What was the alimenta program supported by Trajan?

The alimenta was a system of public funds established to provide financial support for poor children living in Italian cities.1

While earlier endowments of this nature had been created by private individuals—such as Trajan’s friend, the orator Pliny the Younger, for his hometown of Comum—Trajan is credited with formalizing these public funds as an imperial institution. Although some historical accounts attribute the innovation to his predecessor, Nerva, Trajan is widely considered the emperor responsible for its implementation and support.12