Restrictions on what to buy on food stamps (SNAP)
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
United States
March 5, 2017 9:50am CST
Ok, this is a touchy and a hot button issue for a lot of people, but it makes for a really good discussion, at least here in the USA. As the program is now, the only things that can't be bought on food stamps is alcohol, smokes, gambling, hot foods, and most energy drinks. However, some lawmakers in some states are trying to change that. They want to make purchases more restrictive, say no seafood, soda, bakery items, ice cream. Some want to go more than that, just keep the purchases basic, like for milk, bread, beans and rice. It's fascinating to read some of the comments for this issue, because you see both sides. You see in favor of the restrictions, like go get a job!, no one needs junk including kids, etc. Then you see the ones who don't want the restrictions, saying they really don't get a whole lot in food stamps (like myself, I only get $200 a month) so it's ok to have a treat once in awhile. My position is that as long as the kids are fed and healthy, its no one's business what people buy with their food stamp alottment. So what say you, where do you weigh in?
11 people like this
13 responses
@NJChicaa (120054)
• United States
5 Mar 17
@librarygeek1980 use your own money for the cake or soda then.
3 people like this
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
5 Mar 17
Interesting, so you would say to a kid on thier 5th birthday, sorry, no cake and ice cream for you, here's a batch of overpriced kale, or lettuce.... it's not the kids fault that fresh foods are more overpriced in some areas. Or the occasional picnic with generic soda? I get that it shouldn't be used for nothing but junk, but a moderate amount should be fine. Also, where would the money come from to regulate? Not everyone lives in a garden rich area. Take into consideration food allergies. Just some things to consider. Thanks for commenting 
3 people like this
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
5 Mar 17
@NJChicaa and again, what if food stamps is the only way the family can get food on the table? Kids should not be punished just for being born, should not be punished because of crappy economy in the area they live in and so forth. The majority of families that I know on food stamps are the working poor, after basic housing and utilities, there's nothing left for food. Nothing is as easy as it seems...
3 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37369)
• Toccoa, Georgia
5 Mar 17
I can see both sides of the issue.
3 people like this
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
5 Mar 17
I can see both sides too. This is one of those slightly complex issues with no easy answers and can't make everyone happy. Thanks for commenting!
2 people like this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
6 Mar 17
I think that there should be some limitations like the ones already in place. If I remember correctly, there are some restrictions on already made food, too, such as subs or hoagies or whatever you call them in your area. That being said, I do not think that there should be extreme restrictions on what can be bought. Of course, healthy choices are always best, but I don't think the government should determine what is healthy and acceptable for all. Besides, different families/people have different cultures, allergies, dietary restrictions, etc., so how can the government determine what would be the best for all?
2 people like this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
6 Mar 17
@librarygeek1980 They might have changed the restrictions (in fact, it makes sense that they would have), since I worked at the supermarket.
I actually know a fair deal about dietary needs due to different members of my family and also some friends. In addition, different religions and lifestyles require food to be prepared differently and have restrictions as well. It disturbs me how people want to tell everybody else what they should and should not do or buy or eat, etc., but when they feel that their own rights are being infringed upon, they are absolutely up in arms, because how DARE someone do that?!
I actually know a fair deal about dietary needs due to different members of my family and also some friends. In addition, different religions and lifestyles require food to be prepared differently and have restrictions as well. It disturbs me how people want to tell everybody else what they should and should not do or buy or eat, etc., but when they feel that their own rights are being infringed upon, they are absolutely up in arms, because how DARE someone do that?!1 person likes this
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
10 Mar 17
@TheHorse sometimes people are down on thier luck and needs to have that smoke and a pancake, lol
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
5 Mar 17
We have needed food stamps in the past. I don't like anyone saying what people can and cannot buy on them-except for the things that are already on there. Food items should be allowed-no matter what they are. As you mentioned that is some people's ONLY way of eating or being able to buy their child a cake for their birthday, etc... We have been there!
2 people like this
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
6 Mar 17
Agreed, food is food no matter what it is. I've been there for awhile now Thanks for commenting
2 people like this
@JudyEv (341693)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Mar 17
@TheHorse I am SO gullible. Until I saw @librarygeek's comment I was about to say 'surely you're joking!'
1 person likes this
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
6 Mar 17
From what I've observed, the majority of people on food stamps are pretty responsible, most don't get enough per month to cover anything too fancy that often
1 person likes this
@paigea (36316)
• Canada
5 Mar 17
I worked hard to never need any kind of assistance even as a single parent. I want help to be there for people who need it though. I think there might be better ways to ensure people have a healthy diet than imposing restrictions though.
Education? I read everything I could (from the library of course) to learn how to stretch my dollar a bit further and that is how I could afford a few extras when money was very tight. And I read everything I could to make sure I was buying healthy food for my kids.
2 people like this
@paigea (36316)
• Canada
5 Mar 17
@librarygeek1980 Just think, lobster started out as cheap food for people who lived in lobster fishing areas!
2 people like this
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
5 Mar 17
@paigea I know, right, especially when you could fish your own!
