Sadly, you are correct. Back in 'the day' Food Stamps could not be used for 'prepared food', which was defined as pre-cooked, hot and ready to eat. This included Twinkies, candy bars, chips, hot pizza, chicken, etc. This was done to encourage the poor to cook at home (turkey, rice, beans, baked potatos, veggies, casaroles, etc.) instead of heating up the more expensive TV dinners.
The recipient could load up on frozen pizza, chicken, hamburger, vegetables, bread - but not dog food, nor candy.
Today, the most obese members of our society are the poor. We lower expectations, and they continually faile to meet these levels, so we lower the bar again. This means that Food Stamps are going to McDonalds, Pizza Hut and other fast food; instead of asking unemployed Momma to cook meat/veggies at home, and have the kids sit at the table for a meal like everyone else tries to do.
I guess this was just 'cruel' - at the same time, welfare recipients are given money to buy clothes and other necessities. Asking them to budget their money, so if they wanted soda, candy, chips and beer; is just asking too much.
I work, I pay taxes, I have been unemployed; but have never been on food stamps. Today, it's easy to see who is on food stamps when I go shopping - they are the folk who have better food in their cart, than I do. We cook at home- we make a big pot of 'something' and eat it all week. My wife and I go out to a moderate resturant for a sit-down meal maybe once a month, it's all we can afford to do. Makes it more and more attractive to just quit, and sit at home with our hands out.
This means that Food Stamps are going to McDonalds, Pizza Hut and other fast food;
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2011/09/fast-food-chains-getting-into-the-food-stamp-act/
“Yum! Brands, based in Louisville, Ky., which operates a string of restaurants that includes Taco Bell, KFC, Long John Silver’s and Pizza Hut, are among those applying for inclusion in the food stamp program, saying that elderly, disabled and homeless people have difficulty preparing meals”