Current Events > Trump administration wants to dictate what kind of food poor people eat

(+) Yeah! (+)

Yikes, I don't see this going well for people with specific diet needs or allergies...It's not a complete conversion of benefit funds to food, but still, it seems limiting.

The Trump administration is proposing a major shake-up in one of the country's most important "safety net" programs, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. Under the proposal, most SNAP recipients would lose much of their ability to choose the food they buy with their SNAP benefits.

The proposal is included in the Trump administration budget request for fiscal year 2019. It would require approval from Congress.

Under the proposal, which was announced Monday, low-income Americans who receive at least $90 a month just over 80 percent of all SNAP recipients would get about half of their benefits in the form of a "USDA Foods package." The package was described in the budget as consisting of "shelf-stable milk, ready to eat cereals, pasta, peanut butter, beans and canned fruit and vegetables." The boxes would not include fresh fruits or vegetables.

Currently, SNAP beneficiaries get money loaded onto an EBT card they can use to buy what they want as long as it falls under the guidelines. The administration says the move is a "cost-effective approach" with "no loss in food benefits to participants."

The USDA believes that state governments will be able to deliver this food at much less cost than SNAP recipients currently pay for food at retail stores thus reducing the overall cost of the SNAP program by $129 billion over the next 10 years.

This and other changes in the SNAP program, according to the Trump administration, will reduce the SNAP budget by $213 billion over those years cutting the program by almost 30 percent.

Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, a hunger advocacy group that also helps clients access food-assistance services, said the administration's plan left him baffled. "They have managed to propose nearly the impossible, taking over $200 billion worth of food from low-income Americans while increasing bureaucracy and reducing choices," Berg says.

He says SNAP is efficient because it is a "free market model" that lets recipients shop at stores for their benefits. The Trump administration's proposal, he said, "is a far more intrusive, Big Government answer. They think a bureaucrat in D.C. is better at picking out what your family needs than you are?"

Douglas Greenaway, president of the National WIC Association, echoed that sentiment. "Removing choice from SNAP flies in the face of encouraging personal responsibility," he said. He says "the budget seems to assume that participating in SNAP is a character flaw."

It isn't clear how billions of dollars' worth of food each year would be distributed to millions of SNAP recipients who live all over the country, including dense urban areas and sparsely populated rural regions. The budget says states will have "substantial flexibility in designing the food box delivery system through existing infrastructure, partnerships or commercial/retail delivery services."

Critics of the proposal said distributing that much food presents a logistical nightmare. "Among the problems, it's going to be costly and take money out of the [SNAP] program from the administrative side. It's going to stigmatize people when they have to go to certain places to pick up benefits," says Jim Weill, president of the nonprofit Food Research and Action Center.

Stacy Dean, vice president for food assistance policy at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, called the proposal "radical and risky." The idea that the government could save money by distributing food itself, she said, is "ill-informed at best."

It isn't clear whether the boxes will come with directions on how to cook the foods inside. "It could be something that [SNAP recipients] don't even know how to make," notes Miguelina Diaz, whose team at Hunger Free America works directly with families to help them access food aid. "We deal with different people of different backgrounds. Limiting them by providing them a staple box would limit the choices of food they can prepare for their families."

According to Dean, from CBPP, the Trump administration wants to trim an additional $80 billion from the SNAP program by cutting off about 4 million people who currently receive food assistance. Most of them live in states that have decided to loosen the program's eligibility requirements slightly. Under the administration's proposal, states would no longer be able to do so.

what the fuck this is bullshit
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I remember when red hats got pissed at an Obama for dictating what their kids can eat at school. Now they'll cheer when Trump dictates what that kid's family can eat at home.
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this is like... 1950s era policies...
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Small government
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small government

donald trump lol
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The package was described in the budget as consisting of "shelf-stable milk, ready to eat cereals, pasta, peanut butter, beans and canned fruit and vegetables." The boxes would not include fresh fruits or vegetables.




Great. None of that is healthy besides the veggies. You might aswell let people buy mcdonalds.
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As things are, the government is paying for people to eat name brand snacks. There is often no limit on what you can buy with the snap card, so long as its from a legit store. Youve got taxpayers buying store brand while welfare recipients are buying namebrand. That doesnt add up, so we need change.
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Sounds fair. If you budget correctly you should have plenty of money to spend each month on food, assuming you're working.
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This sounds great to me. From your own un-sourced article, it's only half of their benefits. " would get about half of their benefits in the form of a "USDA Foods package."

This will help prevent abuse. I've seen it many times where people use foodstamps to buy $30 prime steak packages and other delicacies that are unnecessary for survival.
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A_Good_Boy posted...

I remember when red hats got pissed at an Obama for dictating what their kids can eat at school. Now they'll cheer when Trump dictates what that kid's family can eat at home.

