No junk food purchases for those on food stamps

[cata5]

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Part of the article:

It's apparently driving some people nuts -- seeing food stamps used to buy cheese curls, cookies, chips and other junk food at the local grocery store.

And if Gov. Tim Pawlenty has his way, the snacks will be replaced by Brussels sprouts and other wholesome foods. It was one of the more eye-catching aspects of his proposal this week to overhaul the state's welfare system -- namely, requiring that food stamps be used only to buy nutritious foods.

But the idea has prompted questions among nutritionists and people who work with food-stamp recipients


This is something being proposed by the Gov. of Mn. What do you think?


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[chippers21]

My gut reaction is that it is too much government interference. I think food stamps should not be used for cigs or alcohol but junk food is going too far.


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[FUNdamental]

This argument has been around for ages, and if implemented would be very difficult to enforce. The Snack Food Association lobbies heavily to have their members' products not labeled “not nutritious,” and to have their products available to all, regardless of income status. Also, snack food is cheaper than fress vegetables, so, less volume of food can be a difficult transition for many.

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[luvmetender]

Originally posted by chippers21
My gut reaction is that it is too much government interference. I think food stamps should not be used for cigs or alcohol but junk food is going too far.


But if the government is providing the food stamps, don't they have the right to control what they are used for? I worked for a short time at a grocery store and it was appalling to me what some people used their food stamps to pay for. Twinkies? Coke? Shouldn't the food have SOME nutritional value?

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[rualakin]

Years ago hubby kids and I were on food stamps. We struggled months before we broke down and got them... it was utterly humiliating to go to that office and be treated like "low lifes". Anyway, we would plan six weeks of meals and go to the grocery shopping in bulk and hitting all the sales we could... I learned to make those puppies stretch!
Our idea of splurging was having enough left over to buy a fancy london broil! LOL!! We did buy a bulk package of chips (fifty snack bags for about seven dollars), lunch meat, and canned store brand soda so we wouldnt have to buy fast food or out of a sandwich machine at work.
Occasionally, we would get a frozen pizza for those days when no one felt like cooking, but it was really rare.
We were so sick of living on pinto beans, potatos, eggs and tuna patties that real hearty food was like junk food to us LOL!!!!!

I will eternally be grateful for that help we got back when we worked and worked and still couldn't pay the bills...... now we are on no assistance, I'm a stay at home mom, and we own a house! That comfort zone of knowing there was food, allowed hubby to quit the cruddy job he had and move into a well paying job because we knew we had that buffer... it was such a blessing!

Sometimes I think it is the way people view the program... it is a blessing and a gift, not a right!

rual


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