So I was volunteering at the co-op as a cashier and this kid comes through the line. Probably early 20's, sorta hippie looking, able-bodied. He bought a bottle of Kombucha (a trendy fermented health beverage, $4 for 20 oz.) and a fancy large organic dark chocolate bar ($3.50). He paid with his electronic food support card, money from the government, money from taxpayers like me WHO RARELY BUY TREATS LIKE THIS FOR THEMSELVES BECAUSE I'M RESPONSIBLE WITH MY MONEY!!!!
I was pissed, in disbelief. I cannot figure it out. How does this happen? How do people like this get these kinds of benefits? Either this kid didn't really need the benefits, the gov't was giving him too much $$, or all he ate the entire day was kombucha and chocolate. I'm betting on one of the first two - probably, sickeningly, the first.
There are actually 2 issues making me angry here - first, the stupidity of the government, and second the lack of pride and responsibility of people who abuse these services. The second issue especially hit home when I went to see The Greatest Generation exhibit at the Minnesota History Center the next day.
Ok, that's my rant.
Cheers, K
I've had similar feelings--like when I go to the grocery store and the people in front of me buy junk food with their foods stamps and then alcohol and tobacco with their cash.
ReplyDeleteI know that there are those out there that truly do need the help, but it is so frustrating to so those that abuse it.
The cash benefit has to be paid back, so it's THEIR MONEY to do with what they wish. I did the same and paying $100.00 a month to clear it. Also, before receiving the cash, you must sign and have it legally notarized.
DeleteAs for other food, so what. I actually work and STILL qualify for EBT because I don't make enough.
Darn Hippies! Seriously though, as someone who really needed food stamps to eat (a long time ago) it is an essential governmental program, i.e. Feed the Hungry. Nonetheless, it is abused and monitored/enforced by the government(you can get change back and if you make enough purchases have money for smokes and wine). I think as long as the purchase has "nutritional" value, the feds won't get too involved with telling you how to spend it. Anyway, just another bleeding-heart liberal counterpoint!
ReplyDeleteMark
I hardly see this purchase as an abuse of services. you have no idea what he was going to do with this. perhaps he was having a rough day and this was a gift to himself or another person. if i was on food stamps i would certainly have to give the gift of good food. you don't really know what the circumstances are behind this. i have two good friends who are in food stamps and still care about their bodies. they want organic food just as much as anyone else.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree and see nothing wrong with anyone on food stamps buying HEALTHY food. Maybe they go to a food bank a few times a week to get things they don't have to buy with food stamps so they can spend a little extra to get something a little nicer!
DeleteBeats buying coke and Funny Bones
DeleteI take offense to this as a working mother of 5 who receives food stamps because there are no consequences for deadbeat dads who refuse to pay child support.I think I deserve just as much as anyone else to feed my family healthy foods...organic or otherwise.Do I think there are people that abuse the system? absolutely! But I also think the people like myself that really need the assistance often come across these attitudes that we are lazy or irresponsible ..which is not always the case!!!It is a broken system simple as that...if the fathers were forced to pay...less single moms would be forced to use these programs and endure the embarassment and ridicule heaped upon us.Americans should be embarassed that nothing more is being done to ensure fathers feed their children.Just MY rant
ReplyDeleteYou're only allowed to take offense if you're an early-twenties, single guy capable of employment, and if you're living on $4.00 drinks and chocolate bars. I'd never disparage a single mother trying to keep her family healthy.
ReplyDeleteHmm.Just because he was alone, you assume he is single? How do you know that? And good for that "young kid" making healthy choices. That's what's wrong with America, they think that you should only be able to afford crappy cheap food and end up paying more in medical expenses for the harm you're doing to your body. Which we end up paying for too.
DeleteWell said and very true! The truth is, someone's always going to be mad about something! Good job for the kids for eating healthy! He only gets a certain amount anyways, however he choses to spend it is his business!
Deletei don't think i've ever commented on a blog i stumbled across before, but i really can't NOT comment on this. please consider re-educating yourself on this issue. have you ever known anyone who volunteered to work for teach for america or americorps or any other kind of program that aims to improve the world but puts you below the poverty line? have you ever known someone who couldn't find employment in a disastrously poor economy like we're in currently? if so, i'd wager they were on food stamps. and they probably bought food sometimes that was far worse for their bodies than organic chocolate and kombucha. and that purchase was probably the highlight of their entire week.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThank you!
DeleteIt is so easy to abuse! I can't believe it!
