dagblog - Comments for "Why should food stamps pay for junk food?"

The states do have some

trkingmomoe — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 02:55:15 +0000

In reply to I never purchased pop when I

The states do have some leeway in managing the SNAP program. There is a misconception that the food that is being bought with the EBT card is mostly junk. A large bottle of Coke, in this town, is $1.89 and off brands are a $1. Most recipients don't buy very much of that. It is nice to be able to so you can plan special occasions. I wish reporters and politions would get out more and talk to the poor, they would find that out. The majority that get SNAP stay the program temporarily until they can get back to work. Richard, you are right where do you draw the line on what is good or bad to eat? If the government wants to improve the quality of the foods we eat, they need to go after the food industry not the poor. By the way I don't notice that many little kids that are fat in school with my grandkids. I have had teachers thank me when I have sent large bags of cheap animal crackers to school because they have to dig into their pockets to provide snacks for those with out. Kids that are food insecure don't get the chance to build up body fat. Over weight is a problem in this country across the board, not just the poor.

A good point to add here is,

trkingmomoe — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 01:59:21 +0000

In reply to Charles Lane likely had a

A good point to add here is, the homeless would do better if they could purchase hot food. I see a lot of homeless around here because of the climate. They are inclueded in the Snap program.

The original food stamp

trkingmomoe — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 01:47:49 +0000

In reply to At least he pointed out some

The original food stamp program during the 1930's depression, did not allow hot food. I think that was because families very rarely ate out. It did include laundry starch, soaps and matches. You needed the matches to cook and hygiene was recognized as a need. It was a way of getting surplus farm products to the poor. That program was ended during WWII. LBJ brought the program back and some in Congress wanted to restrict soft drinks, candy, snacks and expensive luxury foods, but that was pulled from the bill. LBJ liked to tell stories about being a poor little boy in Texas and how rare it was for a piece of candy. Since then junk food has been a food stamp wedge issue. In a state like Florida the bigger issue is how the nutrition educational program block grant money is being used. It doesn't seem to filter down to the people. In the 1980's the program was cut way back and later had to bring back some of the funding. It has been a fight ever since to up grade it to needs of the current society. Adding hot food got shot down in the last bill. I read some states allow the purchase of seeds and vegetable garden plants. This is new to the program and a good idea. I don't know about my state.

The right would say it's a

NCD — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 21:54:01 +0000

In reply to I never purchased pop when I

The right would say it's a slippery slope to Obama taking away the guns.

I never purchased pop when I

Richard Day — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 19:56:26 +0000

In reply to Why should food stamps pay for junk food?

I never purchased pop when I was on food stamps and I do not think you can do that here.

But if there were to be a national ban, what would you do with sugar and kool ade?

And what about white flour?

Is jam junk food? What about peanut butter?

Store bought bread is not that good for you; neither is hamburger or sausage.

Since they switched from stamps to computer cards, changes would not be difficult to implement.

Just remember I 'need' 1600 calories a day or less and a 14 year old boy needs almost three times that amount (assuming the lad does not play computer games all day)

What if you did it the other way? I mean if you purchase fruit and veggies each purchase gives you a rebate of 10% and when you purchase white bread you lose 10% on each purchase?

Charles Lane likely had a

NCD — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 19:26:34 +0000

In reply to Why should food stamps pay for junk food?

Charles Lane likely had a cart full of soda when he saw that WIC customer. Good point on the Sprite, useful when sickness hits.

Note to Mr. Lane: A Congress that allows the mentally ill or suspected terrorists to buy guns is not going to ban WIC potato chips. EZ makes a case for how hot foods should be allowed, and if they were, the client might have time to add something like a salad, time is in short supply when working for low wages and 2 or more jobs to make ends meet.

At least he pointed out some

EmmaZahn — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 14:49:13 +0000

In reply to Why should food stamps pay for junk food?

At least he pointed out some of the flaws in the program.

SNAP does have more clout as a subsidy to the Food and Beverage industry (even more so to agribusiness) than as a nutritional program for the poor. But then he missed some of its idiotic restrictions like not being able to buy hot foods when so many grocers now offer them and that purchases are restricted to home consumption. As if the working poor could not benefit as much or more as working professionals from picking up meals on the way home, ordering take out/delivery or even, for heaven's sake, just being able to eat out on the way home after picking up kids from day care. The elderly too would probably benefit more nutritionally as well as socially without those restrictions.

Thanks for the link. Keep them coming.