Food Stamps

paulaGetshealthy

Thank you for this. I am a sociologist...and yes, it is VERY important to look at the social conditions from which people arise, and what they DO and DO NOT have access to. Beer and cigarettes are expensive, but EVERYONE has their own vice. Middle class people probably have their own vice that are RELATIVELY the same price. Anyway, these observations are YOUR observations, and cannot be generalized.

I'm so not against food stamps! My problem is not with people who are on food stamps! I have friends who are on food stamps who truly need it to get by. And yes, I agree there are reasons why these people are obese, which in my opinion don't have much to do with education, but more with the fact that they are already living perhaps unhappy lives, so they use food to comfort them (as I used to do), or they don't find time to make healthy meals. HOWEVER, I think people should only satisfy their vices if they can afford it! Why should I, a tax payer, have to pay for someone's food when they have enough money for booze, cigarettes, a flat-screen TV, etc. If they have enough money for that, they have enough money to pay for their own food. It's ridiculous.

kiminita

I think you need to be careful about the huge generalizations going on here. You saw one couple with poor food choices, thus 'all' people on food stamps have low self esteem. I've done case work with people who were about to become homeless, were single moms with kids with disabilities, etc. There is an entire layer of people living in poverty, or almost poverty in the US. The Anglo, 'middle class' is typically unaware of those beyond our radar, and it's easy to judge. People fall through cracks in our culture for all kinds of reasons. They might be choosing food that sure, gives comfort, fills up a family quicker than lean, healthy meals, or is cheaper, thus they can buy more of.

Plenty of folks pay cash for the same unhealthy, over processed foods; do you toss everyone into a bag of 'low self esteem'? I think a better attitude to have is to assume you don't know anything (really) about their personal story and not to make assumptions. This is a tough time for families, individuals and almost everyone in this country, economically.

Yes. This.

Word.

We need to question the system rather than the actions of the people in it!!!

skinnnyxoxo

I don't think you need much of an education to realize that chips, soda, and pizza for dinner will result in rapid weight-gain. But yeah, I agree that maybe healthier food is cheaper, but the money is free to them, so I don't think they do it for the fact that it's cheap. BUT who am I to judge. I used to be obese, and even though I wasn't on food stamps, I constantly made unhealthy choices because food made me happy. Maybe people on food stamps already have low self-esteem and are ashamed, so they stuff themselves just like I did?

uhhhhhhhh NO.
NOT EVERYONE IS LIKE YOU SWEETHEART

skinnymeinaz

But yeah, I agree that maybe healthier food is cheaper, but the money is free to them, so I don't think they do it for the fact that it's cheap.

Healthy food costs more than unhealthy food and food stamps don't pay for alcohol & non-food items. And yes, the money is free to people who have food stamps, but $300-$400/month is not a lot for food for a family. Trying to get as much food for as cheap as possible is a real concern.

I agree with this quote because $300- $400 is not a lot for a family. I also agree with kiminita (these are your observations).

Healthy foods are more expensive. I know because I am trying to help my family eat better and the bill for my grocery list compared to my mom's is much higher. I try to tell her healthier foods and she tells me that she can't afford it on what they get. They are retired and live on a limited income. She also lives in a small town so not as much price add matching

kiminita

Thank you for this. I am a sociologist...and yes, it is VERY important to look at the social conditions from which people arise, and what they DO and DO NOT have access to. Beer and cigarettes are expensive, but EVERYONE has their own vice. Middle class people probably have their own vice that are RELATIVELY the same price. Anyway, these observations are YOUR observations, and cannot be generalized.

I'm so not against food stamps! My problem is not with people who are on food stamps! I have friends who are on food stamps who truly need it to get by. And yes, I agree there are reasons why these people are obese, which in my opinion don't have much to do with education, but more with the fact that they are already living perhaps unhappy lives, so they use food to comfort them (as I used to do), or they don't find time to make healthy meals. HOWEVER, I think people should only satisfy their vices if they can afford it! Why should I, a tax payer, have to pay for someone's food when they have enough money for booze, cigarettes, a flat-screen TV, etc. If they have enough money for that, they have enough money to pay for their own food. It's ridiculous.

