Bill: No snacks for food stamp users

rockin'robin · 02-02-2012, 01:04 PM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Mae Walker uses food stamps to buy what she needs at her neighborhood market.

She likes the freedom of choosing her favorite snacks and is frustrated lawmakers might limit her options.

"Cupcakes, soda, candy -- that's food, so why should they do something like that?" Walker said.

Lawmakers are considering a bill to prevent poorer people from purchasing unhealthy foods with government assistance. As a result, snack foods may be stripped from the list of groceries people on food stamps can buy at the store.

The bill has already passed through a House subcommittee.

Its goal is to promote health and well-being. But store owners who sell the items say it's unfair to control what shoppers can buy.

"By it being unhealthy or healthy, that's up to the people to decide," store manager Tony Khazal said. "I don't think it's up to the government."

In Florida, food stamps are distributed by the Department of Children and Families, which said the program is already designed strictly to help needy families.

"Right now in Duval County, one out of every three children are being helped by food stamps," DCF spokesman John Harrell said. "We're talking about the necessities of life here. If not for this program, then children and families might go hungry."

According to DCF, the number of food stamp recipients has dramatically increased in Duval County over the last five years.

In 2006, just more than 100,000 people were receiving benefits. Now, that number has more than doubled to about 230,000 people.

Proposal aims to ban food stamp users from buying unhealthy food

There have always been restrictions on certain items that are not considered food, such as tobacco, alcohol or vitamins.

Those like Walker say it's unfair to take junk foods off the table, too.

If the bill passes, it's up to the federal government to decide whether or not to allow the state to put the restrictions in place.

Among the items some lawmakers would like to ban are soda, chips and sweets. For example, a cupcake is 180 calories, contains 7 grams of fat, 29 grams of carbohydrates and 240 milligrams of sodium. Its main ingredients are sugar, high fructose corn syrup and chocolate.

Bill: No snacks for food stamp users | News - Home

kokonut · 02-02-2012, 03:45 PM

I doon't know about that one. Sounds like a step in the direction to control and regulate sugar. What's the difference in making your own candies, cakes, kool aid drinks, and cookies at home with all the ingredients you can buy at a store?

Here's something I heard over the radio today on a similar subject about a bill in the House to halt welfare payments at strip clubs, casinos, liquor stores and such.

Quote:

The chamber will again vote Wednesday on a bill which would ensure that electronic withdrawals of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families dollars aren't allowed to be withdrawn from ATMs at strip clubs, casinos or liquor stores. TANF replaced national welfare programs after the welfare reforms of 1996.

House Set to Ban Welfare Payments at Strip Clubs - US News and World Report

In getting free money (at tax payers' expense) to get the necessary subsistence (i.e. food) for their family I'm sure they'd be willing to abide by the rules in order to continue receiving welfare support. If they don't like it then I suppose that'd be an incentive to go out and work instead (for those who are completely able to do so).

PowerON · 02-02-2012, 04:52 PM

Maybe it's other countries look at us as greasy and fat people.

DeafCaroline · 02-02-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokonut

I doon't know about that one. Sounds like a step in the direction to control and regulate sugar. What's the difference in making your own candies, cakes, kool aid drinks, and cookies at home with all the ingredients you can buy at a store?

Here's something I heard over the radio today on a similar subject about a bill in the House to halt welfare payments at strip clubs, casinos, liquor stores and such.

House Set to Ban Welfare Payments at Strip Clubs - US News and World Report

In getting free money (at tax payers' expense) to get the necessary subsistence (i.e. food) for their family I'm sure they'd be willing to abide by the rules in order to continue receiving welfare support. If they don't like it then I suppose that'd be an incentive to go out and work instead (for those who are completely able to do so).

It's been proven over and over again that those who cook their own meals from scratch are generally lower in weight and have less health problems than those who buy premade foods and snacks.

kokonut · 02-02-2012, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeafCaroline

It's been proven over and over again that those who cook their own meals from scratch are generally lower in weight and have less health problems than those who buy premade foods and snacks.

