This is the first our data stories, short pieces to spotlight the role of the Federal Priorities Database in understanding the relationship between social indicators and federal spending programs. This week, we're featuring food stamp participation and unemployment rates:

Almost 45 million people, or 1 out of every 7 in the US, currently receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps). Between fiscal year 2008, when the recession began, and fiscal year 2010, when it officially ended, the number of food stamp recipients grew 42% nationwide and more in some states.

View the complete set of food stamps and unemployment data, including maps, tables, downloads, and notes and sources.