# Should people only be allowed to purchase ingredients with food stamps? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 6, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410 "2010-08-06T16:08:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/221 "2010-08-09T15:25:57Z")
Oh, yeah, I have to second that about food banks - having been to a couple during poverty times all I can say is that the food you get is often worse than chips and dip. And even if you _do_ get canned vegetables (which, having a long shelf life are easier for agencies to deal with than fresh) you almost never get real protein other than peanut butter. Donate some canned hams or tuna or chicken or beef stew or something - they may not be perfect but it’s a damn site better than a lot of the stuff food pantries get! ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/222 "2010-08-09T16:15:59Z")
Another thing to keep in mind is that many people on food stamps may not have access to stores that sell ingredients. See [food deserts](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_desert). ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/223 "2010-08-09T16:22:08Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Oh, yeah, I have to second that about food banks - having been to a couple during poverty times all I can say is that the food you get is often worse than chips and dip. And even if you _do_ get canned vegetables (which, having a long shelf life are easier for agencies to deal with than fresh) you almost never get real protein other than peanut butter. Donate some canned hams or tuna or chicken or beef stew or something - they may not be perfect but it’s a damn site better than a lot of the stuff food pantries get! My food bank has a plastic tub to put the stuff you don’t want and to take what you wll use. Being a vegetarian, I put the canned meats there and take the veggies, esp. beans. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/224 "2010-08-09T16:50:30Z")
You’d think that after the many, many discussions we’ve had, people would realize that there’s no “one size fits all” situation when it comes to food stamps. But no, sadly everyone should buy what **I** think they should buy. It’s **my** tax dollars. And heaven forbid anyone should spend a buck fifty on a bag of chips, or buy a half-galleon of ice cream for their kids. Jesus. People, if someone wants an occassional treat\*, WHO THE HELL CARES??? You’re still going to spend the same amount of money, no matter what. And as **monstro** pointed out, “ingredients” and cooking doesn’t necessarily equal healthy. (You should see all the greasy fried crap my aunt makes!) \*Yes, I know some people buy nothing BUT treats. Big deal, that’s their problem. Just because someone is on food stamps doesn’t mean they should be treated like children. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/225 "2010-08-09T17:17:43Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > You’d think that after the many, many discussions we’ve had, people would realize that there’s no “one size fits all” situation when it comes to food stamps. > > But no, sadly everyone should buy what **I** think they should buy. It’s **my** tax dollars. And heaven forbid anyone should spend a buck fifty on a bag of chips, or buy a half-galleon of ice cream for their kids. Jesus. So you would have no problem with letting them by alcohol? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/226 "2010-08-09T17:20:06Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > \*Yes, I know some people buy nothing BUT treats. Big deal, that’s their problem. Just because someone is on food stamps doesn’t mean they should be treated like children. We restrict WIC items in an effort to see that money is spent wisely. Complaining about it is an academic exercise in futility. Beer, potato chips, $20 lb steak are not on the menu. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/227 "2010-08-09T17:39:41Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > We restrict WIC items in an effort to see that money is spent wisely. No, WIC items are restricted because the program has a very specific and very narrow focus: providing **supplemental** nutrition to pregnant and nursing mothers, infants and children who are medically deemed to be at risk of nutritional insufficiency. WIC is not a general food program, it’s meant to bridge the gap between what their family can afford on their own (whether their own earnings or SNAP or a combination) and what they need during a limited time of life with special nutritional demands. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/228 "2010-08-09T18:12:17Z")
Jesus Christ, this thread has some sad, pissy, petty people in it. You know, this is the kind of thing that’s led me to the conclusion that much of what passes for conservativism these days has all the intellectual heft of screeching toddlers fighting over toys. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/229 "2010-08-09T18:19:31Z")
Again, feeding poor people is a side effect of the real point of the program - transferring tax dollars to farmers, food companies and food wholesalers and retailers. Personally, feeding hungry people is a lot better than paying farmers to plow under surplus crops. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/230 "2010-08-09T18:27:51Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > Again, feeding poor people is a side effect of the real point of the program - transferring tax dollars to farmers, food companies and food wholesalers and retailers. Personally, feeding hungry people is a lot better than paying farmers to plow under surplus crops. And as a former food company employee - by extension transferring those dollars into the hands of the people who work in the industry. Nothing is ever simple and dependency free. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/231 "2010-08-09T19:12:28Z")
WIC is more specifically tied to the dairy industry and I believe part of it’s aim is to provide a useful outlet for America’s subsidized food products, much like the old “government cheese.” ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/232 "2010-08-09T19:21:08Z")
> [@tumbleddown](#): > > > [@Magiver](#): > > > > We restrict WIC items in an effort to see that money is spent wisely. > > No, WIC items are restricted because the program has a very specific and very narrow focus: providing **supplemental** nutrition to pregnant and nursing mothers, infants and children who are medically deemed to be at risk of nutritional insufficiency. WIC is not a general food program, it’s meant to bridge the gap between what their family can afford on their own (whether their own earnings or SNAP or a combination) and what they need during a limited time of life with special nutritional demands. Providing nutritional food versus potato chips is the definition of spending money wisely for food. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/233 "2010-08-09T19:22:34Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > WIC is more specifically tied to the dairy industry and I believe part of it’s aim is to provide a useful outlet for America’s subsidized food products, much like the old “government cheese.” You can go into a Krogers store in my area and see WIC stickers in every isle. It is not tied to dairy. