In a country where a significant portion of the population lives in poverty and the cost of food is soaring, the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cannot be overstated.

Rolled out in 1939 during the height of the Great Depression, SNAP (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) was created to support farmers who had fallen on hard times. Nearly 90 years later, about 41 to 42 million Americans are enrolled in SNAP monthly and for many, the benefits are the difference between having a meal on the table and going hungry.

If you're a Target shopper, you may be wondering how to get the most bang for your SNAP bucks while also getting the most nutritious (and tasty!) products. Consider the following must-buy items using SNAP, according to finance and dietary experts.

Target's Good & Gather brand offers solid options at affordable prices. A 0.5 gallon of organic milk from many other brands would cost you more. It's said the rich are out of touch with how much a gallon of milk costs, but savvy shoppers know what the best price they can get for it.

Good & Gather also has a great variety of non-dairy, shelf-stable and alternative milk blends to provide options for a variety of dietary restrictions. You can even find different flavors depending on your preference or what your sweet tooth demands.

Using SNAP doesn't mean you have to sacrifice quality cheese. Each serving, which is one piece, has 7 grams of protein, which works out to more protein than a serving of almonds, hummus or an egg. You'll also get a good amount of calcium, and each stick is only 80 calories.

It's the most important meal of the day and oatmeal is a breakfast staple for a reason. This particular brand is made with flax seed, which makes it a good source of ALA Omega-3, and it has 31g of whole grains per serving. As a bonus, it's also cholesterol-free.

Target has constant deals, but it's a bonus perk you can take advantage of by shopping at this megaretailer by using your SNAP benefits. Everyone loves Cheerios, and this pantry staple is a great way to stretch out your breakfast budget.

This tasty and easy-to-prepare dish is a combination of whole-grain brown rice, tender chicken breast, chopped carrots, and scrambled eggs in sesame sauce. A single serving has 320 calories, 23 grams of protein and 0 grams of trans fat so it's a great way to have a quick meal that won't make you cheat on your diet.

Another kitchen staple to always have on hand is Greek yogurt, as the plain, non-fat Greek yogurt option is versatile and packed with protein, low in calories and has no added sugars. Layer yogurt into mason jar fruit parfaits, blend into salad dressings, or spoon over chili in place of sour cream for a healthier alternative to add to meals.

Black beans are a great source of protein and fiber. In fact, one cup of cooked black beans packs in 15 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber. If you're tight on money, opt for dry beans, otherwise, canned beans are an easy, ready-to-go option. These are a cheap and nutritious addition to any meal.

Baby carrots can be worked into so many meals and offer a lot of great nutritional value. Get your vitamin A serving and a tasty snack for less than $2 a pound.

Peanut butter is another versatile food to have in your pantry. Make PB&J sandwiches, slather some on some celery sticks, or just eat it by the spoonful. This jar is luckily made without any added salt or artificial flavors.