ReplyDeleteI got foodstamps today under pressure from my mom (because I'm looking for work), and they practically handed the money over to me after a 3 minute conversation without any heavy questioning. The whole system definitely needs to be reformed and harder to get into.
So, I will be purchasing CSA organic produce boxes so at least I can funnel the money back into something that matters for my community and get to eat great at the same time.
I work at a high-end grocery store and see this all the time. It sickens me what people are allowed to buy, like $45 of gourmet cheese, CASES of Kombucha, $20 cuts of meat, loads of prepackaged meals (at $7.99 a piece)and $12 salads from the salad bar. Meanwhile, I am slaving away bagging their groceries so I can purchase some potatoes and banans to feed my family. I understand some people desperately need government assistance, and those that use it responsibly, I have no problem with. But, time and time again, I see people buy a bunch of crap on their food stamps cards, then whip out some cash to pay for that $20 bottle of wine they have. Wish I could live like that.
ReplyDeleteIf you're really struggling just tonferd your family potatoes and bananas, chances are you could get food stamps too and do the same. And you should of you can. Many of the people on food stamps are working still or have worked much of their lives and paid taxes for the services they're using as well. I see it more as using a service that we've already paid for instead of taking advantage of others tax dollars.
DeleteJennifer, I agree with you. I looked it up and it only costs the average American $36 a YEAR to fund this program. I am on food stamps and have frankly worked ever since I was 16 years old so if I need assistance to feed my family (HEALTHY) I can feed my family crap food but to keep my kids healthy I need a little more unfortunately because healthy whole foods are now more expensive than junk food, well then I'll get on assistance if need be. Because if people who are abusing it can use it to get ahead, then why can't an honest working parent or person utilize it to eat better and eventually get ahead in life? My plan is not to be on assistance my whole life. I am consistently progressing towards a better, more financially stable life thanks to programs like there,and soon, I can get off assistance COMPLETELY and my hard earned money can keep going towards programs that help Americans eat and get ahead in life!
DeleteYou can always quit your job and buy those items with the food stamps you will receive. Or, you can just be happy you are employed or pick up some side work as you at least have the capability to work.
DeleteEnvy is jealousy's ugly cousin and I heard it can give a person monkey pox.
Maybe that guy was a full-time student. What about all the single dads? How can people assume what someone is paying with. These new food stamp cards are treated just like debit or credit cards...nosey people. Where's the love?
ReplyDeleteI completely understand and agree that this system has to be a bit more strict. I hate to admit but one of my good friends is actually making it a goal to evolve into a complete leech off society. He and a few of his roommates are all able-bodied kids in their mid twenties coming from upper middle class families. All of which are college educated, and ALL of which on food stamps. I understand that it is a tough economy, but they are making a point of not even trying to find a job, and if they do work only 10-15 hrs a week. Its honestly really frustrating, and in my eyes incredibly lazy and selfish. I understand the need for the program and god forbid if it was too harsh to the point that it made families starve, but these kids are blatantly abusing the system and something should be done.
ReplyDeleteWell.. there is my rant.
I am a single mom on food stamps. I'm a self employed artist and my income has dropped 90% in the past couple of years. I could find a different job, but I would have to walk away from the business I have spent the last decade building. My son, who is disabled, would have no way of getting to the local Jr. College either. I just qualified for food assistance and they made me jump through so many hoops, being self employed, that it was unbelievable. I gave them the profit and loss statements that they requested and then had to simplify them because they were too complicated for SRS to understand. As of now I'm trying to ease into eating raw, which isn't easy to do on food assistance. There are two adults and one teenager who is here part time that I have to feed on $177/month. For Thanksgiving I did purchase a few items that some folks may have raised an eyebrow in judgment about thinking that they were luxury items (olives, artichoke hearts, etc). That was a choice that I made because we have much to give thanks for. That's okay though. I know the truth; and the truth is that now we are pantry and fridge challenged for the next few days until my benefits renew on the 11th of the month. I buy Angel Food boxes, I accept commodities from a friend who gives me what he doesn't use, and nothing around here goes to waste. My neighbors abuse the system - but that's their choice and problem. I know many many others who do not, and many more who need help and wouldn't dream of asking for it. The liars and cheaters will get what's coming to them eventually, and getting angry about them only pulls you down.
ReplyDeleteNow, if anyone knows where I can find information about how to gradually introduce raw foods on my limited food budget I'd be very grateful for the links!
