Following years of decline, food stamp participation has been on the rise for nearly four years. In May 2004, the last month for which data are available, 23.9 million people participated in the Food Stamp Program.1 The number of food stamp participants has exceeded 23 million since December 2003. Prior to this, March 1997 was the last time in which the number of food stamp participants exceeded this level. Since its recent low point in July 2000, participation has increased by 7.1 million people, or 42 percent.
