Posted on 01/15/2017 7:12:22 AM PST by Drew68
What do households on food stamps buy at the grocery store?
The answer was largely a mystery until now. The United States Department of Agriculture, which oversees the $74 billion food stamp program called SNAP, has published a detailed report that provides a glimpse into the shopping cart of the typical household that receives food stamps.
The findings show that the No. 1 purchases by SNAP households are soft drinks, which accounted for 5 percent of the dollars they spent on food. The category of ‘sweetened beverages,’ which includes fruit juices, energy drinks and sweetened teas, accounted for almost 10 percent of the dollars they spent on food. “In this sense, SNAP is a multibillion-dollar taxpayer subsidy of the soda industry,” said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University. “It’s pretty shocking.”
For years, dozens of cities, states and medical groups have urged changes to SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to help improve nutrition among the 43 million poorest Americans who receive food stamps. Specifically, they have called for restrictions so that food stamps cannot be used to buy junk food or sugary soft drinks.
But the food and beverage industries have spent millions opposing such measures, and the U.S.D.A. has denied every request, saying that selectively banning certain foods would be unfair to food stamp users and create too much red tape.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
“I know of people that do that too. And it’s certainly not just blacks — some whites do it too.”
Been going on for many years.
I know a woman who raised 2 kids but had a live-in,working boyfriend. This went on for years.
She was on welfare and BOTH of her kids got full scholarships to good private universities.
Why does the US still have Food Stamps ?
McDonald's probably wondered why was it that someone could use taxpayer funds to buy a box of frozen White Castle burgers but not a Big Mac?
Legitimate question.
We haven't had food stamps for over 20 years. We have EBT cards.
Eliminate all federal food stamp, welfare programs. They’re not federal government responsibilities. States and local governments can administer such programs if they so choose. Same thing goes for education and a host of other big government offerings.
Schools were teaching to the test 20 years ago, long before CC. Still, you’re right, the elimination of skills classes was due to relying more and more on state testing.
Geeze...they should only be allowed to buy water and milk!!
I remember home ec very well!
Yes, the boys had shop and the girls had home ec.
We’ve come a long way in a short period of time.
The amount of stamps someone receives should be divided by the food groups and no more than a certain percentage can be spent on any one of them. Any and all junk food should be eliminated from the program. Personally I feel the program of issuing EBT cards should be replaced with food pantries where only bare essentials are distributed. Don’t like your choices? Purchase your own food with your own money like everyone else.
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I have been saying this for years. No cash. Just EBT pantries with staple items. No change back. Don’t like rice and beans? Get a job.
Great ideas!
So democrats will have people to vote for them.
The people who are in the business of selling water and milk agree.
It’s not only fast food joints like McDonald’s but regular restaurants accept EBT cards, too. One day, for a rare treat for hubby when he was recuperating, I drove up to a bbq joint and promptly pulled back out when I saw their “We Accept EBT Cards” and we’ve never been back. One meal at a restaurant costs what this taxpayer spends on 3+ days of homemade meals. Something is wrong with that picture. Yes, I’m the stupid one.
I’m not a big fan of dykes but I am a big fan of capable women.
Couldn’t have crossed the Oregon trail with these snowflakes of today.
I have always thought that the lottery is a tax on the poor.
I once saw one older man, who didn’t look very well, buy $200 in scratch tickets (!!!), then buy a case of beer.
He had his afternoon all set.
How sad.
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. Such great memories! :)
Why does the US still have Food Stamps ?
A few thoughts:
1) Remember when we eliminated welfare programs under Clinton.
2) Then the Critters starting using the tax code for welfare. Then they used the tax code to administer Obamacare. ever think about why?
3) When USSR went bankrupt they had only ONE welfare program and that was a small pension.
Hell, there might even be some C-rats left around.
Yours is a most excellent point.
“I see carts piled high with meat.”
Watch closely and you will see the senoritas buying meat tortillas and soda with the EBT cards. That is the supply run for their taco stand.
The Feds pay for the materials these people are selling.
Pretty good return of profit when someone else’s provides the product you sell.
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