My point was about using sugar at home to make what you want using food stamps. If one cannot buy cookies at a store using food stamps because it is not allowed, nothing can be done to stop them from buying sugar and other ingredients to make their own cookies, cakes, ice cream, drinks, and so on. Not about cooking their own meals. Which led to me to wonder if such items cannot be bought using food stamps because of the sugar content (including fructose) then how long would it be until sugar would be regulated and controlled as the ultimate nannyism.

**Foxrac** · 02-02-2012, 05:23 PM

I doubt that will pass because GOP lets you to eat everything what you want.

Ice cream for dinner? sure, no problem.

People are free to eat whatever they like and no need for government to invade us about what we can eat or cannot eat.

DeafCaroline · 02-02-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokonut

My point was about using sugar at home to make what you want using food stamps. If one cannot buy cookies at a store using food stamps because it is not allowed, nothing can be done to stop them from buying sugar and other ingredients to make their own cookies, cakes, ice cream, drinks, and so on. Not about cooking their own meals. Which led to me to wonder if such items cannot be bought using food stamps because of the sugar content (including fructose) then how long would it be until sugar would be regulated and controlled as the ultimate nannyism.

contradiction in terms. p.s. food stamps is a form of nannyism anyway.

**shel90** · 02-02-2012, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerON

Maybe it's other countries look at us as greasy and fat people.

Lol!

**shel90** · 02-02-2012, 05:30 PM

This country needs to make it illegal to purchase junk food. Maybe America`s obesity problem will end, heh?

**KristinaB** · 02-02-2012, 05:42 PM

I know Florida is trying to crack down on a lot of these loopholes or issues. I applaud them for that. Too many people are abusing the Food Stamp system to begin with. IT amazes me to see how many sodas, chips, cookies and stuff like that goes by on the belt at WalMart. Just the other day, I was behind 2 families. The first family did real well, they had lean meats, fresh produce, fresh fruits and some canned and frozen stuff as well. They got skim milk, and whole grain bread, Got a full cart load for around $150 all in food stamps and it will feed their family of 4 for 2 weeks the mother said. The next family, had a car load of jugs of koolaid, chips, cookies, ice cream, gum, soda, and a few cans of vegetables and 10 pounds of ground beef and some rice. They spent $140 and claim that what they got will feed their family of 4 for 2 weeks as well. Both these families had mother, father, son and daughter. The kids were each under 10 in both families. Looks kind of sad to me to see what some parents feed their children with funds from the government.

DeafCaroline · 02-02-2012, 05:55 PM

It's tricky. Government should not dictate what you can and cannot eat. On the other hand, if the children's health is being compromised by their parents not buying food with actual nutrition, should no one intervene? It's quite a dilemma.

**Banjo** · 02-02-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeafCaroline

It's tricky. Government should not dictate what you can and cannot eat. On the other hand, if the children's health is being compromised by their parents not buying food with actual nutrition, should no one intervene? It's quite a dilemma.

Yeah, I have seen children who are 4 or 5 and they look like the Michigan Man. It's sad.

DeafCaroline · 02-02-2012, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banjo

Yeah, I have seen children who are 4 or 5 and they look like the Michigan Man. It's sad.

Yeah. Or their growth is stunted. I've seen that as well. I remember once on a bus, being absolutely shocked by a young mother giving her three month old baby a bottle of coke. her baby's skin was actually greyish in tone. I had my baby with me as well and I couldn't help noticing how pink my baby looked and how grey hers looked. It was really heartbreaking. In such cases, one can't but want to step in and say "hell no, you're not feeding that to your child."

**Banjo** · 02-02-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeafCaroline

Yeah. Or their growth is stunted. I've seen that as well. I remember once on a bus, being absolutely shocked by a young mother giving her three month old baby a bottle of coke. her baby's skin was actually greyish in tone. I had my baby with me as well and I couldn't help noticing how pink my baby looked and how grey hers looked. It was really heartbreaking. In such cases, one can't but want to step in and say "hell no, you're not feeding that to your child."

