Posted on 02/12/2018 6:45:07 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Trump wants to slash food stamps and replace them with a ‘Blue Apron-type program’
By Caitlin Dewey February 12 at 6:57 PM
The Trump administration wants to slash food aid to low-income families and make up the difference with a box of canned goods — a change that Office of Management and budget director Mick Mulvaney described in a Monday briefing as a “Blue Apron-type program.”
“What we do is propose that for folks who are on food stamps, part — not all, part — of their benefits come in the actual sort of, and I don't want to steal somebody's copyright, but a Blue Apron-type program where you actually receive the food instead of receive the cash,” Mulvaney said. “It lowers the cost to us because we can buy [at wholesale prices] whereas they have to buy it at retail. It also makes sure they're getting nutritious food. So we're pretty excited about that.”
Mulvaney's remarks drew raised eyebrows from some critics, who accuse the Trump administration official of drawing an unfair comparison between the food stamp program, which delivers an average of $1.37 per meal to America's poorest, and a high-end meal kit that runs $10 per serving.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
For fun could stock the stores with organic/GMO free...only healthy items by dim standards...then publicize it as Making America Healthy Again...
Says she, “Why don’t you make them the homemade way? In the microwave?”
It was all I could do to keep from laughing. I explained to her that this was just a different kind of homemade way.”
That made me laugh! I asked my godchild once what she wanted me to bring for diner. She wanted macaroni and cheese. I make a killer. She politely ate a little. When I asked what was wrong, she said: “ Uncle Bill, I only like real macaroni and cheese.” I looked at her mom who shyly said: “Kraft...”
That is too damned bad. They might want to change locations and jobs. I do not wish to supplement their existence because no one has supplemented mine. If you want internet— BUY internet!! I wont do that for you. To hell with that communism.
No it would not be a violation of the building code. Depending on the occupancy it might violate a housing code. But for those living in a SRO or similar units it may be against the rules to have cooking (heating elements) in the living space. And yes most people can learn to cook. But don’t assume that everyone should or has access to facilities.
And what kind of cruel moron refers to innocent children as bastards? (Yes I know that is the correct dictionary term but you know it is used these days to describe much worse than children of unmarried parents) And whelp is used to refer to animals (especially bitches) giving birth. To refer to any woman in those terms is beyond the pale and inexcusable.
So my big question is WTH is wrong with you? Who piddled in your cornflakes?
“I would prefer soup kitchens and bread lines”
If it weren’t for ebt cards, the Bread lines would be 5 times longer than the ones during the Great Depression.
I like it
Pretty sure most if not all of us calling them food stamps are just old enough that is what they were. Just a more familiar term, though we know they are now cards.
Because it is so easy to get a second or even third job. And everyone has family nearby, not.
I am not writing about shiftless no counts who couldn’t poor pee out of their boots with instructions on the heel. I mean people who do work their bloody butts off often at one or two jobs but who live paycheck to paycheck. They do budget. They do pay their rent, utilities, transportation expenses, and most of their own food expenses. But throw a wrench in the works like an unexpected sickness (most do not qualify for medicaid) or a car breaking down and the money is just not there. So I don’t begrudge them turning to SNAP in times of need.
A noble idea. But I know first hand the waste that occurs in lunch rooms across America via the NSLP. These food boxes will go in the dumpster.
Why, a parent/guardian, can’t give a kid a bowl of cereal, or piece of toast, and/or provide a PB&J sandwich for their breakfast or lunch, boggles.
No President Trump. It’s a noble idea that won’t work. Sorry. Kudos for trying.
some of the poorest will rent rooms in hotels or houses and don’t have kitchen privileges. this makes cooking difficult but not impossible. those with this type of living arrangement can have there box tailored to that situation.
I have practical experience with that lived seven years renting a room with no house privileges. because I could not afford anything else. everything I made to eat was with a Microwave and a portable toaster oven along with plug in tea kettle. I was not on food stamps because I did not qualify being single and getting a social security check but I was poor and became very creative in cooking from my bedroom
the big mistake with the food stamp program is that it is to comfortable to use. having your food choices chosen might motivate anyone who gets to comfortable with the program.
You are presuming that they know how to read and that they have the utensils and accoutrements necessary for cooking.
I personally know someone who is both disabled and on food stamps. One of the side issues he deals with its that his education stopped in the 3rd grade. He is not going to read your cookbook. Not because he doesn't want to, but because he probably can't.
This is a tougher issue than many people think. Sure there are plenty of examples of cheating by higher-functioning leaches. But, there are also many lower functioning people who need assistance.
Did you notice I have no problem with actual food being part of the program. My only disagreement was with the idea of people not being allowed to have microwaveable food. Personally I have no problem with a person getting a deli meal that gets eaten instead of buying food that might go to waste because they cannot or should not cook. The latter is preferable but may not be the best way for everyone to get the best use of SNAP benefits. And that includes the taxpayer.
ANd I would be fine with nutrition education/food safety/cooking courses being part of getting SNAP.
What internet. The library has internet that should be sufficient. Changing jobs and locations is not as damn simple as you assume.
I liked "Town Farms" (the poor house) where they lived onsite, outside of town, in quarters, and grew their own food. Now-a-days, they could even have a state jobs service on the grounds.
Keeps them out of town and away from civilized working people. Whenever the cops encounter some bums....off they go to "the farm".
If a resident decides they want to
That is the honest truth. I once helped out a young woman with a couple kids that was in a bind due to car repairs. I ran to the store and bought her a cupboard full of groceries to last her until she got paid. I bought her things to cook with- not prepared foods, I didn't even think about her not cooking. When I dropped them off she asked me what do you do with tomato sauce? She did not have a clue how to cook. She normally "cooked" things like corn dogs and tator tots. She lived next door to my daughter so I told her my daughter would tell her what to do with the food...my daughter knew how to cook!
Sounds like the ‘50s and ‘60s when people in our church got government peanut butter, powdered milk, free government cheese, etc. An old idea that might work again.
(If a resident decides they want to) improve themselves and get a job and their own place....go for it.
I have been blessed to have been helped by others during rough times. I understand though that not everyone is that fortunate and may face a time in their lives when temporary assistance from programs like SNAP is necessary. Let me emphasize temporary. The program needs a lot of changes.
I favor more restrictions on food allowed. I favor requiring basic food handling and prep classes in some cases. I favor meals (much like meals on wheels) in kind being provided. Anything that reduces the cost and the food waste is a good thing.
Private charities feed a lot of hungry people. They do it better than the government. They are also better at helping people become self-sufficient. Maybe SNAP should be modeled after their programs.
I still call them that too. But I’ve not seen an actual coupon in years. Are those still around. Mind you I know EBT has not meant an end to scams.
Thank you for that wise, considerate and heartfelt post.
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