This brief first provides background information on the four USDA Food Plans, including the Thrifty Food Plan and the Low-Cost Food Plan. The second section details the weaknesses and limitations of the Thrifty Food Plan. The final section discusses why a more adequate food plan should be the basis for SNAP benefit allotments rather than the current Thrifty Food Plan, and concludes with a brief overview of the favorable impact of more adequate benefit levels on food spending and health.