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/234 "2010-08-09T19:33:45Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > So you would have no problem with letting them by alcohol? [/QUOTE] No, I don’t believe alcohol should be allowed – nor tobacco or pet food, for that matter. (I **do** think that it should be expanded to include necessities such as toilet paper, diapers, menstrual products, etc) **Magiver** , WIC is something entirely different. (I’m seeing a LOT of the old “penny-wise, pound foolish,” attitude here) ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/235 "2010-08-09T20:04:14Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Jesus Christ, this thread has some sad, pissy, petty people in it. > > You know, this is the kind of thing that’s led me to the conclusion that much of what passes for conservativism these days has all the intellectual heft of screeching toddlers fighting over toys. When the Republicans fought tooth and nail against the same health care proposal on which their candidate had just run for President, I think it became clear the party had jumped the shark. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/236 "2010-08-11T19:15:19Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > > [@Broomstick](#): > > > > Particularly since anyone in this thread may be posting from a free terminal in a public library rather than paying for internet service on a privately owned machine. For some reason, the Snarkies don’t seem to think poor people use libraries. > > I know you’re trying to educate people in this thread and I think that’s great. Like I mentioned above, I don’t think we should be demanding what people buy with their food stamps. I really don’t. > > But I think, like other topics on the dope, people tend to get too wrapped up (as I think you are) in “proving” their point with a bunch of what-ifs that are probably not the norm like “what if some drunk runs through your tomato patch!?!” I really don’t think those examples help. > > Yes, people do sometimes post from a public library. Is that where you are right now? Do you really think that most people who post online who say they are poor are posting from the public library? How about when they post late at night? > > Do you really think the majority of people on food stamps are out looking for a job 30-40 hours a week? Really and truly, you believe that? Just because _you_ did doesn’t mean everyone does. > > I saw so much waste and overheard so much stuff when I was a cashier in college. Then working as a nurse in the emergency department I witnessed so much abuse of health cards. People coming in for things that aren’t anywhere close to being an emergency. A huge waste of tax payer money BUT I would never think we should do away with health cards. People, no matter their income, deserve health care in this country IMHO. > > I bring this up because I think that in ANY argument if you try to cling to the what-ifs that are not the norm you lose people and, quite frankly, you’re not doing any good. Why? Because MOST people who are suffering (whether it’s drug addiction, obesity, being poor, etc etc) are not part of that what-if category. > > That doesn’t mean they “deserve” to be poor because they have a crockpot and a kitchen. That doesn’t mean that they’re bad parents because they feed their kids convenience food. > > This economy is still pretty bad. I’m very fortunate that I’ve never known poverty. I think that a lot of people need help these days that never needed it before because of the economy. I also think (and riding with the ambulance crews to houses opened my eyes to this) that a GREAT deal of people who are poor are stuck in situations that they just plain don’t know how to get out of. Their families have always been poor and this is what they’ve learned. It’s hard to concentrate on getting yourself out of a bad situation if you’re focused on just surviving. > > Still, let’s dial it back on the “what if!” situations that probably are the exception and not the norm, huh? I know this is a long thread and that is a long post, but I quoted in entirety because I think it is a terrific fucking post. Awesome. But! I gotta admit, I get why folks keep bringing up the ‘what ifs’. It isn’t because those ‘what ifs’ are common, or the norm. It isn’t because Broomstick honestly thinks that most poor folks can’t get a hold of a crockpot. It’s just to hope that folks may learn to mind their goddamn business! You know? I used to go to the store for my best friend’s mom when she couldn’t go. I don’t know if that was against the rules to use her EBT, and I don’t care. I would buy her stuff and I’m sure people judged me for the iphone on my hip. Had someone felt they needed to ‘speak up’ they would have sounded like a real idiot to me. How dare you think you know my situation? You have no way of having any clue, so just save yourself some embarrassment by minding your own damn biz! Before we get to the point where we are slapping cheese doodles out of the mouths of welfare kids, “That’s not even fooood!!!” lets just take a moment to remind ourselves to mind our own damn business. “Those are _my_ tax dollars and therefore _my_ business” Hahaa! Please. No. Your tax dollars paid to allot x amount to the person and now it’s their business. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/237 "2010-08-11T21:41:20Z")
The Constitution says you are not entitled to keep every damn dollar you earn, so quit acting like you are. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/238 "2010-08-11T22:05:45Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Before we get to the point where we are slapping cheese doodles out of the mouths of welfare kids, “That’s not even fooood!!!” lets just take a moment to remind ourselves to mind our own damn business. “Those are _my_ tax dollars and therefore _my_ business” Hahaa! Please. No. Your tax dollars paid to allot x amount to the person and now it’s their business. Cheese doodles, bottle of wine, $100/lb steak. It’s all good. What difference does not make if tax dollars earmarked to feed people are poorly spent. It’s just money. The supply is unlimited. We can print more of it and sell the debt to China for our children to repay. The important thing is that those in need have an unlimited choice of food to consume. Let them eat cake. Screw the heartless bastards who think tax money should be wisely spent so it serves the most number of people with the lowest cost. And to hell with their children who are stuck with the debt PLUS the next round of debt for their own generation of cheese doodle consumers. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/239 "2010-08-11T22:59:08Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Screw the heartless bastards who think tax money should be wisely spent so it serves the most number of people with the lowest cost. And to hell with their children who are stuck with the debt PLUS the next round of debt for their own generation of cheese doodle consumers. I’m moved to tears by your compassion. Laughter, but still. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410/240 "2010-08-11T23:01:19Z")
Cheese doodles are the one true debt menace. This country will be toppled by the cost of cheese doodles alone. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-only-be-allowed-to-purchase-ingredients-with-food-stamps/549410.md?page=13)