How long until we can stop using articles like this to attack one side or the other, and band together to be equally horrified like real people should be?

cerealbox760 posted...

The package was described in the budget as consisting of "shelf-stable milk, ready to eat cereals, pasta, peanut butter, beans and canned fruit and vegetables." The boxes would not include fresh fruits or vegetables.




Great. None of that is healthy besides the veggies. You might aswell let people buy mcdonalds.

You guys praised this box when Michelle Obama presente forced it as the public school lunch menu.
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A_Good_Boy posted...

I remember when red hats got pissed at an Obama for dictating what their kids can eat at school. Now they'll cheer when Trump dictates what that kid's family can eat at home.

Obama wasn't white or republican, so that's to be expected.
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southcoast09 posted...

As things are, the government is paying for people to eat name brand snacks. There is often no limit on what you can buy with the snap card, so long as its from a legit store. Youve got taxpayers buying store brand while welfare recipients are buying namebrand. That doesnt add up, so we need change.

It's suchy a tiny percentage of your yearly pay. It's a government program that we need to do more of, not bastardize.
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southcoast09 posted...

cerealbox760 posted...

The package was described in the budget as consisting of "shelf-stable milk, ready to eat cereals, pasta, peanut butter, beans and canned fruit and vegetables." The boxes would not include fresh fruits or vegetables.




Great. None of that is healthy besides the veggies. You might aswell let people buy mcdonalds.

You guys praised this box when Michelle Obama presente forced it as the public school lunch menu.

Not me. I hated when Michelle did that.
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Why're you responding to southcoast?
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well the part about saving money is true, and people will still be getting half of whatever they used to get to buy other stuff. Grocery stores mark shit up by like 200-300%, the government will be able to wholesale it for much less.

they should at least do frozen veggies instead of canned ones though
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southcoast09 posted...

As things are, the government is paying for people to eat name brand snacks. There is often no limit on what you can buy with the snap card, so long as its from a legit store. Youve got taxpayers buying store brand while welfare recipients are buying namebrand. That doesnt add up, so we need change.

I've seen it in action. THIS.
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thronedfire2 posted...

well the part about saving money is true, and people will still be getting half of whatever they used to get to buy other stuff. Grocery stores mark shit up by like 200-300%, the government will be able to wholesale it for much less.

nah fuck that im fine with the government supplying the cash and people making choices on their own
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A_Good_Boy posted...

I remember when red hats got pissed at an Obama for dictating what their kids can eat at school. Now they'll cheer when Trump dictates what that kid's family can eat at home.

This is different. Children, under their parents discretion, should have a right to eat what they want in school, providing they're able to pay for it.

It irks me that there are people receiving part of my tax dollars that buy non-essential foods and delicacies.
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Johnny_Nutcase posted...

southcoast09 posted...

As things are, the government is paying for people to eat name brand snacks. There is often no limit on what you can buy with the snap card, so long as its from a legit store. Youve got taxpayers buying store brand while welfare recipients are buying namebrand. That doesnt add up, so we need change.

I've seen it in action. THIS.

How about, I dunno, educating the public on making healthy food choices?

FLUFFYGERM posted...

thronedfire2 posted...

well the part about saving money is true, and people will still be getting half of whatever they used to get to buy other stuff. Grocery stores mark shit up by like 200-300%, the government will be able to wholesale it for much less.

nah fuck that im fine with the government supplying the cash and people making choices on their own

Most Americans choose to be obese. That's a winning attitude you have there guy.
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Metro2 posted...

Johnny_Nutcase posted...

southcoast09 posted...

As things are, the government is paying for people to eat name brand snacks. There is often no limit on what you can buy with the snap card, so long as its from a legit store. Youve got taxpayers buying store brand while welfare recipients are buying namebrand. That doesnt add up, so we need change.

I've seen it in action. THIS.

How about, I dunno, educating the public on making healthy food choices?

THEY ARE. They don't care!
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Johnny_Nutcase posted...

FLUFFYGERM posted...

thronedfire2 posted...

well the part about saving money is true, and people will still be getting half of whatever they used to get to buy other stuff. Grocery stores mark shit up by like 200-300%, the government will be able to wholesale it for much less.

nah fuck that im fine with the government supplying the cash and people making choices on their own

Most Americans choose to be obese. That's a winning attitude you have there guy.

And yet other countries have healthier, fitter people while still having good benefits.

Capn Circus posted...

A_Good_Boy posted...

I remember when red hats got pissed at an Obama for dictating what their kids can eat at school. Now they'll cheer when Trump dictates what that kid's family can eat at home.

This is different. Children, under their parents discretion, should have a right to eat what they want in school, providing they're able to pay for it.