You are projecting though and you CANNOT speak for them! You don't REALLY know the reasons they are buying what they are buying, and their lifestyles. It is impossible to be objective because we are ALL speaking from SOME perspective.
P.S. I never accused you of being against foodstamps, either. I'm just asking you to look at differently, not just from your perspective.

audram420

Our tax money goes to a lot of other crappy things besides food stamps. Just saying.

magdamccraven

As an obese person with a bachelors degree in education who is currently disabled and on food stamps, I am somewhat offended.

I don't think you should be paying so much attention to what they have in their cart or how they are paying.

I'm not trying to start an argument really, I am not. Your generalizations are irritating to me. If I want to have a frozen pizza or have $10.00 to spend on a pack of cigs and choose to do that instead of buy 5 pounds of broccoli just ring it up.

Jorra

Not only poor people buy junk food. I can understand being upset because they are using essentially other people's money to buy junk food. However, if there is no restriction on what they can buy, they will buy what they want just like anyone else. Also, less healthy food IS cheaper in most cases. It is also easier to buy pre-made processed food when you don't have time to cook. A lot of people on food stamps work long hours to make enough money to survive and they don't have time or the know-how to cook a healthy meal.

As for having money for alcohol and cigarettes, just because you are on food stamps doesn't mean you have NO money. If they have a little extra from their job, they can do with it what they want. If their way of relaxing is with alcohol and nicotine, fine.

kiminita

Our tax money goes to a lot of other crappy things besides food stamps. Just saying.

DAMN STRAIGHT. Like Wallstreet bail-outs

crazygirl78

Wow, you must have really been stalking those poor people to have such a report on their grocery experience! Obviously they have issues you would not understand unless you have been there. They don't need you staring them down while they shop.

Unwrapping_Candy

I think it might have something to do with this:

1 head of lettuce is generally around $1.00 and contains about 80 calories. That's $0.013 per calorie.

1 1/2 gallon of cheap vanilla ice cream is about $1.00 and contains about 600 calories. That's $0.0017 per calorie.

That means it is 7.6 times more expensive per calorie to eat the lettuce than the ice cream. And that is why I think those of limited income/limited means eat much more ice cream and other junk food than lettuce and health food. These types of comparisons repeat often when comparing many junk-type foods to health-type foods. It's quite sad.

ejohndrow

This country is ridiculous, there are so many processed foods that are made to seem 'healthy' that even educated people seem confused at times. I've never worked in a store so I haven't seen what people buy with food stamps, but I sometimes scratch my head when I see what is 'Foodstamp' or 'WIC' approved.

But as a whole America is ridiculous when it comes to nutrition-we have apples injected with grape flavoring, 100 calorie snacks, lowfat yogurt, healthy choice meals-sometimes we just need to stop and simplify what we eat-whether we're on food stamps or not. There are foods such as dried beans, rice, lentils etc. where a little can go a long way. It takes time but it's easy to prepare them. As someone above said, it's a matter of education.

Bmoney11239

As an obese person with a bachelors degree in education who is currently disabled and on food stamps, I am somewhat offended.

I don't think you should be paying so much attention to what they have in their cart or how they are paying.

I'm not trying to start an argument really, I am not. Your generalizations are irritating to me. If I want to have a frozen pizza or have $10.00 to spend on a pack of cigs and choose to do that instead of buy 5 pounds of broccoli just ring it up.

AMEN!

kiminita

You guys rock.

Elizabeth_C34

I used to work in a grocery store. You'd be amazed to see what people buy with food stamps. For instance... $200 in food and spend $50 + on booze and cigs.

I've also worked in a grocery store. You can't buy booze and cigs with food stamps

Ditto.




I always knew who the food stamp customers were by the mountain of crap in the cart, sad to say. WIC at least had restrictions on items.

P.S. Not saying this to be mean, but it was universally true when I worked in a grocery store in college.

I don't understand how YOUR UNIQUE and INDIVIDUAL observation could be universal. Did you work in every part of the country in all different types of neighborhoods?

Calm down and breathe.

I never said food stamps were bad, just that the vast majority of folks who came through our store bought piles of junk food.

Food stamps are a great thing for people who need it. My grandfather is on it, and it's been a godsend, but nearly every person I saw come through the line with food stamps when I was working at a grocery store bought nothing but absolute junk food and many of them also bought $50+ in cigarettes and a couple of 40's on top of it. It wasn't said to be mean. It's the truth. Sorry if it doesn't sit well with your views.