Dear Raw Food Real People Person, your rant came up when I was doing a Google search trying to figure out if I could get a Kombucha with my food stamp card... It sort of struck a nerve!
ReplyDeleteDoes it seem to you as if people that are on food stamps should not pay attention to their health?
As someone that is currently transient and using food stamps, I have also worked in the social services for the past six years (and actually have three interviews coming up this week). Keeping this in mind, I feel strongly that it is a necessary and vital aspect of the food stamp program to allow consumers to make their own decisions about what they use their allowance for. The independence that this create is necessary to create a sense of dignity. Food pantries, shelters, and handouts may provide additional nourishment if necessary, but as someone that has been on both sides of the system, I feel that it is safe to say that at the end of the day, it means more to be able to choose to 'splurge' on an occasional dark chocolate bar or organic avocado than to have a massive quantity of groceries every week.
Beyond supplying nutrition, learning to budget with a food stamp card is a great way to learn to practice budgeting skills in the rest of life--quite important for persons that have been unemployed for periods of time.
As a last note, I feel that much of the judgment that comes up around food stamps and what low-income people should and should not be using them on hints at some much broader issues around privilege and entitlement--who society deems worthy and not worthy of having healthful, enriching lives.
Same here. I was looking up whether I could buy Kombucha with food stamps when this came up. I am an unemployed mom of 2 and I have celiac's disease and gluten free food is more expensive. I have seen eyebrows raised at my food stamp purchases. I don't care. No one thinks twice about a mother paying for Mac n cheese and other prepackaged disgusting junk that is barely food, but this bitch is mad about someone buying chocolate that actually is chocolate (providing antioxidants) and a drink that can literally heal an unhealthy gut? Get out of my country if you don't like how we feed our poverty stricken brethren here is what I say . I usually have a job, but shit happens and I haven't worked in 2 months. I feel zero guilt for allowing myself to buy healthy foods for my family and I. I will buy kombucha for me and I will buy good cuts of meat and organic fruits and veggies for my family and and if this jerk doesn't like that, then perhaps she should not be in others' business.
DeleteWell said! Thank you xo
Delete"Unknown', you are so right!
DeleteAs for you Ms. Raw....We (my husband and I) both have mental illness and are not able to work full time so we receive EBT (food stamps)...it is OUR choice what we want to spend that money on. I would rather be able to eat healthy here and there throughout the month than none at all, obviously we do not receive enough to splurge the entire month but how DARE anyone tell someone else how to eat? We deserve to be healthy too and that allows us to be able to do that by adding extra "income" to our food budget so that we can have organic produce, nice farm raised meats and eggs. Screw you Raw....for being such a pretentious bitch. What would you know about being needy? Just pray that you never are because when you're in line at that grocery store....you BEST BE EATING GROSS BOXED MACARONI AND CHEESE because someone like YOU WILL BE WATCHING AND POSTING! Give me s damned break. Get a friggin life!
Great comments
DeleteWow I'm always surprised we're still getting comments on this post so much later!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, in short, here's what I believe:
YES people on food stamps should pay attention to their health! But I don't believe this includes buying Kombucha or organic dark chocolate.
I do NOT believe anyone living off other people's money should have a broad choice about what they eat.
It makes me sick to see parents standing in the grocery store line buying complete crap food with food stamps.
I believe the government should have special centers for people on food stamps where they go to get rations of staples - rice, beans, fruits, veggies, etc. Or at least be very limited as to what they can buy at the grocery store.
I do NOT believe food stamp dollars should be going towards any sort of brand name processed or specialty foods, whether they are "health" foods or not.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteMany people on food stamps are working and/or have worked most of their lives, paying the same taxes everyone else does. So they pay for the service their using too...
Delete"I do NOT believe food stamp dollars should be going towards any sort of brand name processed or specialty foods, whether they are "health" foods or not"
DeletePray tell... What other foods do you think are available to buy at a grocery store? If a food is not a brand name and/or processed, then it IS a specialty item. Even organic produce is name brand or specialty. You think people on food stamps should not buy health food? You are a special kind of sick. I paid my taxes and I will damn well reep the benefits I now need. Times like these are why I never complained about paying MY taxes. People like you need to get out of this country. We take care of our own here and we don't police peoples' dinner tables. If you don't like it, then LEAVE!
It's bad enough EBT people can't buy hot food items, but now others want to play the role of Food Police?
