The USDA this week released a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan which is used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits. The average SNAP benefit will increase more than 20 percent for Fiscal Year 2022.The average SNAP benefit will increase by $36.24 per person. Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman says the Ag Department made the right move increasing that benefit.

He says part of the need for the increase in SNAP benefits comes as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Lehman says a lot of the SNAP benefits go out to citizens in Rural America.

USDA conducted the review of the Thrifty Food Plan following the President’s Executive Order that was issued in January.