It was astonishing to me how much money is given out on those cards too. I helped my grandfather apply for food stamps last year, and they initially gave him $250 per month as a single 80 year old man. He told them it was too much, but the amount given out is non-negotiable. He used maybe $100 of it and sometimes no more than $50 per month. He eats good healthy food, but doesn't eat much.

Unwrapping_Candy

I think it might have something to do with this:

1 head of lettuce is generally around $1.00 and contains about 80 calories. That's $0.013 per calorie.

1 1/2 gallon of cheap vanilla ice cream is about $1.00 and contains about 600 calories. That's $0.0017 per calorie.

That means it is 7.6 times more expensive per calorie to eat the lettuce than the ice cream. And that is why I think those of limited income/limited means eat much more ice cream and other junk food than lettuce and health food. These types of comparisons repeat when comparing many junk-type foods to health-type foods. It's quite sad.

I get you, but I think this examples oversimplifies extremely complicated social conditions. Imagine trying to feed a growing family with lettuce and other cheap (but not so filling) foods.

That's pretty much exactly what I was getting at. :P

kiminita

I think it might have something to do with this:

1 head of lettuce is generally around $1.00 and contains about 80 calories. That's $0.013 per calorie.

1 1/2 gallon of cheap vanilla ice cream is about $1.00 and contains about 600 calories. That's $0.0017 per calorie.

That means it is 7.6 times more expensive per calorie to eat the lettuce than the ice cream. And that is why I think those of limited income/limited means eat much more ice cream and other junk food than lettuce and health food. These types of comparisons repeat when comparing many junk-type foods to health-type foods. It's quite sad.

I get you, but I think this examples oversimplifies extremely complicated social conditions. Imagine trying to feed a growing family with lettuce and other cheap (but not so filling) foods.

That's pretty much exactly what I was getting at. :P

I know! but dang I misread, got so excited...lol

paulaGetshealthy

You are projecting though and you CANNOT speak for them! You don't REALLY know the reasons they are buying what they are buying, and their lifestyles. It is impossible to be objective because we are ALL speaking from SOME perspective.
P.S. I never accused you of being against foodstamps, either. I'm just asking you to look at differently, not just from your perspective.

Ohhhhh myyyyy godddddd, I don't care about the reason about why they buy what they buyyyyyy. I get it, they have reasons to be unhealthy. Read my initial post that says that I KNOW that not all people on food stamps are unhealthy. This is ONE observation, (though this wasn't the only time I've seen this) and I know I don't know everyone's situations. I GET IT. My point is that people are using cash that they earned to buy stuff that they don't need and use other people's money for their food!

lor007

This country is ridiculous, there are so many processed foods that are made to seem 'healthy' that even educated people seem confused at times. I've never worked in a store so I haven't seen what people buy with food stamps, but I sometimes scratch my head when I see what is 'Foodstamp' or 'WIC' approved.

FYI: "WIC" has a very limited amount of approved foods including infant formula, canned baby foods, milk, cheese, peanut butter and dried beans. Technically, all food is "Food stamp approved" as long as it comes from a store that accepts that form of payment.

1234terri

We don't even understand our privilege until a subject like this comes up, and whammo, out it comes. At 21, instead of making narrow assumptions, be curious and open to learning about why things are. The course of discovery may change your mind.

I can't stand that my taxes pay for fighter jets, and that's a lot worse than junk food.

Unwrapping_Candy

I think it might have something to do with this:

1 head of lettuce is generally around $1.00 and contains about 80 calories. That's $0.013 per calorie.

1 1/2 gallon of cheap vanilla ice cream is about $1.00 and contains about 600 calories. That's $0.0017 per calorie.

That means it is 7.6 times more expensive per calorie to eat the lettuce than the ice cream. And that is why I think those of limited income/limited means eat much more ice cream and other junk food than lettuce and health food. These types of comparisons repeat when comparing many junk-type foods to health-type foods. It's quite sad.

I get you, but I think this examples oversimplifies extremely complicated social conditions. Imagine trying to feed a growing family with lettuce and other cheap (but not so filling) foods.

