Johnson signs the Food Stamp Act, creating permanent federal food assistance

President Lyndon Johnson signed the Food Stamp Act of 1964, creating a permanent federal food assistance program after a pilot program began in 1961. The law established a means-tested benefit allowing low-income households to purchase food at retail stores using federally subsidized stamps. Congress authorized appropriations and directed USDA to administer the program through state agencies. The program grew from 367,000 participants in 1965 to 15 million by 1974.