 heatwave