Should food stamps be used for sweetened drinks?

Contrary to what some news organizations publish. I really doubt that there's a large proportion of food stamp users who use them to buy an unreasonable amount of sweetened drinks, so I don't see how it's a big issue.

Just curious Joanne.

Why not pose this controversial and potentially inflammatory question in your private group that focuses on sugar?

I actually was thinking of joining your sugar group, but when I perused it, there seemed to be little to no discussion going on. And you were the OP of ever topic posted. So I've decided not to join it.

Instead you came here to ask this stinging question for those who use EBT cards to buy food.

Hmmmm...

Ah well. I guess it's more fun here. At least for rabble rousing.

she never comes back though. Just posts and byebye.

i use all my food stamps at chick fil a. they have a helluva kid's meal.

Why do you hate gay people?

If government wants to regulate something, why not go directly after the sweet drink manufacturers. If "its very likely to reduce type-2 diabetes and obesity among low-income Americans" (- See more at: http://med.stanford.edu/ism/2014/june/snap.html#sthash.dLAfgVPp.dpuf), why stop there? Lets reduce type 2 diabetes and obesity for ALL Americans by implementing a Warning label such as the ones on cigarettes, to warn EVERYONE that sugary drinks may cause type 2 diabetes or obesity.

I totally agree with this. Why not go after the source? I understand the complications of supply & demand, but at the same time, if you want to eradicate something, do your best to go for the source. I don't agree with you on the labeling though.

If anything, food stamps/WIC/EBT is too restrictive in some senses: at the grocery market i work at, families cannot even purchase pre-prepared turkeys with their funding. I understand not wanting to supply families with money that goes towards alcohol and such, but the technicalities of these programs REALLY don't allow for families to easily get the healthiest possible foods!

I've never thought that the people who receive EBT are fat and lazy and just eat junk food. Why would the ones needing help putting food on the table also need education on food nutrition and free gym memberships?

I am on EBT. My grocery list consists of fresh fruits and veggies, meat, eggs, dairy and yes, sometimes I buy a bag of chips or an ice cream bar. Or, a soda. But I was doing that before I was laid off from my first job out of college due to budget cuts. Then had a hard time finding another job because I had less than a year of experience in my field. Now, I am working 3 part time retail jobs trying to make ends meet. My grocery list has not changed since I started receiving EBT, I don't see why it would. Not to mention, you don't get much money on EBT (I get 55 dollars. You know how hard it is to only spend 55 dollars a month on groceries?), so I wouldn't dare waste it on junk food that won't feed me for the month.

If on welfare Absolutley not. All thier food should not be proceed either. Food stamps were created to help people not enable them to be lazy. If they want to buy junk then go get a job. I shouldnt have to pay for you to eat horrible and stay home become fat and then have that be the next reason I have to pay more taxes.

In regards to the non processed food it is generally a lot cheaper to buy a frozen pizza for example than it is to buy all the ingredients to make said pizza including fresh toppings for it. Unfortunately we also live in a day and age where not everyone can get a job due to limited availability. In general most people are 2/3 pay cheques away from potentially losing their home, car, lifestyle. There is no such thing as a "job for life anymore". Life can be a house of cards and if the rug gets ripped out from under you well we can all end up making sacrifices and choices we'd rather not have to.

If on welfare Absolutley not. All thier food should not be proceed either. Food stamps were created to help people not enable them to be lazy. If they want to buy junk then go get a job. I shouldnt have to pay for you to eat horrible and stay home become fat and then have that be the next reason I have to pay more taxes.

Go tell one of the 900,000 military veterans on food stamps what they can and cannot buy.

Re-Read my statement. I SAID ON WELFARE NOT MILITARY

Most processed foods contain added sugar: bread, cereal, pastries. It's not really junk food that causes obesity, it's a glut of calories and a lack of moderation. A big portion of one's diet can be comprised of simple sugars without necessarily causing harm, if a person does not overeat, has varied foods, and exercises often. Of course, a 2 $ bag of rice is going to be of more help to a family in genuine need than $10 of canned water mixed with corn syrup.

Just some food for thought: I have seen a great deal of abuse in the current system. I have watched hundreds of dollars of food go into the trash because someone wanted to purchase an expensive good on food stamps, then asked the vendor to heat it in a microwave - which under state law, bars it from purchase with food aid. This waste causes the price of products to rise for every customer, rich and poor. I have seen many price jumps over the past year, while wages stay the same.

Speaking of aid, if the government is funding something then they have the authority to determine how those funds are allocated for the maximum possible benefit and the least harm to both the recipient and system. It may not be feasible to regulate the kinds of food a person can buy on food stamps, but all Americans should be encouraged to have a role in deciding how their money is spent. It's not "none of your business" or "walk a day in their shoes" when the money has been confiscated from the taxpayer.

Most processed foods contain added sugar: bread, cereal, pastries. It's not really junk food that causes obesity, it's a glut of calories and a lack of moderation. A big portion of one's diet can be comprised of simple sugars without necessarily causing harm, if a person does not overeat, has varied foods, and exercises often. Of course, a 2 $ bag of rice is going to be of more help to a family in genuine need than $10 of canned water mixed with corn syrup.

