Foodstamp question?

Question

Why does the government allow people on foodstamps to buy things such as gum, certs, pop, etc. Its insane. I always assumed that companies such as M&M and Pepsi contribute so much to our wonderful politicians that they sell the taxpayers and the people on foodstamps out. Think about it. If you gave a loved one money to buy food and you see them in the store buying pop and gum almost all of us would be mad and would refuse to just hand over more money (we would probably just buy them good wholesome food ourselves) yet we are forced to continue to allow this abuse from people we don't know and possibly don't care about. Of all the people in this country who need guidance people who can't even afford to feed themselves top the list. I say we only allow them to use foodstamps on the basic foodstuff.

To those who think people can't buy gum w/ foodstamps you are WRONG. 20 years in the grocery business is my proof. And no it is NOT up to the store to decide what they can buy, it is up to the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. They set the rules. People can even get pop from a deli style counter but they can't get the deli sandwiches (they are considered the same as restuarant food which is not allowed)

Answer 1

poor people need gum too. LOL yeah, I agree food stamps should be used for food, not snacks

Answer 2

There's supposed to be a percentage limit on snack foods, but since nobody follows up on it, stores continue to accept the foodstamps for whatever they sell.

It always blows my mind and makes me so angry when I see some woman in the store with all kinds of gold on and a new real designer purse using foodstamps to buy all kinds of expensive cuts of meat and snacks and then whipping out her credit card or cash to pay for beer and cigarettes and other stuff that isn't covered by foodstamps. I mean I work 60 hours a week and drive a 10-year-old car and can't afford that kind of stuff and yet these women have new cars and even their kids are wearing gold. It really gets to me sometimes.

I live in South Texas - on the border with Mexico - and I see this kind of abuse every single day and it seems like there is no checking up. I've never heard of anyone getting in trouble for foodstamp fraud.

And what about all of the other free services like health care, housing subsidies, etc? It's pretty depressing because I know that a lot of these people aren't even citizens and here I am paying taxes through the nose and I can barely take care of my own family!

Answer 3

That is actually an issue with the grocers. Their systems mark something as food, non-food, or alcohol. If it is in the non-food or alcohol listing, it will not ring up against the food stamps. But if it's listed as food in the grocer's system, it does. They don't have a break down for candy, soda, and junk food. You have to keep in mind that most of this stuff is electronically done now, and the computers only know what they're told.

And there's a certain amount of personal responsibility in the food stamps system. You must take into account the costs of junk foods, soda, and candy. I have been on food stamps twice now, once in Florida, once in Utah. The government gives you a certain amount of food money and then it's up to you how you spend it. You can spend the money on junk food and frozen entrees if you want (I have done this on occasion for special treats/occasions - we even got my daughter a deli sandwhich once for a reward for good work at school), but it won't stretch near as far. And you don't get any more until the next month. The people on food stamps need to show personal responsibility and budget to make sure their food stamps will stretch to feed their entire family for the entire month.

PS - To everyone saying their state has certain rules, etc. The food stamp program is a Federal program and has the same regulations nationwide about what is covered. The only things that change in different locals are how you qualify, because cost of living is different in different areas.

Answer 4

I worked as a cashier at a grocery store for 10 years. A woman with food stamps would come through and buy a birthday cake, ice cream, name brand pop and potato chips. Her boyfriend would be right behind her and buy the cigarettes and the beer. Meanwhile, I would never buy a candy bar (22cents at that time) unless I had a coupon for a free one. I baked made my own cake and never bought potato chips or name brand pop.

Answer 5

in alot of ways this is true, when you are going through elementry (grade school) parents (well parents i know) don't like giivng thier kids pop and alot of junk food (with occasional acceptions) as you get older they have less influence on your life and Pepsi and Gum in alot of ways take over.
if it isn't pepsi then it is some other food sorce that is leading to obesity for all over the world.
So yes i do believe that foodstamps should be used on basic (healthy) food sluply.

Answer 6

correction food stamps are for people who cant either afford to eat or cannot work or usually women with children who need Public assistance to say that buying snacks isnt right is a wrong thing to say, especially if this person on PA dosent have the money to treat themselves to, if you were on PA with kids and didnt have money for snacks and your child wanted a snack you would feel like sh1t if you couldnlt afford it, so its no ones business what people do with their food stamps dont hate cuz you dont get them, and if your wondering if i get food stamps no i dont imma net engineer for a bank but I know people on PA, and for the chick who responded "poor people need gum too" that was a snobby dipsh1t comment to say, you dont need to be poor to have foodstamps you dumba55

Answer 7

Dude, its because it would be to much trouble for the cashiers to weed out all that stuff in the check-out lines,, only reason. Anyway, there is alotta stuff more messed up in this country right now than foodstamps,,, lol,, if only that was the MAJOR problem.

Answer 8

My own state requirements for use of food stamps limit the types of foods eligible for purchase.

As one person has already stated...the food must be recognized specially by the government as a food with appropriate nutritional value.

It does not allow for gum, candies, and the like!

Answer 9

Yes. I agree with you. And also another thing that I can't stand is to see people sellthere foodstamps. I watched someone hand a man her card and he got food with it and then handed her drugs. They should have a signature where you have to sign or something!

Answer 10

I agree with you, the system is all F......UP I say we all quit our jobs have tons of kids, stay at home, and let the gov support us.We should screw the system just like the rest of my family does! hahaha By the way my sisters and cousins thank all of you who pay taxes to send their kids to school and pay for their clothes an food ;)