The latest Tales From TikTok story focuses on Bam and Bri, a couple whose video vividly and hilariously illustrates the profound impact that food stamps can have in today’s challenging economic climate.
In their video posted on Sept. 9, 2023, Bam and Bri juxtaposed the differences between shopping with and without food stamps. Officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), SNAP is a form of government assistance in the United States that provides low-income individuals and families with an electronic benefit card (EBT card) that they can use to purchase food.
In the video’s opening, Bri shoots Bam a concerned look when he reaches for an expensive bottle of honey, knowing they’re currently without food stamps. She quickly dismisses the idea and returns the bottle to its shelf.
However, in a subsequent scene, Bri is seen happily filling up the cart with Bam after they receive food stamp benefits on their EBT card. The couple loads up on various items, including cereal, snacks and whatever else they can fit into their cart.
“Them food stamps hit different,” the video caption read.
Social media users react to Bam and Bri’s EBT card video on TikTok.
The hilarious clip garnered mixed reactions from fans in the comments section, with some noting how they had seen food stamp recipients rack up on expensive items like “lobster tails” and “crab legs.” One user claimed they once saw an individual fill an entire cart with soda pop and unhealthy “garbage.”
Sadly, some people using food stamps mentioned that they were still struggling to afford food under the SNAP program, particularly recipients with multiple children.
“I have five people to feed on our food stamps. With the high prices, it doesn’t go far for four kids, and we’re on a strict budget,” wrote one TikTok user.
Another netizen commented, “Even with EBT, I still have to spend cash, too. I work and have three kids, and my food stamps aren’t enough for the month, so I still spend cash monthly as well.”
Since 2022, the number of food stamp recipients in the U.S. has been increasing.
According to Pew Research , as of April 2023—the latest month for which data is available—41.9 million people across 22.2 million households were receiving SNAP benefits, compared to 41.2 million (21.6 million households) during the fiscal year of 2022. This accounts for 12.5% of the total U.S. population.
The ethnicity of food stamp recipients varies. In 2020, non-Hispanic white individuals made up 44.6% of adult SNAP recipients and 31.5% of child recipients. Black recipients constituted 27% of both adult and child beneficiaries. Hispanic individuals, including those of any race, accounted for 21.9% of adult recipients and 35.8% of child recipients. Depending on household size and income eligibility, individuals under the SNAP program typically receive anywhere from $291 for a one-person household to $973 for a household with four members, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) website.
With the steady increase in food prices, maintaining sufficient food stamp benefits may become challenging for Americans.
Per the USDA , between 2019 and 2023, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all food increased by 25% , outpacing the overall CPI which grew by 19.2% during the same period. While food prices rose less than transportation costs, which increased by 27.1%, the sector saw faster growth compared to housing, medical care and other major categories. The surge in food prices in 2020–21 was largely influenced by shifting consumption patterns and disruptions in the supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Still, in 2024, despite a cooling in inflation, food prices are gradually rising. In June 2024, the food index saw a 0.2 % increase , as highlighted by June’s CPI report. Food away from home prices rose by 0.4 %, whereas food at home prices saw a 0.1% increase.
According to Greenlight, average monthly grocery bills in 2024 soared, with a one-person household spending between $275.63 and $434.33 monthly on groceries. People with two adult households spent anywhere from $476.92 to $868.66 per month .
In February 2204, a report from the Groundwork Collective highlighted that grocery store inflation in 2024 was notably driven by veal, poultry, non-frozen, non-carbonated juices and drinks, fresh fruits and vegetables and snacks, collectively accounting for 30% of the increase. The price rise was largely attributed to supply chain disruptions and climate-related challenges.
Black households are being hit the hardest by the steady rise in food costs.
According to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis , necessities like groceries, electricity and wireless phone services constitute a larger proportion of Black families’ budgets. Many Black Americans often reside in food deserts, where groceries are pricier at convenience stores. During an interview with CNN , Munseob Lee, an economist at the University of California-San Diego, noted that inflation exacerbates these costs and necessitates longer commutes for grocery shopping, subjecting Black families to more expenses like higher gasoline prices.
Did this Tales From Tiktok hit home for you? How much are you spending on groceries with your EBT card?
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