Should You Be Allowed to Buy Junk Food With Food Stamps?

by SodaHead News Posted January 30, 2012 06:00:00

Related Topics: food stamps, Junk Food, Restrictions, Ronda Storms, Bill, Florida, Lifestyle, Chips, Family, Cutting, Potato, Cookie, Girl, Food, los angeles, soda, Cookies, Healthy

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	Yes	454 votes	38%
	No	748 votes	62%

The U.S. is simultaneously low on jobs and incomes, and consuming large amounts of unhealthy food. You might think the problems would be mutually exclusive, but according to Florida senator Ronda Storms, health is a problem even for those using food stamps to get by. She recently sponsored a bill that proposes to regulate what kinds of food items are allowed to be purchased with food stamps.

Storms said, "If we're going to be cutting services across the board, then people can live without potato chips, without store-bought cookies, without their sodas." According to the Los Angeles Times, she decided to sponsor the bill when she saw shoppers purchasing "fatty, highly-processed treats" being bought with taxpayer money. Similar bills have been rejected in the past, while some organizations are trying to encourage healthy buying with reimbursements.

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keymanjim January 30, 2012 16:24:00

No

+29
Only in American can you be poor and fat. And then DEMAND a nonexistent right to become fatter as someone else pays your bills.
>> See Replies

Angela Ellerbe May 16, 2012 16:43:43

Yes

Yes, because not all that recieved food stamps buy a bunch of junk food with it. The good shouldn't have to suffer with the bad.

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missoni May 14, 2012 12:59:52 (edited)

Yes

Anyone that says yes is hypocritical republican. Its the truth. The amount of crap every American eats is disgusting. S'mores, cheese in a can, turkey in a can, huge chocolate cookies, deep fried crap. You're all guilty of eating badly so why discrimnate against the poor? You all act as though being 'poor and fat' is the worst thing in the world. Yeah right! I mean you all argue about more important things being discussed during the elections and then whinge on about this crap. Honestly, you people really confuse me. I know not all Americans have such blinded views, but...Well, I'll just leave it at that.

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alysia April 14, 2012 01:55:13
tikiteek March 14, 2012 13:32:35

No

Those stamps are suppose to be for the children...PERIOD!

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thegaln... to tikiteek May 14, 2012 17:25:40

then why do needy adults also get food stamps? adults need to eat too.

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AM March 10, 2012 18:55:15

No

+2
There's far too much over regulation by government as it is.The money allocated to instating this bill would be far better served to teach the recipients how to shop,how to budget the food stamps recieved so their children have a constant supply of nutritionally valid food that lasts through the month.Private charities and food banks offer these services to anyone who is in need of help.Another service that is also promoted through some churches,senior centers and municipalities now that would be advantageous to every food stamp recipient is cooperative buying power.A portion of food stamp dollars are pooled allowing them to purchase in bulk at the reduced rate then the food is equally divided.

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Kimmy March 03, 2012 22:59:00

Yes

Yes.The other stuff costs more and you get less.

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Ann hall February 27, 2012 14:45:37

No

+1
The program is a >>>COMPLETE<<< Failure!!!!
I know someone that I use to be close too, this person lives in Kentucky for quite a while and receives MI and KY Food stamps and buys nothing but junk food, gotta love those Debit Cards. And yes, I reported it to no avail. Sickning!

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Ann hall to Ann hall February 27, 2012 14:49:08

Get My Point??????

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Debra to Ann hall March 25, 2012 16:59:40

+1
That is the falure of our government to offer any social service properly. They can't do anything right. Now we want them to take care of our healthcare system???? Oh say it isn't so!!!

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Angela ... to Ann hall May 16, 2012 16:37:27

How truthful are those ad's. I can't believe it.

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Diane O February 25, 2012 23:44:17

Yes

well here ya go all you holier then thou ppl it got shot down so they won't be banning anything so now ya all have something to really bitch aboutFlorida House panel rejects food stamp sweets ban The panel stripped the junk food provision from a bill (HB 1401) that also would prohibit welfare recipients from using debit-like electronic cards to access cash benefits outside of Florida or at strip clubs, liquor stores, bars and gambling establishments so here is a quarter call someone that cares this was in a west palm paper

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lori to Diane O February 26, 2012 14:20:54

that isn't exactly true. Children and family service voted in favor of the Bill on what to buy with the food stamp card. This act shall take effect July 1, 2012. It is a FELONY to accept the debit like card for anything other then what it is intended for. Florida had to do something, 1 out of 6 are on food stamps. Children are going hungry because of the drug abuse or using the card for other then food. Only 2% are tested for drugs, not much but the children of these drug addicts need the food stamp card for food. As far as the Junk Food provision that it is appeal.

