Should Resteraunts be Allowed to Take Food Stamps?

At first I thought this was a hard choice, but after reading another's reply, I have to say no, they should not..Like you said, you barely eat out because you work hard for your money and like me, you probably rarely have extra to spend on fast food.. We do occasionally eat out, but mostly I try to make things like pizza, right here at home. It is cheaper and I know what the ingredients are because I also make my own crust..

so no, i dont think food stamps should be used at a restaurant because exactly like you said, they could use it all up in one or two evenings and then what?

Heck NO! they are to be used on food ina grocery store things that need to be cooked! you cant spend on already cooked food in grocery stores or on non food products. and yes they would spend way more thre than in grocery store and they would haveto pay taxes on the food for cooked food is taxable

Good Morning, TheCatLady! I heartily disagree that these Fast Food places be allowed to supply meals for Food Stamps! Please know that this is a personal opinion...as I truly feel, the food that these places serve are JUST EMPTY CALORIES, with little or NO nutritional value! I read this article in Care2. Why not, allow places like the Salvation Army, whom provide full-course value packed foods, accept Food Stamps, and pay for their product at a reduced cost, with these stamps? There are many, many "missions" that offer quality meals, struggling to aid and assist...why give this money to Fast Food outlets who'se profits are in the billions and contributing to today's obesity? This is a good discussion, hope you get thousands of responses! Cheers!

hi thecatlady it would help people who are the working poor have a change occasionally from their ordinary cheap food and I am not one to go on and on about food stamps. our economy is making working people poor and food stams help thats great. why do those who have great jobs and no worries mind their own damned business and leave people who do have to have food stamps alone. I see nothing wrong with this.those who are not needy thank your living God and do not' pick on those who are needy.

One restaurant already does, I don't know where it is, but it's somewhere in this town. I've heard that it does, but I don't think that she knew WHERE it was. In any case, I think that those who are on food stamps wouldn't abuse it, but that maybe it should be something like an extra $30.00 that one could use for the restaurant, but say if one doesn't, then it gets rolled over to the next month and added as the food allocated that they can buy at the grocers.

I don't know about food stamps, we don't have them here but I imagine it runs contrary to the spirit if not the letter of the scheme to allow resteraunts to accept them all the best urban

I think that would be nice if they would accept food stamps. Alot of people do not have the money to eat at these places every now and then. I think some people will really abuse it though.

I really don't think its a good idea, since they can get so much more food at the grocery store (think 20 meals instead of 8)

As long as people don't wind up spending a whole month's food stamp benefits at restaurants and maybe just go occasionally, think this would be a great idea. I'm not really into fast food restaurant places, but there are a few "mom & pop" type restaurants around here...like the pizza store I pass by when doing other shopping errands. ah, the smell coming out from there makes my mouth drool, and just ONCE would love to get a slice of pizza, but then think, well, since they don't take food stamps, I would have to use my cash benefits, so I have to ask myself, do I indulge and get a slice of pizza or get more cat food? Guess what wins?

You know I don't agree with this. As I can't afford to take my family out very often why should someone who is on assistance have that luxury? Now I know Papa Murphy's takes food stamps and I'm mixed on that as well. But really if they can buy anything junk food they want at the regular grocery store what's the difference?

Hi, TheCatLady. I have always wondered about them coming up with something like this. It would be a great idea for many low income citizens that are having a very hard time buying food from the restaurant every now and then. I just feel that, the foods that they purchase should be very healthy. I think that certain restaurants should only accept the SNAP Benefits. This will allow citizens to still enjoy fast foods, but only when it is more healthier. I also believe that they should allow citizens to purchase one bottle of vitamins for each adult that is in the household every month. And one bottle of vitamins for each child that is in the household too. This would be a great idea for many low income citizens that can't afford to buy healthy foods and vitamins when they are able to.

The problem here is that food stamps comes out of tax payer money, and I can completely understand why tax payers would not like to pay for people to eat Taco Bell, you know. I don't get to eat Taco Bell very often, and I don't get food stamps.. so why should someone that I'm helping to support through my taxes eat better than I do? Also, restaurant food is more expensive and doesn't stretch as far as buying bread and meat from the grocery store. People who receive food stamps will find them running out faster if they go to restaurants instead of buying groceries, and they won't have enough food at the end of the month. I guess you could say that that's their problem and they'd better learn how to budget their money.. but I can't help but to think of the little kids that would suffer. My mother lived on disability once I turned 17.. and she was the type that as soon as her money came in she'd buy fast food for a few days until she got to the grocery store. Then she wouldn't have much money to spend on groceries.. so we'd end up running out before the end of the month, and we'd go hungry.

I would welcome the idea of some restaurants accepting food stamps so that low income folks could occasionally enjoy a meal out. I am aware that some say that people who use food stamps should be encouraged to eat healthy food instead of some restaurant take away stuff but we are dealing with adults and surely a grown up can balance healthy and junk food regardless of their income!

Well...it is food. I think that most everything can be acceptable as long as it is in moderation. I suppose there is not much of a difference in spending them at McDonald's and spending them on things in a store really. People are allowed to buy non essential food items there too. I think that foodstamps is help not a punishment so I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed to buy a meal for the members of the family in a restaurant. It will cause a ruckus I am sure though. Most people think of eating out as an indulgence. They already get mad when they see people buying things in stores that they can't afford themselves. I also think that everything has the potential for abuse.

This may be abused, but that is the risk taken to not look like the bad guy who turns away the hungry and needy I suppose.