Officials say that about 63,000 people in Berks County will be affected by cuts to federal food stamp programs. That's about 15 percent of the population there.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that the people in Berks and about 47 million more nationwide will now receive about 5 percent less each month. That amounts to about 16 meals a month for a family of three receiving the maximum benefit and shopping wisely, the Reading Eagle reports Saturday.
The food stamp program is downsizing because a temporary boost that was included in the 2009 stimulus bill expired this week.
Beverly D. Mackereth, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, says the cut is small for most people, but it's affecting 1.8 million Pennsylvanians.
