Should people on food stamps (EBT cards) be allowed to buy junk food?

Question

This has always bothered me when I see it. I can be at a gas station and see someone buying soda, candy, and chips (basically garbage that's over priced since it's not a grocery store) and paying with food stamps. At a grocery store while I stand in line with my hot dogs, mac & cheese and everything store brand I see someone buying cases of soda, frozen pizzas, and just plain over priced name brand crap. Shouldn't we limit what can be bought? I mean if I had to use gov. assistance I would be watching how I spent my money and not buying junk food.

Just for the smarta**'s my hot dogs & mac and cheese isn't being bought with tax dollars. I work for a living and have NEVER used the system for anything. My choice's in food is MY choice since I use my own money to buy it. They aren't using their own money. They are using mine, and yours, think about it.

Answer 1

definately not. my tax dollars are paying for them to use that card and it should be going to things they need. it should be controlled like WIC. WIC is a financial assistance similar to EBT that only allows people to buy things for babies (formula, diapers, etc). EBT should only allow for essential food items and maybe a certain dollar amount of chips/soda etc.

Answer 2

They only get a certain dollar amount no matter what they buy. So what does it matter what they buy with it once it's gone it's gone. I could care less if others eat healthy or not. but then again I have a life of my own to maintain I don't consider myself the keeper of other people. and also to address all of those people who are up in arms about their tax dollars going towards food stamps for other people.....have you ever considered that those people have also worked and paid through their own taxes for those food stamps?? or are you so simple and narrow minded that you just assume that everyone that is on food stamps has never had a job in their life? I have been working since I was 16 years old and paying my taxes I am now 30 years old and have recently beenlaid off from my job and am currently on food stamps to make ends meet. And YES I buy "junk food" or snacks in moderation just like everyone else.

Answer 3

No. It should be very conditional in its' usage. In order to achieve the greatest value per dollar, you should only be able to purchase foods that provide a certain nutritional value and ability to create meals that can served in bulk.

I don't see the point of having funds available, in this capacity, if it can go towards foodstuffs that are more befitting the types of items you purchase with discretionary income. It does help in feeding those who need to be fed in an adequate manner plus it demonstrates poor economic skills at best.

Some would argue to me that we have no right to dictate that which some would consider to be adequate or proper sustenance for an individual and that college students survive off of this type of eating all the time. While it is true that one can survive (barely) from junk food, I think that most can agree that it was a very poor choice of food in terms of its ability to keep us full, healthy or in a mindset of frugality.

I'm not saying starve people, but we know what the staples of a healthy diet are. If I had access to cheese, flour, eggs, milk, fruits, vegetables, sugar, bread and meat alone at a no price or a very low price, I would be a very happy and wealthier man.

When you don't have discretionary income, you should not have the luxury of purchasing foodstuff that justify the additional costs that make those purchases discretionary.

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Answer 4

I do agree with you, but only to a point.
Junk food cost less than things with nutritional value. The less people spend on food, the longer the food stamps last through the month. When people with food stamps spend their stamps on good food, they end up spending more and getting less. It's a nasty cycle that adds to the many reasons of America's obesity problem.

Answer 5

Some of these peoples answers are ridiculous . I work and my own tax money goes to my foodstamps and about junk food we do buy some especially when we are on the road and my kids get thirsty or hungry and I grab something quick and I buy it so my kids can put weight on them so stop with your negative bull crap

Answer 6

No, they shouldn't be allowed to buy junk. I see this all the time too. Just last weekend I was at Publix. A lady and her three kids were just paying for their groceries with an EBT card as I walked into the line. Her kids came up (each with a candy bar) and said they wanted them. The mom said, "Hang on and let me see if I have enough." She pulled a $20 and a $5 from her wallet, then thought better of it and said to the cashier, "Eh, just take it out of this." and swiped her EBT card again. SO wrong!

Answer 7

No they shouldn't!

I was standing in line at my local grocery store and this woman on food stamps had a balance of $20 that she had to use or loose. She grabbed a handful of candy just use up that last $20. WHAT A WASTE!...... it's an abuse. They should eat better.

Healthier body = brain power to excel and perhaps get a better paying job instead of feeding off food stamps.

Answer 8

Hot dogs and mac &cheese is not healthy food - so it sounds to me as though you're hardly one to judge. If you think that junk food is overpriced, perhaps you need to look at the price of healthy food, fresh fruit, veggies, organics,ect. -because that stuff is more expensive. The checkers at the supermarket are there to ring through purchases. Not to be the food police.

Answer 9

Well, it's their choice. I agree that they shouldn't, but when they run out of food at the end of the month, maybe they'll learn. I have to budget too, and it bothers me, also.

Answer 10

To be totally honest, I don't give a (beep) what they are buying.