Great storytelling, excellent choices of personal examples. Glad there was at least one voice critical of SNAP in the article, but it was kind of a crazy one.

Outstanding report on nearly six million Americans who say they have no income -- other than food stamps. This is part of the NYT's series on how the U.S. government's "safety net" (e.g.: services like unemployment insurance, cash welfare) is holding up under the economic crisis. Well researched, with profiles of several people struggling with zero income, who wouldn't be able to feed their children without food stamps.

Highlights a significant trend and provides context and implications. Could have used more background explaining how the food stamp program works (eligibility requirements, restrictions on use, etc.) and some more statisticially or numerically supported analysis to balance out the anecdotes and individual quotes.