Chart 1. SNAP participation, annual averages (in thousands), 2004–16
Year SNAP participation

2004

23,811

2005

25,628

2006

26,549

2007

26,316

2008

28,223

2009

33,490

2010

40,302

2011

44,709

2012

46,609

2013

47,636

2014

46,664

2015

45,767

2016

44,219

Note: As designated by the National Bureau of Economic Research, December 2007 to June 2009 was a recessionary period. SNAP = Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service.