It irks me that there are people receiving part of my tax dollars that buy non-essential foods and delicacies.

oh boo hoo some poor kid gets to eat a candy bar

this is literally not an issue. your total contribution is what, a few cents per year? it's around 2% of our yearly spending as a nation.
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Metro2 posted...

Johnny_Nutcase posted...

FLUFFYGERM posted...

thronedfire2 posted...

well the part about saving money is true, and people will still be getting half of whatever they used to get to buy other stuff. Grocery stores mark shit up by like 200-300%, the government will be able to wholesale it for much less.

nah fuck that im fine with the government supplying the cash and people making choices on their own

Most Americans choose to be obese. That's a winning attitude you have there guy.

And yet other countries have healthier, fitter people while still having good benefits.

Yeah it's called socialism. Start pushing for that.
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southcoast09 posted...

As things are, the government is paying for people to eat name brand snacks. There is often no limit on what you can buy with the snap card, so long as its from a legit store. Youve got taxpayers buying store brand while welfare recipients are buying namebrand. That doesnt add up, so we need change.

Amazing everything you just said was wrong
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This is great. Vegetables and canned chicken only. They have faucets to drink out of, so no need for bottled water.
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Johnny_Nutcase posted...

FLUFFYGERM posted...

thronedfire2 posted...

well the part about saving money is true, and people will still be getting half of whatever they used to get to buy other stuff. Grocery stores mark shit up by like 200-300%, the government will be able to wholesale it for much less.

nah fuck that im fine with the government supplying the cash and people making choices on their own

Most Americans choose to be obese. That's a winning attitude you have there guy.

obesity has nothing to do with whether or not you can pick what food your benefits get you

people not on SNAP are still obese

i dont want the government telling people what they can/can't eat just cuz it tickles you that you spend a few cents per year so another kid can eat a chocolate bar
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Johnny_Nutcase posted...

Metro2 posted...

Johnny_Nutcase posted...

FLUFFYGERM posted...

thronedfire2 posted...

well the part about saving money is true, and people will still be getting half of whatever they used to get to buy other stuff. Grocery stores mark shit up by like 200-300%, the government will be able to wholesale it for much less.

nah fuck that im fine with the government supplying the cash and people making choices on their own

Most Americans choose to be obese. That's a winning attitude you have there guy.

And yet other countries have healthier, fitter people while still having good benefits.

Yeah it's called socialism. Start pushing for that.

having some baseline of nutrition / food availability for poor people has nothing to do with socialism

in fact socialist countries collapse into starvation because they can't even hope to sustain programs like SNAP
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small government

this is bullshit
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Johnny_Nutcase posted...

southcoast09 posted...

As things are, the government is paying for people to eat name brand snacks. There is often no limit on what you can buy with the snap card, so long as its from a legit store. Youve got taxpayers buying store brand while welfare recipients are buying namebrand. That doesnt add up, so we need change.

I've seen it in action. THIS.

Yknow, if the card had just limited people to name brand products, that would have been less offensive . I live in a town where welfare recipients are quiet and respectful. I grew up in a place where they would pile the carts high with $300 of name brand snacks. No sustenance, just junk products. I remember seeing that when my family couldnt afford name brand products. If my parents worked and those people didnt work, why do they get the nicer products?? They shouldnt.
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FLUFFYGERM posted...

Johnny_Nutcase posted...

FLUFFYGERM posted...

thronedfire2 posted...

well the part about saving money is true, and people will still be getting half of whatever they used to get to buy other stuff. Grocery stores mark shit up by like 200-300%, the government will be able to wholesale it for much less.

nah fuck that im fine with the government supplying the cash and people making choices on their own

Most Americans choose to be obese. That's a winning attitude you have there guy.

obesity has nothing to do with whether or not you can pick what food your benefits get you

people not on SNAP are still obese

i dont want the government telling people what they can/can't eat just cuz it tickles you that you spend a few cents per year so another kid can eat a chocolate bar

people are still gonna have half the money to buy all the candy bars they want
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cjsdowg posted...

southcoast09 posted...

As things are, the government is paying for people to eat name brand snacks. There is often no limit on what you can buy with the snap card, so long as its from a legit store. Youve got taxpayers buying store brand while welfare recipients are buying namebrand. That doesnt add up, so we need change.

Amazing everything you just said was wrong

Nice proof. Just an emotional response.
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I wonder who the govt would be buying these meal packages from
Anyway, leave the choice on what people spend their snap funds on. This is just unnecessary involvement
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southcoast09 posted...

Johnny_Nutcase posted...

southcoast09 posted...

As things are, the government is paying for people to eat name brand snacks. There is often no limit on what you can buy with the snap card, so long as its from a legit store. Youve got taxpayers buying store brand while welfare recipients are buying namebrand. That doesnt add up, so we need change.

