Nation Conversations: Lizzy Ratner on Food Stamps’ Surprising Success Story

Nation Conversations: Lizzy Ratner on Food Stamps’ Surprising Success Story

Nation Conversations: Lizzy Ratner on Food Stamps’ Surprising Success Story

Lizzy Ratner argues that the food stamp program is one of the few American safety net institutions that actually functions.

Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Pocket
Email

Lizzy Ratner argues that the food stamp program is one of the few American safety net institutions that actually functions.

"The first striking image is the need," says Nation reporter Lizzy Ratner, describing her visits to Manhattan food stamp centers through the course of investigating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. In a impassioned discussion with executive editor Betsy Reed, Lizzy argues that SNAP is one of the few American safety net programs that actually functions—and that without considerable intervention by progressives, it may lose much of its funding. You can read Lizzy’s feature story on SNAP here.

Subscribe to Nation Conversations on iTunes for exclusive audio of Nation editors and writers digging into the topics and issues that shape the magazine. Check back for a new episode each Thursday.

—Teresa Cotsirilos

Time is running out to have your gift matched 

In this time of unrelenting, often unprecedented cruelty and lawlessness, I’m grateful for Nation readers like you. 

So many of you have taken to the streets, organized in your neighborhood and with your union, and showed up at the ballot box to vote for progressive candidates. You’re proving that it is possible—to paraphrase the legendary Patti Smith—to redeem the work of the fools running our government.

And as we head into 2026, I promise that The Nation will fight like never before for justice, humanity, and dignity in these United States. 

At a time when most news organizations are either cutting budgets or cozying up to Trump by bringing in right-wing propagandists, The Nation’s writers, editors, copy editors, fact-checkers, and illustrators confront head-on the administration’s deadly abuses of power, blatant corruption, and deconstruction of both government and civil society. 

We couldn’t do this crucial work without you.

Through the end of the year, a generous donor is matching all donations to The Nation’s independent journalism up to $75,000. But the end of the year is now only days away. 

Time is running out to have your gift doubled. Don’t wait—donate now to ensure that our newsroom has the full $150,000 to start the new year. 

Another world really is possible. Together, we can and will win it!

Love and Solidarity,

John Nichols 

Executive Editor, The Nation

Ad Policy
x