The Food Policy and Planning Division (FPP) monitors Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation trends utilizing The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) public facing data reports which differs from the data used to populate the SNAP dashboard*. SNAP is a federal assistance program in the United States that provides financial aid to low-income individuals and families to purchase food. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP aims to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition and health among vulnerable populations. Monitoring SNAP participation trends over time allows FPP to develop, adjust, and implement policies that seek to build an equitable and resilient urban food system. .
The SNAP Dashboard was last updated in April 2024. We are patiently waiting for updated data from the Maryland Department of Health and Human Services.
Click here for a full screen view of the SNAP Dashboard.
FPP’s SNAP dashboard showcases participation, demographic, and geographic data for SNAP recipients living in Baltimore City utilizing data from The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS). DHS sources data from monthly SNAP reports provided by the University of Maryland School of Social Work Server, which are then used to populate the dashboard.The Department of Planning (DOP) then opens the monthly reports utilizing ARCGIS.The dashboard includes SNAP participation rates, recipient demographics, and geographical distribution.
The size and color of the circles indicate the number and percentage of participants relative to the total population. This visual representation simplifies understanding the distribution and demographics of SNAP receipients, aiding residents, policymakers, and community based organizations in comprehending the scale and scope of food insecurity.
*The SNAP dashboard and the SNAP participants graph draw from two distinct data sources. Data for the SNAP dashboard, sourced from the Department of Human Services (DHS), incorporates demographic and geographic indicators from the Maryland School of Social Work. These indicators are essential for ARC GIS and mapping purposes. In contrast, the publicly available data reports, while not including demographic and geographic details, offer a more precise count of SNAP recipients residing in Baltimore City. As a result, there may be discrepancies in SNAP participation rates between the dashboard and the participants graph.
To learn more about how Baltimore City utilizes SNAP data to inform programs and policy please contact:
Lindsay Adams
Deputy Director of Food Policy
Department of Planning
Lindsay.Adams@baltimorecity.gov
To learn more about DHS SNAP data sources and processes pertaining to the SNAP dashboard please contact:
Asnake Yeheyis
Assistant Director, Bureau of Audit Compliance and Reporting
Maryland Department of Human Services
asnake.yeheyis@maryland.gov
To learn more about DHS SNAP data sources and processes pertaining to SNAP participation trends please contact:
William Niner
Director, Bureau of Audit Compliance and Reporting, FIA
Maryland Department of Human Services
william.niner@maryland.gov
or
Maryann Maher
Assistant Director, Family Investment Administration
Maryland Department of Human Services
maryann.maher1@maryland.gov