Readers' Comments

OK, I agree that there are those who abuse the system and there are those who do not. To those who do not, I have no issue paying taxes to help, but I really don't believe that soda, chips and other assorted "junk" should be paid for with tax dollars. On the same hand, I think it is plain stupid that toothpaste, toilet paper and other hygiene products are not included. What I believe to be fair and just, is simple. Dairy, produce and select meats (no steaks or "low grade" meat). If you want cheap burger, hot dogs, etc., you need to buy it with your own money. If you want Oreo cookies or Froot Loops or juice boxes... buy it.. with your own money. I am willing to help with food that is not filled with a list of ingredients that I cannot pronounce.

To those who do abuse the system... You are the scum of the earth. You take from those who actually need the help. GET A JOB!

Now for the reason I believe our elected corporate sponsors say that brown eggs and sharp cheddar are not to be included... in one word, Monsanto.

If you want the system changed, then you need to change the system. Stop electing corporate sponsors.

Like you, I have often been reduced to purchasing bargain brands because of funds - and maybe a few years ago, would have written a post such as yours. I think that now, when we have seen the problems junky processed foods wage on our population in regards to obesity, diabetes and other health concerns, that letting those on assistance choose more healthy options is really in OUR best interest.

The poor will only get sicker -and require more assistance - if they can not choose better options. That means more costs to you and me in the long run. Yes, working folks can not always buy "organic" or "free range" and I doubt many folks on food assistance still won't either because of the cost; they will want their SNAP funds to go further. But I think this law will only relegate people into having to eat unhealthy food.

I am so amazed at people calling others on Foodshare 'lazy' and 'go get a job'. I have three PT jobs, and also two kids. The benefits that I get doesn't just go towards what I eat, but towards what my kids eat as well. Why should they not have a choice of eating healthy food items because they are poor? Don't you want them to be healthy individuals, who would grow up to not be struggling with poor diet induced diseases? Seriously! Are we living in a society or what? Do you also complain about your tax dollars going towards roads that you probably would never drive on? How about keeping a track of all the places where you don't drive and then complaining about your tax dollars going towards it. Or how about making sure the city is putting out more fires in rich neighborhoods, because I am sure they are contributing more towards the tax money. Most food share recipients are either the elderly or little kids and child poverty is highest in the US compared to all other industrialized countries. Read something and get educated before you start complaining about 'lazy poor people' with multiple jobs struggling to make ends meet. I have no problem with restrictions on junk food, but what about kids who are lactose intolerant, 'American cheese singles' are not healthy either! Not to mention that being jewish, we can only eat food that is kosher and with all these restrictions, we would have to plain eliminate certain stuff from our diet, or pay it out of pocket, which would put strain on all other aspects of our lives. But of course, because we are poor, we should be happy that we are even getting food and then be subject to all health issues that come with poor diet, because we had the misfortune of being poor. Too bad right. Seriously what kind of selfish, self centered people are you?

Impeach the idiots!

How pathetic that this topic would be used to produce a class war. I do not receive food benefits but I will tell you as a disabled person that has worked over 35 years, paid taxes, and now because of the cost of living have to really stretch those buckos; I choose organic because they are, really, in the long run, less expensive. We all pay for it on one end or the other. Either you eat a little less and eat good, nutritious food and avoid some medical bills; or you eat processed crap and pay the doctor. I have chosen to stay as healthy as I can and because someone is getting assistance they should be able to choose for themselves and not be forced to purchase processed crap! This is what would be done with this law. You get just so much money and must be used for food. I can see not allowing snacks and sodas and such but the person should be able to choose organic if they want.

Your unwillingness to use your food budget to buy certain foods is not a reason to prevent me from doing so.

I'm guessing that (given your argument using the criminal stores & FS recipients buying alcohol) you're also in favor of banning self-defense tools for everyone just because a few criminals use them to harm innocent citizens. (The number of crimes committed using guns is something like 1/100th of the number of times citizens use guns to defend themselves.)

I live there too - report them

If you know that those stores are committing fraud, REPORT THEM!
Report the people who are misusing foodshare.
Fraud costs all of us money, so rooting it out leaves more money for those of us who need it. Send the criminals to prison & they'll never be able to get foodshare again.

For the VAST majority of items, it is not legal to buy anything other than food with foodshare.
(There are exceptions, but they are very rare and do NOT include drugs, of which nicotine & alcohol are the most commonly used.)

"working people paying into that system cannot even afford to eat that well why should those getting handouts"

a) those "handouts" are the tax money I've paid into the system coming back to me

b) you can make the same choices with your grocery budget that I do with mine. It doesn't matter where the money comes from.

c) my food habits didn't change much when I had to go on foodshare. Yes, I buy less fish & other meat, and less of things like orange juice. But overall I've always been frugal whether it's my original money or my recycled money. Eating lower on the food chain is less expensive & healthier.

"I am limited to them because my budget limits me"
If you have (as an example) $200 per month for food, you can spend it in any way you choose.

If you buy something of better quality in one area, you are choosing to buy lesser quality (or quantity) elsewhere... just as someone who uses foodshare does.

I regularly buy from the 99c old produce bin at Woodman's (used to be 79c until very recently). I'll buy store brand beans (canned & dry), store brand rice, store brand spices, store brand canned vegetables; most of what I buy is under $2/lb so that when I do buy higher quality foods I have the money to do it.

So yes, I do occasionally use my foodshare money to buy meat, or cream, or a cake mix, or juice, or tea, or even cookies. For my birthday I buy a bag of shrimp or a piece of salmon. But I've scrimped on other foods in order to do it.

And BTW, I'd love to be able to get a job which would allow me to support myself. Finding a job at all is hard, finding one with a living wage and healthcare benefits is proving next to impossible.

Maybe if you were to get a better job you wouldn't have to buy the value brand kick rocks and mind your business. People who recieve food share is not lazy. This information comes from the foolish ones

Sounds like a good argument, but sadly, it's not. One of the great lies of our time is that poor sit around and have gourmet items at taxpayer expense, while hard-working Americans foot the bill. It's a lie. While it's true that some folks do game the system the vast majority don't; overwhelmingly most would prefer to make their own living. And those on assistance who choose to eat organic, whether for health reasons or just because they want to, do so at a cost: that assistance won't stretch as far if it's spent on higher ticket organic items. So there's a trade-off built in to the equation. News flash: most welfare recipients don't eat the fancy stuff as they need to stretch every penny. So if they occasionally buy almond butter or organic produce that should be up to them.