701.01 The Purpose and Uses for Food Coupons SR 94-04, 04/94 (FSM-A)

The Food Stamp Program exists to raise nutrition levels among low-income households.

Food coupons are provided to eligible low-income households to purchase food items, including seeds and plants, for home consumption and use.

Households need not have cooking facilities.

Coupons cannot be used to buy nonfood items-such as beer, tobacco, paper products, or soap-or hot foods.

Other uses of food stamps include purchasing food from:

. communal dining facilities,

. nonprofit meal delivery services,

. drug or alcoholism treatment and rehabilitation programs,

. community mental health centers,

. nonprofit group living arrangements, and

. shelters for battered women and children.