What do I observe? I have encountered, in the past week, a deaf person who signed to me how prices were going up going up going up, and all I could say was I'm sorry sorry sorry. Yesterday, two came into the store asking for food. The first one sat there and cried and cried and cried, and the employees, yes the employees!!!, donated money for her to get a basketful of food. The second one got in, after the doors were locked??? Another employee, yes an employee!!!, bought him a box of donuts. And we gave him a banana because that's what the kids get for free. Do you need more? Everyone complains of high prices. But they're desperate enough that they're breaking in?!

And this is my second job, that I do for fun. My first job is, um, not this. It's supposed to be fun, not heartbreaking. I'll help them, just like everyone else. In my store. Which is why I took this job. I feel like I'm out of touch, and it's opening my eyes. The general public is not doing as well as everyone thinks they are doing.

It sounds credible to me. I know an expert in survey research and have learned about how accurate a well designed survey is, as well as how conclusions are drawn from the math that is done on the results. A lot of carp called surveys, aren't at all what they say they are, but the USDA is highly likely to do it right. Additionally, based on news reports, what the food banks and other service agencys have said, etc. my person impression (wholly unscientific) is that those numbers sound right.

Generally, a well designed survey would be able to discern the difference between not spluging on luxury foods, and not buying a bit of stew meat to enhance the rice and beans, or having a pasta dinner instead of a chicken.

I do know a lot of children rely on school meals to avoid hunger. There's an organization around here that tries to bridge the gap during vacations. I know more about the pre-pandemic issues. Recently I viewed or read a report on the success of school food programs and how meals for all, as done during the pandemic, was even better because it reduced the stygma of getting the free or reduced price meals. Feeding the children, at a ridiculously small cost per, is proven to overwhelmingly improve school performance, health, etc., etc., and from the point of view of the greatest benefit to society for producing good citizen, it's an overwhelming success.

Some states have very few resources for the hungry. Some have full on safety nets. Some have excellent non-profit food banks and resource programs, some only have giveaways of surplus, shelf stable, low quality foods.

My social group is more limited, however, and to the best of my knowledge, while some, especially elders on fixed incomes, are careful with their food budgets, they're not ”insecure”.

Some time ago, I went into Whole Foods (before Amazon) and could not believe their prices. No way I could shop in WF for food. As I was walking out, I noted there was a sign above the cashier which said "We Accept Food Stamps".

I was confused if I was food insecure.

dcarch

So people who live on food stamps should not be able to get food? What did I just read?

What's appropriate? Do other people get to pick the food they consume?

An acquaintance is the director of a regional food bank. Within the last 18 months he told me how significantly the population they serve has grown. Another friend volunteers at a church food bank and she has shared similar info at least 2 years ago.

I think all grocery stores should accept food stamps. Whole Foods might be within closer walking distance than Kroger and even if the spent dollars don’t go as far they should still be spendable. I know there are some limitations on what sorts of food are legally purchased with food stamps but wholesomeness should be a primary consideration.

Many years ago, when food stamps were paper coupons, I learned about a young woman who was getting out her food stamps at checkout, when a woman behind her started berating her for buying a package of half a dozen cupcakes. They had been from the day old table and the young woman was buying them for her child's birthday. That was the total of his gift. Day old cupcakes to share with his siblings, and his mom could only afford that much by having the food stamps which she was able to conserve enough to get this one little thing. She was crushed by that busybody just for trying to bring a little celebration to her kids. Of course wholesome in general, but never make assumptions about the particulars.

Who are you to decide what anyone gets or does not get?

But we do decide. Like it or not. Maybe not you directly but we as a Nation do decide. We fed all the school kids during covid and now we don't.

As for Whole Foods It is good that anyone can shop there but you are kidding yourself if you think everyone can afford it. That's why I'd scoff at the sign.

Amazon now labels which foods are SNAP EBT eligible .

dcarch

I remember when DD told us, a week into her first year of high school, that she’d gotten a job helping the “lunch lady” serve food in the cafeteria. I was surprised and pleased. I worked in the cafeteria at school too. She did that job for two years, then stopped because so many of the clubs etc met at lunch that she was missing out. By then she was working summers in the camp kitchen.

Yes, I think all kids should get lunch at school. And a breakfast snack.

Our free and reduced student meal ticket rates include about 65 percent of the school district families.

The local multi-purpose center allows one pick up monthly, while the middle school pantry may be used more frequently. Churches are always doing fundraisers for both. All are heavily used. There is usually a themed need of the week.