That's a sign of poor circulation and low oxygenation.

deafdyke · 02-02-2012, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeafCaroline

Yeah. Or their growth is stunted. I've seen that as well. I remember once on a bus, being absolutely shocked by a young mother giving her three month old baby a bottle of coke. her baby's skin was actually greyish in tone. I had my baby with me as well and I couldn't help noticing how pink my baby looked and how grey hers looked. It was really heartbreaking. In such cases, one can't but want to step in and say "hell no, you're not feeding that to your child."

My mom sees parents of little kids in the inner city giving them Fritos or Doritos for breakfast?!?!?

**Banjo** · 02-02-2012, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deafdyke

My mom sees parents of little kids in the inner city giving them Fritos or Doritos for breakfast?!?!?

Disgusting. My mother would have never, never let me eat anything like that for breakfast.

**TWA** · 02-02-2012, 06:21 PM

Support this 100%

You're free to buy all the junk food you want with your own money, but my tax dollars will not contribute to your obesity and poor health, which puts strains on healthcare, which in turn takes more of my tax dollars.

kokonut · 02-02-2012, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeafCaroline

contradiction in terms. p.s. food stamps is a form of nannyism anyway.

Which is why I said, "ultimate nannyism." How far is too far?

DeafCaroline · 02-02-2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokonut

Which is why I said, "ultimate nannyism." How far is too far?

good question.

**Banjo** · 02-02-2012, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWriteAlex

Support this 100%

You're free to buy all the junk food you want with your own money, but my tax dollars will not contribute to your obesity and poor health, which puts strains on healthcare, which in turn takes more of my tax dollars.

True, true.

rockin'robin · 02-02-2012, 06:43 PM

And note junk foods, candy, sodas, etc., kids get bad teeth. And of course, if ur on food stamps, you have Medicaid, so more and more kids are in for free dental procedures. Adults also...it all adds up!

**saywhatkid** · 02-02-2012, 07:57 PM

We need more regulation. Why should we pay for bottled water, when you can get it from a tap for almost no cost? We need to take a serious look at breakfast cereals also. No sweetened cereals of any kind. No meat. Only allow purchases of flour, oats, organic eggs.

Just kidding.

**KristinaB** · 02-02-2012, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saywhatkid

We need more regulation. Why should we pay for bottled water, when you can get it from a tap for almost no cost? We need to take a serious look at breakfast cereals also. No sweetened cereals of any kind. No meat. Only allow purchases of flour, oats, organic eggs.

Just kidding.

I know you're kidding, but I will respond to this.

Yes, we do need a little more regulation when it's money from the government. Some areas do not have good water, so I can't complain about that. Breakfast cereals? Well, they are beginning to get some that are healthier, but ya can't go wrong with oatmeal. As for the meat, while it would be good to get more and more families on plant based meals, I don't see it happening all over. Not enough people know about it and when you are on welfare, they are only too concerned with filling the bellies, never mind what it's filled with. It would be good if more Farmer's Markets would accept Food Stamp cards. I know most of ours do and 2 of them also offer special discount prices for those with the Food Stamp EBT card as a way to get them in and eating healthier.

whatdidyousay! · 02-02-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokonut

I doon't know about that one. Sounds like a step in the direction to control and regulate sugar. What's the difference in making your own candies, cakes, kool aid drinks, and cookies at home with all the ingredients you can buy at a store?

Here's something I heard over the radio today on a similar subject about a bill in the House to halt welfare payments at strip clubs, casinos, liquor stores and such.

House Set to Ban Welfare Payments at Strip Clubs - US News and World Report

In getting free money (at tax payers' expense) to get the necessary subsistence (i.e. food) for their family I'm sure they'd be willing to abide by the rules in order to continue receiving welfare support. If they don't like it then I suppose that'd be an incentive to go out and work instead (for those who are completely able to do so).

I just saw on' Nightly News' that the government want to to put a regulation on sugar as they say it a toxic substance. The government is slowly trying to take control of everything we do!

