Do you think that the government should regulate what people can buy with food stamps?

Question

I work in a grocery store. As a taxpayer it is hard not to get upset at what I see people using their food stamps for. I see people buy 40.00 birthday cakes, sub sandwiches that the deli makes to order,crab legs and shrimp that cost 10.00 or 15.00 a pound. Worse yet, they buy 2 lbs of crab legs for 30.00 and then make their kids live off of ramen noodles! Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this picture? Isn't a 40.00 birthday cake excessive? The subs cost 8.00 each and for 8.00 you can buy a lb of lunchmeat and a loaf of bread. For 30.00 you can feed a family of 4 a healthy meal like chicken and rice and a salad instead of forcing your kids to eat noodles that are high in fat and low in nutrients. I even saw a lady buy over 100.00 in deli platters. I don't care how people spend their money, but when they use their food stamps on frivolous things, they are wasting my money and yours. I work hard for a living, only to watch people abuse the system on things I do without.

The sandwiches are prepared foods.They make them like they do at subway, yet you can't use your food stamps at subway.How is that any different? Also I agree that it does cut into their buying power. However, it sould not be at the expense of their children. Ramen noodles are not a healthy diet for children who are under 10 and still growing. Particularly when it is the main staple of their diet

Caciansf: Good point about the cars they drive. I don't need to see them though. All I have to do to get even more angry is to look at the Coach and Louis Vuitton bags in their hands to get mad.

Answer 1

It is regulated, just not enough. I used to work at a convenience store, It would rage me to see mothers buy nothing but junk, ie. candy, chips, ready made sandwiches less the ones that had to be heated. After some time I managed to just say 'oh well', because no matter what they buy the money is going to be spent.

As far as wasting your money, well, taxes go into a pot and get dispersed, so maybe you are paying for the much wasted NASA Program?

I too get food stamps, but spend it wisely. The only thing I buy which I put in the 'nicety' group is Coke. I figure I don't do milk or OJ so it's a tradeoff. Ice cream, chips, etc, I use my own money, what little I have.

Answer 2

It's a sticky wicket. I agree with you. The government does regulate what can NOT be bought with food stamps - cigarettes, liquor, beer. But it is a little irksome to see someone purchase A) the crappy ramen noodles in bulk (they are cheap but they are not nutrional) or B) the excesses of $15/lb. seafood with tax dollars. The thing is that once you tell them what they can't buy with foodstamps, and they abide by that (hopefully, altho I know some make deals) and you've handed over the responsibility along with the generosity.... then you can't tell them what permissable foods they *should* be buying and eating on the basis that it is more healthy or more practical. At that point, it's their business.

Truly, once the tax dollars are taken from you (before you even get your share of the paycheck) your voice in it is gone. Sad but true.

A better system is WIC. The program for pregnant women and children to the age of 5, I believe. They do have the guidelines of what foods can be gotten for the vouchers and they are all healthy foods. Those things and nothing else can be obtained with the vouchers. (of course you already know this if you're a cashier). That's a good program that actually serves it's purpose of ensuring decent nutrition at a time in life when it's desperately needed. And in order to stay on them you must go regularly and discuss nutrition with them, otherwise you're dropped from the program. Not saying good nutrition should be stopped at age 5 but at least it's not a bottomless pit program where someone could milk it for generations while not learning a beneficial thing or two.

Answer 3

I completely know how you feel and I have been preaching this for years. My first job was at a gas station and I can't tell you how much food stamps were used for candy/junkfood/sodas, it would drive me insane! I couldn't imagine how annoyed I would get seeing it in such large volumes as you do. Yes, you are correct in saying it is excessive and out of control. I'm a lib. and all for helping people who need it, but I also do not like being taken advantage of...and that is what these people are doing. There should be limits, at least on prepared food--that is a VERY good idea.

Answer 4

People who aren't receiving FA buy the same amount of junk food, if not more. The gov't wants those eligible on FA it benefits the grower, the retailers, etc - they will never restrict what one can purchase (with the exception of cigs, booze, taxable items, etc). How many people know you can buy plants or seed with FA?? Not many....people are always amazed when I tell them this, it's not widely known. WIC, university extensions, food banks and the USDA do have free nutritional workshops/classes available (WIC requires attendance) - not many take advantage of these services though. Maybe the answer is to require every applicant to attend some kind of onsite workshop prior to approval.

Answer 5

I agree. I do not see anything wrong with these lazy people buying the ingreedients for MAKING their own cakes. And as for the crab leggs - so what they are expensive and that will just cut into their buying power.

I also think they should be allowed to buy the deli foods. But they should not be able to buy anything that is prepared that is not a nessassary food item like a cake.

If you think that the things they buy are excessive or extravagant look out the window and see what car they are driving.

That is if you really want to get mad.

Answer 6

Yes. The stamps are provided by tax dollars so the government has every right to say what can or cannot be purchased.

Answer 7

Absolutely.

Answer 8

I agree. The problem becomes one of enforcement; who's going to make the decision? Certainly abuses occur, but hopefully it is not by every one who uses them.

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

sad thing is, they cant use them to buy diapers for their babies or tylenol, soap, toilet paper. maybe they are selling those items to pay for these items...