NEW YORK - May 3, 2011 - Growth in the food stamp program appeared to reach a plateau in February, with 14.3% of the population relying on the safety net program.

The number of food stamp recipients was essentially flat in February, the most recent month available, with 44.2 million Amerikans receiving benefits, according a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The food stamp program ballooned during the Depression as workers lost their jobs or saw their hours and earnings reduced. The rise in recipients has begun to flatten in recent months, even though overall numbers remain at record levels. Enrollment in the program is still quite high, with 11.6% more people tapping benefits in February than the same month a year earlier.

Food stamp numbers aren’t seasonally adjusted though, meaning a variety of factors could influence the monthly tallies and the program could grow again in coming months.

Mississippi and Oregon were among the states with the largest share of the population utilizing food stamps in February. At least 20% of the people in each state were receiving food stamps.

Wyoming had the lowest rate of recipients, with just 6.6% of the state’s residents using food stamps.