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art1ej February 22, 2012 12:38:43

No

i dont think you should be able too..just normal healthy food....

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lori to art1ej February 22, 2012 12:57:39

+1
I agree, if people where more reasponsible and used common sense we wouldn't even have this discussion. But they want to use convience over healthy and cooking a good meal.

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lori to art1ej February 23, 2012 23:09:05

+1
i agree

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scorpionhorse February 21, 2012 19:38:45

Yes

not too much tho

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lori to scorpio... February 21, 2012 21:26:52

you mean not to much junk food, i hope so .

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LainaXTC February 20, 2012 20:48:16

Yes

+2
i think if people with money waste it on fast food then poor ppl should be able to buy whatever kind of food they want, families with good paying jobs hardly even cook anymore and thats kinda sad, i cant even get a slush puppie or a starbucks double shot from some stores with foodstamps, and i cant get fastfood, just because im less fortunate doesnt mean im less privalidged, does it?

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lori to LainaXTC February 20, 2012 21:16:26

What this means is you are on government assistance paid by the tax payers and if you don't want government assistance or the government telling you what you can buy then don't get food stamps, find a job any job and if it doesn't pay enough get two jobs. I had to, i was laid off years ago and had to get food stamps and unemployment but not for long as i did get another job and then i got another job in the evening in a real estate office. Now i am well enough off, own my own house and am retired. But i grow my own vegetables and cook my own food. We do go out to dinner once in awhile but we earned it. I do not think people with money waste it on fast food. maybe once in a while but not on the average. They want to stay healthy and staying away from junk food is in the best interest of society and yourself. Otherwise, a person will the habit of junk food will become unhealthy.

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LainaXTC to lori February 20, 2012 21:43:38

+1
well i grew up with a single parent on welfare and ssi, who is mentally disabled x-drug addict, and mentally abusive,she isolated me never taught me to be successful, wouldnt let me get a job because theyd take it out of her check, never took me to get my learners, iam 19 i have a job, a daughter, and i try to eat healthy,but if i have two jobs how do u expect me to take care of and raise my child and go to school. all while waiting on a stupid waiting list to have a place to call home. do i want to be on fs? no i wanted a normal life with a normal well to do family that put me on the track to success. the state doesnt even pay for my child care when im at work and school. i dont drink pop and i buy organic milk, because i want my child to have the best. who r u to judge what is possible for me. u r not god and u have no right to tell me we cant have chocolate or hot food, what land do u suppose i grow my vegtables on? apt complexes dont give u land to plant things lol really . be practical and stop stereotyping.

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lori to LainaXTC February 20, 2012 21:54:42

First, i lived in a apt for fourteen years, the sameone one, same neighbors and i did container gardening on my patio start off small a is a good project for your child to learn. Good for you for going to school that is a giant step. You might have been poor with your mother, but you are determine not to stay poor. Teaching your child good eating habits and values is the best thing you can give him/her. Doesn't mean it will not change as a adult but you did your part.And I am not telling you , you can't buy junk food, the governent is telling you. Like i said it is government assistance funding by the tax payers and children are eating too much junk. That is why the obiesty rate is so high among children. Since parents any parent, maybe not you but they can't seem to make good food choices. If they could this would not be a subject. You can cook and freeze, Much cheaper. good luck to you.

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LainaXTC to LainaXTC February 20, 2012 21:58:37

im lucky to buy clothes for me and my child after buying diapers and wipes toilet paper shampoo andd all other necesities... lord know i need a phone which i only get 500 minutes on and a carseat which was 70 dollars cuz i have to get the cheapest. just leave me alone i have enough ppl in my family to make me feel worthless... i dont need strangers judging me as well especially when theyve never walked in my shoes or lended a hand to help me

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LainaXTC to LainaXTC February 20, 2012 22:06:44

and i hope youll be glad to look down on us and see that we do eat healthy and that i only weigh 100 lbs and the doctor says my daughter is growing great and is advanced for her age. u r a bully is all u are trying to make ppl feel bad because they need help. maybe they should just kill us all off since were all so helpless and ignorant. money is the devil and i want to go to heavan so i will never get greedy with it to where im telling ppl what they can and can not buy with their public assistance just because they take money from my check to help those in need.

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lori to LainaXTC February 20, 2012 22:44:38

+1
You are so sorry and really sick, Your attitude stinks. This will rub off on your chlld, so get some help before your child has the same attitude as you. If money is the devil then quite your job. People that have money or get along have worked hard for it. That is what God expects us to do... Work.