**TXgolfer** · 02-02-2012, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatdidyousay!

I just saw on' Nightly News' that the government want to to put a regulation on sugar as they say it a toxic substance. The government is slowly trying to take control of everything we do!

Surprising no one predicted this......

kokonut · 02-02-2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatdidyousay!

I just saw on' Nightly News' that the government want to to put a regulation on sugar as they say it a toxic substance. The government is slowly trying to take control of everything we do!

Exactly. It's the same thing when the govt is trying to claim that CO2 is a pollutant.

whatdidyousay! · 02-02-2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokonut

My point was about using sugar at home to make what you want using food stamps. If one cannot buy cookies at a store using food stamps because it is not allowed, nothing can be done to stop them from buying sugar and other ingredients to make their own cookies, cakes, ice cream, drinks, and so on. Not about cooking their own meals. Which led to me to wonder if such items cannot be bought using food stamps because of the sugar content (including fructose) then how long would it be until sugar would be regulated and controlled as the ultimate nannyism.

My state , Massachusetts want to put on tax candy and junk food and bottled water! My governor said a tax on candy will keep people from buying a lot of candy! What a load of crap! It all about the state trying to made more money. People will drive to tax free New Hampshire and stock up on junk food and bottled water .

whatdidyousay! · 02-02-2012, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokonut

Exactly. It's the same thing when the govt is trying to claim that CO2 is a pollutant.

There was talk of having a cow tax in my state as the state said when cows fart they pollute the air. The farmers protested the tax and said said it would put they out of business .

kokonut · 02-02-2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatdidyousay!

My state , Massachusetts want to put on tax candy and junk food and bottled water! My governor said a tax on candy will keep people from buying a lot of candy! What a load of crap! It all about the state trying to made more money. People will drive to tax free New Hampshire and stock up on junk food and bottled water .

It is a load of crap. It's the same argument for tobacco products. Tax it more they say as a disincentive for consumers not to buy any because of the additional expense and help reduce tobacco related deaths and hospitalizations. If the concern is health related, then ban it! But if they did that then they have no other excuses or way to get more money from taxation. Just looney they are.

**KarissaMann05** · 02-02-2012, 08:44 PM

Wirelessly posted

Food stamps need some health food, IMO. Junk food should be expensive than healthy food. I kinda of wish people have some common sense... It is true about feeding little kids some junky food. Even I saw one mother fed her 1 year old kid some McD food. sighs...

02-02-2012, 01:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 15,302	Bill: No snacks for food stamp users JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Mae Walker uses food stamps to buy what she needs at her neighborhood market. She likes the freedom of choosing her favorite snacks and is frustrated lawmakers might limit her options. "Cupcakes, soda, candy -- that's food, so why should they do something like that?" Walker said. Lawmakers are considering a bill to prevent poorer people from purchasing unhealthy foods with government assistance. As a result, snack foods may be stripped from the list of groceries people on food stamps can buy at the store. The bill has already passed through a House subcommittee. Its goal is to promote health and well-being. But store owners who sell the items say it's unfair to control what shoppers can buy. "By it being unhealthy or healthy, that's up to the people to decide," store manager Tony Khazal said. "I don't think it's up to the government." In Florida, food stamps are distributed by the Department of Children and Families, which said the program is already designed strictly to help needy families. "Right now in Duval County, one out of every three children are being helped by food stamps," DCF spokesman John Harrell said. "We're talking about the necessities of life here. If not for this program, then children and families might go hungry." According to DCF, the number of food stamp recipients has dramatically increased in Duval County over the last five years. In 2006, just more than 100,000 people were receiving benefits. Now, that number has more than doubled to about 230,000 people. Proposal aims to ban food stamp users from buying unhealthy food There have always been restrictions on certain items that are not considered food, such as tobacco, alcohol or vitamins. Those like Walker say it's unfair to take junk foods off the table, too. If the bill passes, it's up to the federal government to decide whether or not to allow the state to put the restrictions in place. Among the items some lawmakers would like to ban are soda, chips and sweets. For example, a cupcake is 180 calories, contains 7 grams of fat, 29 grams of carbohydrates and 240 milligrams of sodium. Its main ingredients are sugar, high fructose corn syrup and chocolate. Bill: No snacks for food stamp users \| News - Home

02-02-2012, 04:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
PowerON Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: 37.5, 126.9 Posts: 10,333 Blog Entries: 5	Maybe it's other countries look at us as greasy and fat people. shel90, rockin'robin and DeafCaroline like this. __________________ • [Illustrator.Blog-alloon.com] • Don't shoot me! I'm only blogger!

