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(Aug. 6) -- In a rare show of bipartisanship in Washington, the Senate voted unanimously to pass the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Among other things, the bill reauthorizes federal child nutrition programs, sets nutritional standards for food sold in schools and boosts reimbursement rates for school lunch programs.
(Aug. 6) -- In a rare show of bipartisanship in Washington, the Senate voted unanimously to pass the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Among other things, the bill reauthorizes federal child nutrition programs, sets nutritional standards for food sold in schools and boosts reimbursement rates for school lunch programs.
It's about time. They dole out food stamps according to how many people in the home and to give them each 3 meals plus some - but when the schools and Head Starts are providing 2 of the day's meals, the families don't need that many food stamps.
Very much of the food bought with food stamps isn't food anyway, as long as people fill their carts with soft drinks, candies, cookies, and all kinds of junk foods, and the obesity problem is getting out of control it's obvious that cuts should be made.
It's about time. They dole out food stamps according to how many people in the home and to give them each 3 meals plus some - but when the schools and Head Starts are providing 2 of the day's meals, the families don't need that many food stamps.
Very much of the food bought with food stamps isn't food anyway, as long as people fill their carts with soft drinks, candies, cookies, and all kinds of junk foods, and the obesity problem is getting out of control it's obvious that cuts should be made.
In some cases there's a 3rd meal given out by school during the afterschool programs.
The USDA also ran a summer program to feed the kids breakfast and lunch because the schools were closed.
Hmmm... that might not jibe too well with the following...
The number of Americans who are receiving food stamps rose to a record 40.8 million in May as the jobless rate hovered near a 27-year high, the government reported yesterday. ...The figure is projected to rise to 43.3 million in 2011. Food stamp use hit record 40.8 million - The Boston Globe
In some cases there's a 3rd meal given out by school during the afterschool programs.
The USDA also ran a summer program to feed the kids breakfast and lunch because the schools were closed.
Yes, there is a lot of that here where I live. No matter how many food stamps the parent gets, they are not required to feed their children, they can simply dump them off at one of these summer programs to be fed by the taxpayers. That lets the food stamp card holder sell or rent out the card for cash or give the food to boyfriends, or throw parties - whatever they want.
Well I have mixed feelings about this. I know a lot of people abuse the system but I also know two of my former coworkers who get food stamps now because they've been unable to find full-time employment. I would feel better if they started the cuts with people who'd been on food stamps way before the economy went south
Well I have mixed feelings about this. I know a lot of people abuse the system but I also know two of my former coworkers who get food stamps now because they've been unable to find full-time employment. I would feel better if they started the cuts with people who'd been on food stamps way before the economy went south
Well the problem is that there are many ways to double or triple dip the system...
-food stamps
-food programs in schools (breakfast/lunch/snack)
-food pantries
Making full use of the above frees up much of the food stamp money for individuals that have it.
I don't know how to solve the problem. If people were honest enough to only take what they need and not game the system, we would ALL be better off.
I do feel sorry for those that truly need it but all it takes are a few million bad apples to game the system and drive the costs way too high.
I donate to food pantries and I'm really on the fence about just stopping it altogether as sometimes I get so frustrated when I see the types of people showing up to get their free food.
In truth the funds are just being shifted within the same recipient population from one program to another rather then being expanded.
Oh, and for those who want to cut all farm subsidies just be certain you understand that a majority of the funding for farm subsities is directed to nutrition programs (a.k.a. food stamps).
Location: Charlotte,NC, US, North America, Earth, Alpha Quadrant,Milky Way Galaxy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by natalayjones
Well I have mixed feelings about this. I know a lot of people abuse the system but I also know two of my former coworkers who get food stamps now because they've been unable to find full-time employment. I would feel better if they started the cuts with people who'd been on food stamps way before the economy went south
That pretty much sums it up- the abusers get in the way of the legitimate group of people who would honestly use it. However as with a lot of things the "abuse" is much deeper than the person misusing the food card. Do you think retailers that advertise "we accept your food card" here really want this to go away or there to be any restrictions on the type of food purchased? I wonder if there's any lobbyists who would lobby against this.
The sad thing, food stamp abuse is decades old. I *know* all the ways it can be abused are known (the most famous selling the card for some % on the dollar). Yet it goes unchecked and not enforced.
There is still enough funding to care for the folks who really need help. This doesn't bother me.
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