Food stamps for fast food

[trucktina]

@trucktina That is David Boreanez from the show "Bones" and "Angel".

Oh, sorry! I never watched those shows much.

[vmcutshall]

I don't think this would be a good idea. I see people get their groceries at the beginning of the month and by the end they are out of food and food stamps. If they could by fast food with them then they would only eat 1 to two weeks and starve the rest of the month.

[drandall]

I read an article today that said in some states, food stamps can be used at places like KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and they are lobbying to allow this in more states.  They idea behind it is to allow those who are homeless or not able to cook a meal a place to get hot food instead of buying chips and candy bars. 

What do you all think about this?

Good idea on paper. Only one small problem. NYC is one of those places that allow this. I have personally seen on countless occasions that it's not been the homeless taking advantage of this. Try some woman or guy dressed better than me with gold everything standing in front of me paying with their food stamps. Annoys the hell out of me.

[dbreidenbach]

It's a bad idea.  As someone who receives food stamps (who doesn't dress better than those around me, but I have seen those types, and it irritates me as well), I'd say people would easily abuse this.  The people who really need them and must make them last for an entire month go out of their way to prepare nutritious meals within their monthly allotment.  People are just too lazy to cook, they want everything right now.

People can also purchase junk food with them, that should be eliminated.  They can buy soda/chips/candy and all that icky processed food.  Gross!

[gatorfever85]

I think Food Stamps at restaurants is a good idea for people who can't cook or do not have a place to cook

[wiersmak]

Not a real fan of this idea.  Too easy to abuse.

[bjohnson16]

I think that instead of offering the fast food option, it should be that they have sites that people can get food warmed or cooked.  I know that there are a lot of different places in our state that you can get food hot.  Having worked in a couple of places where families received food stamps.  We would always know what time of the month it was because of food the children have.  I think you should not just get food stamps, I think there should be some education to go with it to help people know what is a good purchase and what is not.  Also it would help if some of the foods that are good for you where priced at a cost you could afford not just the foods that are processed and high in fats.  I also think that people that are homeless could look at the local soup kitchens or centers that offer meals.  I know that in our state they are offering free lunch and breakfast for school age children this summer.  They doing this by a truck and they are also working with parks and recreation departments.  So letting people know where they can get the food then they can use the food stamps to purchase things that don't need to be heated.

[keith74]

I don't think Food stamps should be used for fast food, they can get more groceries if they buy from a grocery store. Of course if it passed I might use my stamps once in awhile to eat out, but if I want to eat the rest of the month I would need to go and buy what I need at a grocery store and if I was homeless I would buy stuff to make sandwhiches that would not have to be refrigerated.  We have use our imagination when it comes to budgeting even if we have foods stamps its to make sure we get healthy meals through out the month.

[Cuppycake]

WTF They can get a sandwich ffs!

[workmama]

I read an article today that said in some states, food stamps can be used at places like KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and they are lobbying to allow this in more states.  They idea behind it is to allow those who are homeless or not able to cook a meal a place to get hot food instead of buying chips and candy bars. 

What do you all think about this?

I do not think this would be a good idea at all!! Here in Oklahoma, I know people who sell or "trade" their food stamps or cash balances between each other and for their benefit only. I think most parents with children who are on welfare are just lazy. If you have food stamps in my area, more than likely, you live in low-income housing with a stove and a microwave. Some units will have a dishwasher even. You are telling me that these parents don't know how to cook? More like knowing how to cook weed or making a meth lab. It makes me sick. A town about 20 miles where I live, was cooking up a meth lab right across an elementary school!! How sad!!
I think that if food stamps were accepted in fast foods, pretty soon the Government is going to blame these restaurants, like McDonald's again for making people obese! Get real! That is just my opinion. 

[JoselinTorres]

Why cant a homeless person just buy food like cans, bread, etc at the grocery store. I think it's 

[wiersmak]

"I know that in our state they are offering free lunch and breakfast for school age children this summer.  They doing this by a truck and they are also working with parks and recreation departments. "

They do this in Colorado, I think it applies for seniors as well.  I know in some states, you can also use food stamps at Farmers Markets as well.

[CharmedPhoenix]

When it comes to hunger do we really have right to say who gets to eat and who doesn't or even what they get to eat. Why because it's America's tax dollar at work. Do you think that out of all the homeless people that not a one ever held a job. Chances are they have, and they once paid taxes too. Nobody should be hungry because of past mistakes, race, diability, gender. Give without the judgement. Give freely. You may need the same one day.

Thank you for your refreshing lack of judging.   

Some states, counties, towns cannot afford some of your suggestions, like community food prep places.  Not all people on EBT are obese or lazy or dishonest, etc.  There are no absolutes that cover everything and/or everybody.  It's a complex situation.  I live in a small town and our local newspaper covers the county.  In the last issue there were only three jobs advertised.  It's quite depressing.

I don't think they should be used on fast food because fast food is processed food full of additives that aren't good for you and can be addicting.  I also disagree with being told what I can and cannot buy at the grocery store.  All things in moderation.  If I want to keep ice cream in my freezer, buy a bottle of soda for movie night or keep an antioxidant rich dark chocolate bar in my fridge for a treat so what.  Sure some people don't know or care about eating healthy, but don't punish everyone.

Here in NM you can fill your cart with junk food, but you cannot get a hot chicken from the deli.  It would be nice to bring home hot deli food sometimes, at the end of a long day or a smoked turkey leg when there aren't any uncooked ones available.

My ancestors came here to establish a free country.  They fought for our freedom, as many still do today.  Be careful to not undo what they have done.   

[handllucas]

I*n the 'older' days people did not get food stamps. They had to go to a designated store/station and receive 'rations' of cheese, bread, milk, etc. The distribution station did not have any other items in it. I can still remember those 5 lb blocks of american cheese.
I think this was a better way because the food was usually higher in nutritional value than a lot of the brands in the store now.
This did not have the problem of the aid being traded for cash or drugs. Can you see selling a gallon of milk, or trading it for cocaine? Do not think it would happen

[dmahoney]

I think if you can pass a drug test and prove that you are trying to get a job then you derserve some help, but if you cant, the help shuld be cut off. As far as the fast food thing, well I am undecided at this point. The way the costs are going up at the grocery store, sometimes it is cheaper to eat out for 1 or 2 people.