02-02-2012, 05:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Foxrac Need Stormtroopers? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Zaphias Posts: 32,585	I doubt that will pass because GOP lets you to eat everything what you want. Ice cream for dinner? sure, no problem. People are free to eat whatever they like and no need for government to invade us about what we can eat or cannot eat. __________________ In Moto We Trust

02-02-2012, 05:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
shel90 Let It Snow!!!! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: A place where crabs are popular Posts: 40,303 Blog Entries: 3	This country needs to make it illegal to purchase junk food. Maybe America`s obesity problem will end, heh? rockin'robin and TWA like this. __________________ "Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it." --- Anonymous

02-02-2012, 05:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
KristinaB New SDIT Deacon Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Land of the backstroke Posts: 13,775	I know Florida is trying to crack down on a lot of these loopholes or issues. I applaud them for that. Too many people are abusing the Food Stamp system to begin with. IT amazes me to see how many sodas, chips, cookies and stuff like that goes by on the belt at WalMart. Just the other day, I was behind 2 families. The first family did real well, they had lean meats, fresh produce, fresh fruits and some canned and frozen stuff as well. They got skim milk, and whole grain bread, Got a full cart load for around $150 all in food stamps and it will feed their family of 4 for 2 weeks the mother said. The next family, had a car load of jugs of koolaid, chips, cookies, ice cream, gum, soda, and a few cans of vegetables and 10 pounds of ground beef and some rice. They spent $140 and claim that what they got will feed their family of 4 for 2 weeks as well. Both these families had mother, father, son and daughter. The kids were each under 10 in both families. Looks kind of sad to me to see what some parents feed their children with funds from the government. __________________ Taking life one day at a time.

Today
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02-02-2012, 05:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
DeafCaroline Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,889	It's tricky. Government should not dictate what you can and cannot eat. On the other hand, if the children's health is being compromised by their parents not buying food with actual nutrition, should no one intervene? It's quite a dilemma.

02-02-2012, 06:21 PM	#17 (permalink)
TWA Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,374	Support this 100% You're free to buy all the junk food you want with your own money, but my tax dollars will not contribute to your obesity and poor health, which puts strains on healthcare, which in turn takes more of my tax dollars. rockin'robin, KristinaB, Daredevel7 and 1 others like this.

02-02-2012, 06:43 PM	#21 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 15,302	And note junk foods, candy, sodas, etc., kids get bad teeth. And of course, if ur on food stamps, you have Medicaid, so more and more kids are in for free dental procedures. Adults also...it all adds up! DeafCaroline likes this.

02-02-2012, 07:57 PM	#22 (permalink)
saywhatkid Emerging from the sun Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: In space Posts: 7,242 Blog Entries: 2	We need more regulation. Why should we pay for bottled water, when you can get it from a tap for almost no cost? We need to take a serious look at breakfast cereals also. No sweetened cereals of any kind. No meat. Only allow purchases of flour, oats, organic eggs. Just kidding. TXgolfer likes this. __________________ "Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." ~ Mother Teresa

02-02-2012, 08:44 PM	#30 (permalink)
KarissaMann05 Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 6,381	Wirelessly posted Food stamps need some health food, IMO. Junk food should be expensive than healthy food. I kinda of wish people have some common sense... It is true about feeding little kids some junky food. Even I saw one mother fed her 1 year old kid some McD food. sighs... __________________ "Pragmatic language is a vital social skill that enables the school-aged child to navigate their way through demanding social situations." -- R. Owens

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