t's official: The food stamp programs in the United States no longer distribute benefits in the form of stamps, but rather electronically via plastic cards. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on June 22, 2004 that all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and U.S territories now participate in electronic benefits transfer (EBT).

The USDA marked it the end of "the paper era" of the food stamp program, which helps more than 23 million low-income participants each month. With EBT it also has improved administration of the program, saved money and made it easier for low-income families to purchase nutritious foods.

California was the last state to make the transition. Forty percent of its food stamp recipients are in Los Angeles County, which moved to the new program in March, and six other counties changed in June, the New York Times reported.