1 person likes this
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
5 Mar 17
Awesome, I like the education part, while I am on limited food stamps, I try to make that $200 I get last as best as possible, meaning, cheap pastas, crock pot when I can, bake with flour, shop at dollar tree, etc. But not everyone has the time, (or even a stove in some cases) to make that happen. I see nothing wrong with the occasional soda or a birthday cake and ice cream as the occasional treat. Just don't let it get out of hand. On a side note, to this day I have never even tasted lobster! Thanks for commenting
2 people like this
@jennifer611 (2514)
• United States
10 Mar 17
I can see both sides. But my opinion is that they should be able to purchase pop, ice cream or whatever they prefer.
Everyone who gets foodstamps isn't lazy.. Some of them work and just dont make enough so food stamps help.
If a person is on their way to work and decides to pick up a snack and a pop for break time on their job, they should be allowed to do that.
I get so irritated with how the government wants to put their hand in everything.
Yes some people are guilty of selling food stamps for cash but the majority truely need the help and shouldn't be punished for the low number of people getting over on the system.
If a working family can go to the store and buy ice cream and a pop for their kid, shouldn't the next person be allowed to do that to? I dont agree with looking down on people or discriminating agaist someone because they are less fortunate.
1 person likes this
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
10 Mar 17
Absolutely agree with all that you said, people tend to get butthurt over everything and anything.Thanks for commenting :)
@nonersays (3335)
• United States
6 Mar 17
Well, it depends on what they consider "junk". Like, one of my sons will hardly eat anthing but boxed mac n cheese which is basically junk food. If it was restricted my kid would be going hungry.
And yes, even people who are struggling need and deserve a treat sometimes. I mean, a bowl of ice-cream means more to an impoverished person and will be enjoyed more by that person than it will/does to the person who can afford the $20 steak every night.
As for the "get a job" argument, there was a time when both my husband and myself were working (i was demoted from full time to part time WITH a pay cut) and we needed assistance. We were able to get the food stamps and it helped until I was able to move back up to full time with more pay again.
Having an EBT card doesn't mean someone is being lazy and not working, and more people need to realize that.
1 person likes this
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
6 Mar 17
Love, this! You make some excellent points. One of my sons would live on nothing but Ramen and microwave burritos, which in a way to some people would consider junk. Struggling people do need that little simple pleasure once in awhile. Especially when all they are is just down in their luck. Like I said in a post below, most of whom is on food stamps is the working poor, after all the basic living expenses are covered (and I mean bare bones) There's barely 10.00 a month left for food for the month. Cost of living is just high, and wages do nothing to keep up. Thanks for you excellent comments
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
10 Mar 17
I am in favor of the basics, meat, fruit veggies etc. You certainly could make sweet treats with fruit etc. If people need cake mixes etc I am sure the local food pantry has them, I know that they do where I live.
@Hate2Iron (15727)
• Canada
5 Mar 17
Yes, I can see both sides of the issue... maybe try something like more nuts and seeds, which are a nice change from the ordinary.. We also eat a lot of popcorn... and sometimes I sprinkle sunflower seeds over buttered popcorn.
2 people like this
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
5 Mar 17
Nuts and seeds are good, but what about those with a nut allergy? They need some meat and eggs to get thier protein in too. Complex issue indeed. I love popcorn, especially fresh hot air popped , I can put all my fixings on top. Thanks for commenting!
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
10 Mar 17
It has always been odd to me that people can't buy soap, paper products, toothpaste.
Things do need to be changed, but it won't be done correctly. We view the carts in stores and know that many do buy what others don't consider food.
It will always be an issue when so much waste is seen. Records show how much is spent on chips, soda, cookies, sugary treats, quick snacks.
However, do we really want another agency telling adults what to do?
$200 is a lot of money to us. We could feed two adults easily with that amount.
1 person likes this
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
10 Mar 17
I have always found that a bit odd too that personal hygiene products can't be bought on these. But I can see outcry over abuse on these too, such as spending the money on a higher quality toothpaste, or salon shampoo, when the dollar store stuff is good enough. Can't please everyone. As for $200, depends on the area you live in. While $200 can go quite a way in say a rural area, but in a metro suburban area? Not quite so much. Also depends on the state you live in, too, some states have a higher cost of living than others. Thanks for commenting
@sallypup (61563)
• Centralia, Washington
10 Mar 17
I don't know. I do know that I am beyond sick of the 10 foot high walls of chips and other blanketys that I walk around when I go grocery shopping. Chips are not food. Chips are addiction machines: fat, sugar and salt combined to feed a person's inner addict.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (61563)
• Centralia, Washington
10 Mar 17
@librarygeek1980 I know and yet I must sacrifice my health so that others can be employed? That doesn't quite work for me.
@librarygeek1980 (3137)
• United States
10 Mar 17
Tell that to the employees of frito lay who depend on that job to live and survive.... gotta factor that in too. Thanks for commenting
1 person likes this
@Sunflower_Michele54 (58)
• United States
9 Mar 17
I don't think restrictions on food stamps is a good thing. Yes, people should buy healthy foods. However. that doesn't mean that food stamps shouldn't be used for junk food. Buying all types of food and all brands of foods should be allowed. What if kids and adults want to buy a few treats? If they can't get a job for some reason, food stamps should supplement them during that time of need.
1 person likes this
