Comparing the Use and Success of Microloans to SNAP Benefits to Alleviate Hunger Inequality and Relieve the Effects of Food Deserts

Food insecurity is a wicked problem experienced across the world. In America, 44 million people lack access to adequate food or healthy options (Feeding America, n.d.). The highest population of those who suffer from food insecurity live in food-deserted communities – where it is difficult to purchase affordable, quality food due to factors such as distance or availability. However, systems such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and micro-loans have been created to provide hunger relief to those in need. This study evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of the SNAP benefits program and micro-loans, to ultimately suggest the most efficient system to solve food insecurity. We reviewed scholarly articles from EBSCOhost, Google Scholar and Gale. We have based our solution on how well it accomplishes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Zero Hunger and Good Health and Well-Being. We have found the most effective system currently to be SNAP. SNAP is a governmental aid program that operates at the state level; the purpose is to distribute funds to eligible users for use in grocery stores. SNAP is a method of direct relief to the consumer. Microloans are given to eligible applicants to start farm operations to provide produce and other resources in their communities and households. However, micro loans are not a direct method of relief for the participant and are associated with many risks such as the availability of market structures to support new businesses in the area. Overall, the most practical method of support to those vulnerable is an immediate and tangible option, one that is void of risk to the user and lacks a high payment of their time.