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lori to LainaXTC February 20, 2012 22:41:11

Please stop whinning... I had to do alot also had my down side, but didn't whin about it did what i had to do to eat and make a better life for myself. You stop feeling so sorry for yourself and quite relying for other people to help you. Help yourself. There are plenty of christian organiztions that you can get a carseat and i believe the fire dept helps with somethings. I do not believe your family is making you feel worthless, it is yourself that is making you feel that way. So pick yourself up and brush yourself off and do what you have to do to make a better life for you and your child, that needs to be your focus. Not lashing out at me because you are not happy with your life.

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lori to LainaXTC February 20, 2012 22:45:09

read this back to yourself. Whin, Whin, Whin.

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Diane O to lori February 23, 2012 22:34:11

+2
and read this back to yourself I am a mean ass worthless bitch that gets off on making poor young girls feel worthless well you must have money cause you talk like you do and the way you treat ppl well my wish for you is that you go broke and have to live on food stamps and that everybody read your posts on here so they know how heartless you are so they won't give you a job you weren't raised very well cause if you were you would have compassion for ppl not seeing how mean and nasty you can be hope you don't and never do have kids

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Diane O to LainaXTC February 23, 2012 22:23:55

+2
you are not worthless and don't let any of these snobs on here tell you otherwise cause you hit the nail on the head they never walked in your shoes don't even bother with what they say your trying to help yourself but some stupid ass ppl thats just not good enough they think there better anyhow but we know there not they all think ppl that get fs are fat lazy and don't have a job I can't count how many of them I read you trying and you just keep doing what your doing and take good care of your daughter I wish you all the best

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thegaln... to LainaXTC May 14, 2012 17:36:46

I commend you for working so hard and wanting healthy. It's very hard to eat healthy on food pantry items (lots of mac cheese) and stale bread... but as for eating out at McDonald's etc??? --- I think you know better.... mcdonald's is not healthy food and it's expensive... buy a pound of burger and make your own.... don't mean to be judging but I really do know a bit from whence you come and do commend you for wanting to be healthy and get ahead.

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thegaln... to lori May 14, 2012 17:31:46

lori.... you were blessed to be able to find more work.... many people around here can't even find work.... one guy finally got a job as a fill in worker and there's been no fill in jobs.. he calls every day but there's no work.

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lori to thegaln... May 14, 2012 17:34:37

first i am retired and on a budget. second of all what does buying junk food have to do with not finding a job. if you are on food stamps the last thing you need is junk food. but fruits and vegetable or better yet, grow them.

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thegaln... to lori May 17, 2012 04:34:16

consider yourself blessed that you can do all those things.. not everyone can...the last thing ANYONE needs in junk food but while I will agree that low economic people shouldn't be denied junk food neither should the bulk of their purchases on food stamps be junk food. And not everyone can grow their own food, either for space, or technique or whatever... that's where education comes in ...as does it with choosing healthy foods. Be thankful you have a budget you can work with to buy what you need. You are truly blessed.

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lori to thegaln... May 17, 2012 14:26:54

yes i am truly bless with the intelligence to take care of myself and to know enough not to buy junk food. anyone , anyone can grow there own vegetables it is happening all across american and if they don't know, ask or search, there are plenty of organization that can help and educate. There is no excuse for buying crap in the store, There is container gardening, inground gardening, many are gardening in apts . on patios, do your research and maybe you will start growning you own veg.

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thegaln... to lori May 20, 2012 05:47:24

thanks my brother has a nice garden and gives me produce...I've tried gardening and if I had to depend on gardening I'd starve....

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lori to thegaln... May 20, 2012 11:05:11

tell your brother to give you some tips. but i am glad to hear he likes gardening you will never starve with him.

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thegaln... to lori May 20, 2012 19:14:29

some people just are not gifted with green thumbs...we all have our talents.

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lori to thegaln... May 20, 2012 19:28:49

everyone else, depends on how much efford you put into it.

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Mary Jane February 15, 2012 18:44:59

Yes

+2
Poor people already have it bad enough and most healthy foods/recipes are very expensive. Furthermore, some food is better than NO food!

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lori to Mary Jane February 15, 2012 20:54:55

grow your own vegatables whether in ground or in containers. really easy and fun, seeds are very cheap. cooking yourself is much cheaper and easier then those terrible lunches at school. Healthy foods are not expensive to make. 1 can tomatoes, 2 cans sauce, 1 can paste, italian spices, basil, oregano, a little olive oil, salt , peppers, hamburger, or sauage, onion, green pepper optional. enought for a family of four and you can freeze. cheap enough. Making your own is much better for your family then buying that junk from the schools.

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