Thank you for sharing this Pam.

I hope I don't offend anyone here but it used to really URK me while workin in the supermarket biz for 28 yrs, how the low income families still managed to have enough food stamps/access/snap benefits to purchase items such as large sheet cakes and party platters as well as cases upon cases of soda.

I grew up very very poor. We were a family of 8 not to mention the foster children we had and there was no compensation for foster families at that time. Only dad was working and at a supermarket of all places. Still we managed to get by. God Bless her my mom would make our birthday cakes and if we had any sort of party it was usually burgers and dogs and iced tea. Keep in mind we didn't get a party every year. I got one at age 10...thats it. LOL!!

Alas we didn't have a lot of cash but we did grow our own food so veggies were there in season and put up for winter. We had peach trees and plum trees and the neighbors had apples so we had good fruit too.

I applaud any incentive to get folks to eat healthier and if the food stamp bonus program takes off I would be thrilled!!

Please tax soda and make it non foodstampable....and while you are at it please do ramdom drug screening for anyone who recieves any of the finacial assistance programs including wic! If you have money to go out and get high, you have enough money to buy your baby milk!!

Now this comes from my own personal experience and believe me I am so beyond happy I no longer have to deal with it, but there is such and attitude of entitlement amoung those who live off the system...almost a sense of pride in themselves that they can shove it in the faces of those of us who are working and supporting them.
I recall one afternoon as a child where the apple neighbor stopped by and brought us 2 baskets of apples. My mom was so greatful she actually wept and in return my mom sent 2 of my brothers to the neighbors home to help rake the yard.

Good foods and good exercise...no TV or video games. We were involved in sports and music and church so there really no time for foolishness or questionable activity.

I can't wait to see all these programs implimented!!

JMHO!!

Cheers!
Susie

Susie, I understand your frustration in seeing people use government subsidized food stamps to buy crap, especially if they have access to healthier choices, which they often don't.

There aren't many grocery stores in poor neighborhoods, just corner stores that sell soda and snack food. It's expensive and difficult to take public transportation to a normal grocery store. Maybe through this program along with some education, people will have the opportunity to eat well. Kind of makes me feel good that Philadelphia is leading the way. We're a city known for great food so it only seems right.

I work with poor kids at a local community center. Most of them know how and want to eat right. But access is a definate issue. Poor people don't always have access to a car, and not all places have great public transportation either. Of course there are some obnoxious people in the system, but I can see a program like this really making a difference for those who want to participate.

Good for Philadelphia, at least they're trying.

For the record, add me to the list of people who do not believe that soft drinks should be purchased with food stamps. It's not food, has no nutrition and even convenience stores that sell mostly snacks and soft drinks usually have a few juice selections and milk products.

Michigan has "Project Fresh", coupons which are only redeemable on fresh produce at farmer's markets, it's been around since the 80s. Access is still a problem, because although even Detroit has farmer's markets like Eastern Market, public transportation and distance may be problematic.

Some won't buy/use healthier products anyway, but at least this gives them the opportunity.

Annie