That's pretty much exactly what I was getting at. :P

I know! but dang I misread, got so excited...lol

It's all good love. :flowerforyou:

jazzdspazz

I'm just sayin. Let me buy my tub of pig lard if I want, its hard out hea for a piamp

kiminita

You are projecting though and you CANNOT speak for them! You don't REALLY know the reasons they are buying what they are buying, and their lifestyles. It is impossible to be objective because we are ALL speaking from SOME perspective.
P.S. I never accused you of being against foodstamps, either. I'm just asking you to look at differently, not just from your perspective.

Ohhhhh myyyyy godddddd, I don't care about the reason about why they buy what they buyyyyyy. I get it, they have reasons to be unhealthy. Read my initial post that says that I KNOW that not all people on food stamps are unhealthy. This is ONE observation, (though this wasn't the only time I've seen this) and I know I don't know everyone's situations. I GET IT. My point is that people are using cash that they earned to buy stuff that they don't need and use other people's money for their food!

Other people's money are used for WAY worse things, and BIGGER portions of it, at that. Seriously. Look at how much of tax revenue actually goes into it versus other things, like say I don't know the $12 trillion bail out to bankers that wrecked our economy. Why are people so hung up on this supposed "drain" on our system?

Bmoney11239

what i say is, live and let live.............. simple.

prettybrownround

As an obese person with a bachelors degree in education who is currently disabled and on food stamps, I am somewhat offended.

I don't think you should be paying so much attention to what they have in their cart or how they are paying.

I'm not trying to start an argument really, I am not. Your generalizations are irritating to me. If I want to have a frozen pizza or have $10.00 to spend on a pack of cigs and choose to do that instead of buy 5 pounds of broccoli just ring it up.

Luv it

GettinMyLifeBck

Since Ive started this lifestyle change my total at the cash registar has doubled each week! I am a nurse and I wish I could qualify for food stamps! Funny that some people were saying they could tell the people with food stamps by the junk.in.the cart!! When i use to go grocery shopping sometimes the cashier would say is this with your Texas snap card and I would say"I wish Bank of America here" People need to stop with the sterotypes.....Maybe America should stop injecting the meat with hormones and chemicals..

ejohndrow

This country is ridiculous, there are so many processed foods that are made to seem 'healthy' that even educated people seem confused at times. I've never worked in a store so I haven't seen what people buy with food stamps, but I sometimes scratch my head when I see what is 'Foodstamp' or 'WIC' approved.

FYI: "WIC" has a very limited amount of approved foods including infant formula, canned baby foods, milk, cheese, peanut butter and dried beans. Technically, all food is "Food stamp approved" as long as it comes from a store that accepts that form of payment.

Dude. I'm not trying to start a fight.

kiminita

We don't even understand our privilege until a subject like this comes up, and whammo, out it comes. At 21, instead of making narrow assumptions, be curious and open to learning about why things are. The course of discovery may change your mind.

I can't stand that my taxes pay for fighter jets, and that's a lot worse than junk food.

You're awesome
Privilege is important to acknowledge, and thank you for that. We are ALL speaking from some point of privilege--the fact that we are even typing on computers on a website dedicated to weight loss. THAT is privilege.

catshark209

"Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well- warmed, and well-fed."


That being said, being that I am working class and have been on food stamps in the past ( corporate cut store hours due to local LE agencies suffering cutbacks, it trickled down ) I find your post completely offensive. You have absolutely no idea what the f uck you're talking about nor do you have any right to judge everyone by that one person you saw with all that junk.

Sure, I've seen my neighbors at my local grocery store loading up with that cheap punch in the gallon bottles, Cheez Whiz, candy, cookies, and those nasty premade carrot cakes but I have also seen Soccer Mom at the "nice" grocery store loading up on Hot Pockets, pie from the bakery, TV dinners, "nicer" brands of chips, and "nicer" brands of cookies.
People are people, and people tend to eat nasty food products.

dlei456

Since Ive started this lifestyle change my total at the cash registar has doubled each week! I am a nurse and I wish I could qualify for food stamps! Funny that some people were saying they could tell the people with food stamps by the junk.in.the cart!! When i use to go grocery shopping sometimes the cashier would say is this with your Texas snap card and I would say"I wish Bank of America here" People need to stop with the sterotypes.....Maybe America should stop injecting the meat with hormones and chemicals..

That sucks that happens to you in this day and age!!!! What a bunch of jerky cashiers.