A line graph showing the number of SNAP beneficiaries in the US from 2019 to 2026, highlighting the massive spike during the 2020 pandemic.

Line chart tracking the number of SNAP beneficiaries (food stamps) between 2019 and 2026. The y-axis ranges from 37 million to 43 million. The chart shows a sharp vertical increase in early 2020 followed by volatility, and a projected decline through 2026.

Number of SNAP Beneficiaries, 2019-2026 43M 42M 41M 40M 39M 38M 37M 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Chart: Jack Salmon, Mercatus Center at George Mason University • Source: National Monthly Data, SNAP Data Tables, USDA