How Should Food Stamps (i.e., Lone Star Card) be Used. (Tyler: credit, how much)

[KimFreebish]

Even brown rice, while more expensive than white, is cheap. I love black beans and brown rice with cilantro. A very inexpensive and healthy meal.

You can buy frozen vegetables for often less than a dollar a bag.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by thesouthwest

Lots of hoodrats in Htown always offer to buy me $10.00 worth of food at the convenience store for "bus fare".

Yeah- "bus fare"... just like they need "gas money" for their car that's out of sight.

[LilyLady]

Originally Posted by smtimelevi

Problem isn't entitlements, it's the whole damn system. No government should be so involved so much in people's lives.

Agreed. Next thing you know, the government will be controlling the air we breathe. Oh, wait a minute - they already do that too, don't they?

[doctorjef]

What is this to do with Texas exactly?

[Bo]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

What is this to do with Texas exactly?

AFAIK the rules for the food stamp program are different in individual states. If not, then you're correct that this is off topic here.

[doctorjef]

It appears to me that the food stamp program is almost entirely federally controlled, even though the individual states determine eligibility. Actually, it would seem more that the states certify eligibility according to federal criteria. I'm not sure the states have signficant input into the mechanics of the program. See here: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[smtimelevi]

Originally Posted by LilyLady

Agreed. Next thing you know, the government will be controlling the air we breathe. Oh, wait a minute - they already do that too, don't they?

Not completely but they're givin it hell. Emissions test for vehicles, spare the air days, no burn etc. I completely understand not wanting to breathe filthy smog air but the system is so screwed up. In many states there are emissions per counties,in some states the whole populous is forced to do this. Funny thing is diesels are exempt. Ever seen the plume of smoke one lets out, it way more than my vehicle.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

It appears to me that the food stamp program is almost entirely federally controlled, even though the individual states determine eligibility. Actually, it would seem more that the states certify eligibility according to federal criteria. I'm not sure the states have signficant input into the mechanics of the program. See here: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the article at your link is this quote which muddies the water.

Unlike other federal programs that provide food subsidies, SNAP does not have nutritional standards. In October 2010, New York City proposed excluding sweetened beverages from the program, but federal officials rejected the pilot program.

So it appears to be possible for cities and states to propose local nutrition rules, subject to Federal approval. Since Texas could propose a variation from the Federal program, that makes it on-topic.

[texdav]

Originally Posted by Bo

I just heard a news story recently that stated it was the snack food and beverage lobby that got these guidelines reversed. They didn't want the stigma of having their products officially labeled as "junk food" and their generous donations made legislators happy to oblige their request to remove the label and the restriction.

It'll take more than wishing and complaining to legislators to get that switched back in Texas.

There's also the issue of many people without transportation whose only walking distance food shopping option is places that only sell the food and drink items you listed. People in that situation can't find fresh produce within walking distance.

Don't kid yourself because the looby on food stams is huge. It amean billions for the inductry. The reaso they stopped using stmps is that they became like money even being used to buy drugs.

[pooterposh]

Originally Posted by GradyBaaBaa

Use it to pay your Longhorn Network bill.

???? I am most definitely not a Longhorn fan. You must hve been looking in the mirror.