The Trump administration has proposed reforming the way the SNAP (food stamp) program is administered. Rather than issuing an electronic benefits card for people to use to buy groceries at the grocery stores, people would received a box of food containing shelf-stable milk, canned meats, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, pasta, and cereals. The Agriculture Department figures this would save about $2 billion a year because it would be able to buy these items in bulk.
The proposal does not say how the users would received the boxes, rather it puts that burden on the states to figure out.
Only people that get more than $90 worth of benefits would get the food boxes. The food boxes would not replace the electronic benefit cards, but would comprise up to 50% of the monthly benefit. So, half your benefit would come from the boxed foodstuffs and half would be money loaded on a benefit card.
I have mixed feelings about this.
On the one hand I'm attracted to the money saving potential of this. Also the ability to see that people get at least half their food in actual food and not in soda pop, junk food, and other unhealthy items.
BUT...this smacks of Big Brother. This is taking away freedom, the freedom to buy your own food. This is forcing government further into our lives. This will create an unfunded mandate on the states to figure out a distribution scheme. Frankly, it reminds me of communism. Here is your allotted about of food that we decide you should have. You're going to love it!
Bottom line--this is NOT Making America Great Again.
Your thoughts?
The proposal does not say how the users would received the boxes, rather it puts that burden on the states to figure out.
Only people that get more than $90 worth of benefits would get the food boxes. The food boxes would not replace the electronic benefit cards, but would comprise up to 50% of the monthly benefit. So, half your benefit would come from the boxed foodstuffs and half would be money loaded on a benefit card.
I have mixed feelings about this.
On the one hand I'm attracted to the money saving potential of this. Also the ability to see that people get at least half their food in actual food and not in soda pop, junk food, and other unhealthy items.
BUT...this smacks of Big Brother. This is taking away freedom, the freedom to buy your own food. This is forcing government further into our lives. This will create an unfunded mandate on the states to figure out a distribution scheme. Frankly, it reminds me of communism. Here is your allotted about of food that we decide you should have. You're going to love it!
Bottom line--this is NOT Making America Great Again.
Your thoughts?
