Smithsonian Acquires Historic Food Coupons from USDA
WASHINGTON, DC.- The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History acquired Food Stamp Program coupons and other related materials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, the cornerstone of U.S. food assistance programs designed to ensure that low-income citizens can obtain a nutritious diet. In October 2008, Congress renamed the Food Stamp Program to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to emphasize the program’s focus on nutrition. This acquisition showcases nearly 40 years of significant program changes, from paper coupons to today’s Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, which have been issued nationally since 2004. The donation includes individual food coupons, booklets, proof sheets, early artist designs, printer’s plates and sample EBT cards. The rare materials will be part of the National Numismatic Collection housed at the museum, which consists of m