Food stamps for fast food

[EDW39A]

If a person needs food stamps, they do not need expensive, non-nutritional fast food... my opinion, maybe MickyD's is really nutritious and i didn't know it...

McDonald's burgers can be a good snack just like Burger Kings can be but one dollar may be to much to pay. Seems most people will not go there just for a snack. A value meal at a fast food place can be between $6-$7 in my area. A big unhealthy bread and meat sandwich (remove most of the bread and some of the meat and it is okay once and a while) with over priced unhealthy french fries and an unhealthy overpriced ( a soft drink at the local supermarket can be purchased for $0.21) drink. For six dollars I can go to the buffet for lunch and have salad, soup, vegetables, nine kinds of fish, beef, chicken, fruit all healthy. The problem is multifaceted, people lack nutritional knowledge and financial knowledge. And of course you could prepare more nutritious and cheaper meals on your own.

[Pplaya123]

I don't think that it will be passed because first of all, fast food is incredibly unhealthy and homeless people need as much nutrition as possible. Secondly, fast food is sort of unnecessary. Food stamps can access much better foods. Fast food should be out of a person's diet regardless of class.

[lbryanwf]

I guess it would be ok if they are homeless, but the piddly amount they give for food stamps wont last too long buying expensive fast food. I used to work in the welfare department and issued food stamps in Californa. The program and amounts are designed for grocery store bought food, and you really need to budget to make them last a full month...stews, casseroles and eating leftovers.

[monnee]

Food stamps should only be for healthy foods, but people are going to buy whatever they want to eat that tastes good to them.

[cheermomtoo]

I personally use the foodstamp program here in Missouri and you can't use them to buy hot items.  I also don't think using food stamps to purchase fast food should be allow becuse you food stamps would go further to provide food if you prepare it your self.  I woud use my food stamps to go out to eat that is something you save up to do.  As for the homeless they may not be able to purchase there food all at one time but their are many things they can buy at a grocery to that doesn't require you to cook it to eat it, and for not having much they could eat sandwiches of all kinds and have a variety with purchasing at the grocery store and its more than they had so I don't think they would be to picky.  If they need a hot meal they can go to gas stations and get a cold sandwich like hambergers, burritos, chili dogs already packaged and use there microwave to heat it.  Using food stamps this way would be a waste and what about the children, instead of eating at home they would not get as much food if there parents take them out all the time.  Of course that would only be with parents who don't want there children having a well balanced meal.  I know a few people that are lazy and would rather get food from somewhere where its already made to feed their kids so they would not have to this is my concern becuase fast food isn't really all that healthy and we will have children with all kinds of health problems, just because they are not getting proper nutrition.

I think there are people that will take the easy way out no matter what.  I was standing in line behind a young woman with two kids in the cart.  Her card didn't have enough on it to buy everything she picked out so she put back the cabbage, carrots and raw chicken.  She kept the cookies, chips and sodas.  Her rationale to the clerk was, the things she put back she would have to cook anyway and at least her kids will eat cookies.

[musicbrokers]

It's a really hard topic. I think that the program should be MORE specific about the foods you can buy, and certain things, like most beverages should be off limits.

[jorhea]

I know there are hard working people that need food stamps to help them eat. I many years ago, was a food stamp recipient. I worked a full time job and a part time job and still qualified. I disagree with fast food being paid for with food stamps. I also disagree with soda and candy being bought with food stamps. But I would rather see those items pass, than hearing about people selling their food stamps for cash.

[pattersondebra]

unbelievable, that should be against the law

[stretch1967]

This is not right. If they want to eat out go and get a job.

[mrisha]

lol..they just approved drug testing in Florida for foodstamp recipients...think its a good idea but alot say it violates peoples rights.

It worries me.  I see what happens with food stamps.  There are many who sell them so they can buy drugs.  But there are also children that will go hungry should their parents lose their food stamps.  Another topic where there are too many grey areas to sit on once side of the fence or another.

Well, if the parents care so little about their kids that they would let them go hungry rather than give up their drugs, the kids obviously don't have a very good life anyway and should be taken away and put in foster homes. I think the drug testing is a great idea. Also, the government could do a lot to curb obesity in this country by making it only possible to buy good basic nourishing food with food stamps, and not junk food of any kind. Most of the obese people are on welfare and food stamps. If they worked for a living, most of them wouldn't be so fat.

I have never been on food stamps or welfare, but before you start making stupid assumptions, first walk a mile in those on food stamps and welfare shoes.  Also most obese people are not on food stamps or welfare.  Ignorance in the USA is really running rampant and you seem to wallow in it.

[Beckys0528]

I don't think it is a very good idea at all, they can buy the food from the grocery store and make it like something you buy from the fast food places and it would be a lot cheaper.

[Clandestine1]

I LOVE THE IDEAL. I WOULD TAKE EVERY PENNY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAVE.

I really hope you're being sarcastic. Otherwise "I don't want to live on this planet anymore."

I think being able to buy fast food with food stamps is a bad idea, it promotes people like the person above me to live off and waste government money. I know their are people that truly need it and I wish them the best but their are also lazy people that abuse the system and don't deserve it. Also obesity is high here so I bet we would be feeding into it more.

[bloins]

I see Hispanics and blacks all the time in the grocery store with their buggies just running over. Most of what I see in black people's buggies is PURE JUNK, or it will be lobster, shrimp and Steaks. Hispanics buy more fresh vegetables. I see them pay with their EBT cards.

DO NOT accuse me of being prejudice. I am simply reporting what I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN !! Facts are facts!!

Are you saying that you don't see any white people using food stamps? What about Asian or African? (yes, there is a difference between Black and African) To me that comment seems very prejudiced. If you were just reporting facts, then why wouldn't you report what everyone is buying with food stamps and not single out (segregate) food stamp recipients based on their race?

My best friend provides home health care to disabled people, which includes doing their grocery shopping. Most of her clients are Caucasian and they receive food stamps. She is black. So when she is at the grocery store shopping for her clients, with a cart or multiple carts of food, she has to deal with people like you who look down on her and judge her when they don't know the FACTS. By the way she works two other jobs as well to support her family and has never received food stamps.

[goldcatt]

Most people who receive food stamps these days are the disabled, retired, unemployed (not by choice) and increasingly the underemployed, not necessarily recipients of other welfare type programs like TANF. But no matter what the situation, I don't begrudge anyone the ability to eat. It's not a "right", but it's the right thing to do.

That said, no, I don't think using food stamps at a burger joint is a good idea. And I do cringe when I see food stamps being used for things like candy bars. I'd love to see the real causes such as safe and easy access to regular grocery stores and the lack of knowledge of basic finances, consumer and domestic skills (not to mention the economy and employment situation!) addressed rather than subsidize Burger King. I just have no idea how that can happen with so much opposition, and so much resentment. Whatever some people might think, food stamps are no "living high off the hog" situation and the few who abuse them are far, far, FAR outnumbered by the many who truly need the help and follow the rules.

There but for the grace of God go all of us, you know. 

[jvang2]

That will be so so so so much better. food stamps buying hot foods just added more choices for people/families to eat better and enjiy!