Just some food for thought: I have seen a great deal of abuse in the current system. I have watched hundreds of dollars of food go into the trash because someone wanted to purchase an expensive good on food stamps, then asked the vendor to heat it in a microwave - which under state law, bars it from purchase with food aid. This waste causes the price of products to rise for every customer, rich and poor. I have seen many price jumps over the past year, while wages stay the same.

Speaking of aid, if the government is funding something then they have the authority to determine how those funds are allocated for the maximum possible benefit and the least harm to both the recipient and system. It may not be feasible to regulate the kinds of food a person can buy on food stamps, but all Americans should be encouraged to have a role in deciding how their money is spent. It's not "none of your business" or "walk a day in their shoes" when the money has been confiscated from the taxpayer.

So true

If on welfare Absolutley not. All thier food should not be proceed either. Food stamps were created to help people not enable them to be lazy. If they want to buy junk then go get a job. I shouldnt have to pay for you to eat horrible and stay home become fat and then have that be the next reason I have to pay more taxes.

Go tell one of the 900,000 military veterans on food stamps what they can and cannot buy.

Re-Read my statement. I SAID ON WELFARE NOT MILITARY

Do you not realize many of our veterans are on welfare?

The Red Neck is strong in this thread...

If on welfare Absolutley not. All thier food should not be proceed either. Food stamps were created to help people not enable them to be lazy. If they want to buy junk then go get a job. I shouldnt have to pay for you to eat horrible and stay home become fat and then have that be the next reason I have to pay more taxes.

Go tell one of the 900,000 military veterans on food stamps what they can and cannot buy.

This...I dare ya!

NON Working welfare

If on welfare Absolutley not. All thier food should not be proceed either. Food stamps were created to help people not enable them to be lazy. If they want to buy junk then go get a job. I shouldnt have to pay for you to eat horrible and stay home become fat and then have that be the next reason I have to pay more taxes.

In regards to the non processed food it is generally a lot cheaper to buy a frozen pizza for example than it is to buy all the ingredients to make said pizza including fresh toppings for it. Unfortunately we also live in a day and age where not everyone can get a job due to limited availability. In general most people are 2/3 pay cheques away from potentially losing their home, car, lifestyle. There is no such thing as a "job for life anymore". Life can be a house of cards and if the rug gets ripped out from under you well we can all end up making sacrifices and choices we'd rather not have to.

Medical Bills would be higher then learning to live on a budget like the rest of us. But then again the NON Working people dont care about who is paying thier bills because we are.

Umm but people who live on benefits are by definition having to live on a budget dictated by the level of income they receive in the form of benefits. Additionally I can't speak for the US system but in the UK a deduction is made towards National Insurance contributions from awarded benefits so they are in fact still paying taxes and contributing to the NHS for healthcare costs. Plus the reason deductions are made from working peoples salaries is so that the funds are there to help if somebody ceases to be employed for a period of time. It's supposed to be a safety net not a lifestyle choice.

The unemployment system here is extremely complicated and people are sanctioned on benefit payments a lot of the time. Which essentially leaves them with zero income coming in. This has then increased the use of food banks, and when people do find work they are immediately cut from benefits so they generally have a month with no income for food/travel/living expenses. The system is extremely flawed.

I don't think we should give the right to make decisions to people with NON functioning brain cells. It's my tax money and I should have a say in who gets to have a say in social issues.

If on welfare Absolutley not. All thier food should not be proceed either. Food stamps were created to help people not enable them to be lazy. If they want to buy junk then go get a job. I shouldnt have to pay for you to eat horrible and stay home become fat and then have that be the next reason I have to pay more taxes.

Go tell one of the 900,000 military veterans on food stamps what they can and cannot buy.

Re-Read my statement. I SAID ON WELFARE NOT MILITARY

Do you not realize many of our veterans are on welfare?

Let me rephrase NON Working welfare

What does that even mean?

1. There are many people on welfare who work, but can't make enough to live.

2. There are many veterans on welfare who don't work, for whatever reason.

You can't just make up terms that don't exist and expect to have a discussion.

English is tough for you, so I will break it down for ya.
1) Have never went to work
2) Have no intention to go to work
3) Family is generational on welfare
4) Teach their kids to scam the system
I hope this helps with the term NON -WORKING. These are the people that we should have more say in what they can and can not do. If I pay for them I should say how my money is spent. If you have never seen the above you need to go to your local walmart around the 1st and 15th of the month. You will get an eye opener.

Hold up - so you're only against people who have never worked drinking soda from food stamps? You're okay with a person who works 3 jobs but can't afford their groceries to buy a pop?

But even if that answer is true, you would be surprised to know that the majority of people on welfare don't fall into that category. And if we make rules for welfare that only are directed at the minority, but effect the majority . . . well, that doesn't make any sense.

English is not tough for me.
Common sense is impossible for you.