VP candidate says businesses can grow jobs and private donations can displace the safety net.

The food assistance program grew from rural efforts to get urban support for farm subsidies.

The recession has boosted the number of Americans on food stamps to 44 million.

More long-term unemployed workers turn to food stamps and other government programs.

A recent report says that as the food stamp program has grown, so has fraud. And it's costing the government hundreds of millions of dollars.

The number of Americans who receive food stamps is up and the cost to taxpayers has nearly doubled since the last presidential election year. See where your state stands on this election issue.

Florida is the latest of states that are proposing to limit what kinds of food people on food stamps can buy.

After similar legislation failed in California, Texas, and Illinois, a lawmaker in Florida is hoping to ban the use of food stamps to buy soda, candy, and other junk food.

Is Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich justified in calling President Obama the "Food Stamp President?"

A surge in food stamp use is being fueled by middle-income people who have lost their jobs or homes.