I've seen it in action. THIS.

Yknow, if the card had just limited people to name brand products, that would have been less offensive . I live in a town where welfare recipients are quiet and respectful. I grew up in a place where they would pile the carts high with $300 of name brand snacks. No sustenance, just junk products. I remember seeing that when my family couldnt afford name brand products. If my parents worked and those people didnt work, why do they get the nicer products?? They shouldnt.

http://www.cbpp.org/research/policy-basics-introduction-to-the-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap
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thronedfire2 posted...

FLUFFYGERM posted...

Johnny_Nutcase posted...

FLUFFYGERM posted...

thronedfire2 posted...

well the part about saving money is true, and people will still be getting half of whatever they used to get to buy other stuff. Grocery stores mark shit up by like 200-300%, the government will be able to wholesale it for much less.

nah fuck that im fine with the government supplying the cash and people making choices on their own

Most Americans choose to be obese. That's a winning attitude you have there guy.

obesity has nothing to do with whether or not you can pick what food your benefits get you

people not on SNAP are still obese

i dont want the government telling people what they can/can't eat just cuz it tickles you that you spend a few cents per year so another kid can eat a chocolate bar

people are still gonna have half the money to buy all the candy bars they want

if anything, we should double the benefit and increase the income limit so more people can qualify.
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garbage proposal
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Trump administration wants to dictate

That's what I assume you meant to write.

FLUFFYGERM posted...

thronedfire2 posted...

FLUFFYGERM posted...

Johnny_Nutcase posted...

FLUFFYGERM posted...

thronedfire2 posted...

well the part about saving money is true, and people will still be getting half of whatever they used to get to buy other stuff. Grocery stores mark shit up by like 200-300%, the government will be able to wholesale it for much less.

nah fuck that im fine with the government supplying the cash and people making choices on their own

Most Americans choose to be obese. That's a winning attitude you have there guy.

obesity has nothing to do with whether or not you can pick what food your benefits get you

people not on SNAP are still obese

i dont want the government telling people what they can/can't eat just cuz it tickles you that you spend a few cents per year so another kid can eat a chocolate bar

people are still gonna have half the money to buy all the candy bars they want

if anything, we should double the benefit and increase the income limit so more people can qualify.

I bet youre mad that Bernie lost.
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FLUFFYGERM posted...

thronedfire2 posted...

FLUFFYGERM posted...

Johnny_Nutcase posted...

FLUFFYGERM posted...

thronedfire2 posted...

well the part about saving money is true, and people will still be getting half of whatever they used to get to buy other stuff. Grocery stores mark shit up by like 200-300%, the government will be able to wholesale it for much less.

nah fuck that im fine with the government supplying the cash and people making choices on their own

Most Americans choose to be obese. That's a winning attitude you have there guy.

obesity has nothing to do with whether or not you can pick what food your benefits get you

people not on SNAP are still obese

i dont want the government telling people what they can/can't eat just cuz it tickles you that you spend a few cents per year so another kid can eat a chocolate bar

people are still gonna have half the money to buy all the candy bars they want

if anything, we should double the benefit and increase the income limit so more people can qualify.

And pretty soon I quit my job among the millions of other reasonable people and the government pays us allllllll equally for abouuut 3 days. Then WHAM, nobody is working? WHAT????
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southcoast09 posted...

cjsdowg posted...

southcoast09 posted...

As things are, the government is paying for people to eat name brand snacks. There is often no limit on what you can buy with the snap card, so long as its from a legit store. Youve got taxpayers buying store brand while welfare recipients are buying namebrand. That doesnt add up, so we need change.

Amazing everything you just said was wrong

Nice proof. Just an emotional response.

Hot foods,food that will be eaten in store, some cakes, and boozes are all things you can not get with SNAP. BTW many people on SNAP have jobs.
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I was getting food stamps when my unemployment ran out.

It was pretty rad especially since I had like years of savings I could live off of so this was a nice subsidy to my lifestyle.
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You'd really hate me as President, because I'd do a whole lot more than that. No one receiving tax payer dollars to buy food should be allowed to buy $30-40 prime steaks or other unnecessary items---all while carrying around a new iPhone and Gucci bag.
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A_Good_Boy posted...

I remember when blud hats got cheered at an Obama for dictating what their kids can eat at school. Now they'll cry when Trump dictates what that kid's family can eat at home.

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Capn Circus posted...

You'd really hate me as President, because I'd do a whole lot more than that. No one receiving tax payer dollars to buy food should be allowed to buy $30-40 prime steaks or other unnecessary items---all while carrying around a new iPhone and Gucci bag.

I'd vote for this guy.
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