DeleteAnd how do you know YOUR MONEY goes to those specific purchases? Maybe it was YOUR MONEY that bought Oreo cookies and Lay's potato chips or a number of other CORPORATE "foods" of which only SIX CORPORATIONS control the direct stream from their coffers to YOUR household?
Americans eat GARBAGE as it is. Eating and drinking healthy should be encouraged instead of castigated.
This is why most European nations pay higher taxes and do not complain, as they KNOW where their money goes as they are healthier in all aspects of life compared to ignorant Americans.
"special centers for people on food stamps where they go to get rations of staples"
DeleteWhere would those centers even be? Some poor people on food stamps don't have a car and could have no way to even get to wherever they put that.
This is ridiculous. The people who get these food stamps are tax payers as well. I was working 40 hours a week until I went on a leave of absence due to a broken foot and since my job (which is a grocery store) doesn't give me medical pay, I am on food stamps. I pretty much only eat vegetables, lentils, grains, etc. Is it so bad that I get myself a little treat every now and then? Yesterday I bought $100 worth of groceries on food stamps and did not get any snacks or cookies cause I am scared of the cashier judging me, but getting a little treat sometimes is okay. If the government had such an issue with it, they would have done something about it already. There are way worse things people do with their food stamps. I know someone very close to me that goes into the grocery store with a relative, the relative picks out the groceries they want, the person buys the groceries with the EBT card, and then the relative gives her cash in return. If you compare that to buying yourself a trendy drink and chocolate bar, it really isn't that bad.
ReplyDeleteIf only people understood the US Constitution. You do not have a RIGHT to food. There is No right to consume food or feed children any particular food and there is no generalized right to bodily and physical health.
ReplyDeletefood stamp.... ugh what to say. i work for a warhouse. sams club. i live in baltimore not the best area. i get mothers that buy cases of starbucks frapp drinks and cacses of redbujll that are 40 bucks a case. why would anyone on food stamps need to waste 40 bucks on an energy drink?? very bad for you. also i have had a woman getting 40 dollar lobster tails with her food stamps... but somehow she had money to buy a 260 dollar i pod. its really sickning to me. why would people try to find work if they are living better then the average working person. im sick and tired of living pay check to pay check while others get of living of my hard earned money. dont get me wrong some people do need stamps... but use them the way they r sopposed to be used. most deadbeats have children knowing the government will take care of them and thier children.
ReplyDeleteI have cured week long ailment with Kombucha. I think the comment you made sounds patronizing in calling it Trendy. Although some dispute the benefits of kombucha, which like all things is relevant to the consumer, i think the benefits of kombucha can be tremendous. I appreciate your frustration but your choice for a rant target seems curious since so many other much much worse "food" products are purchased with food stamps. Thanks for your thoughts,, Eric
ReplyDeleteSpeaking from El Paso, Texas. Another angle on food stamps: I object to funding the national epidemic of obesity. Yesterday I stood in line behind a 300 pound woman who bought soda pop, candy, doughnuts and 10 pounds of lunch meat with her food stamp card. Sorry, I don't think we're doing her a favor.....and us taxpayers are probably paying for her diabetes medicine as well. No one in this country should go hungry --- but there has to be a better way!
ReplyDeleteWOOOWWW how judgmental is that on OP?!! My man works 40 hours a week. i believe with the 25% tax cut on every check we are paying for our OWN "trendy" meat and "luxurious" chocolates. Although we still limit our wants, we have stacked vegetables, and non perishable vitamin+mineral enriched foods in our cabinets. and make sure our daughter has a full belly three times a day. Why don't you take those comments and do your statistic research before you go off calling people pretty much the scum of the earth. You think we ENJOY paying with this cheap plastic money? umm no. You say the government are giving us too much?? Why don't you do the research on what the price consists of, of living and thriving in this country. Then go research on how long it takes an average young adult to find even a burger flipping job. here i'll do it for you... 13-25 weeks, that's the average time it takes a young adult to find a job. as for school, look at the statistics for drop outs, and then wonder what stupid ass dumb ass crowds they were running with, and go see if all of those little thuglets dropped out too, my bet is yes. kids are growing up to be bastards and ungreatful pricks. This economy is going to collapse, and you "middle" class bigots are going to be busted down to the bottom with us. and don't be coming to our doors knocking because you wont get a blanket, not a damn thing. The poor are prepared for this collapse. why don't you quit being a troll and go prepare like we are. you'll be on strict food tamps, like you wanted them to be, and see if you don't dream of the awesome delicious foods that aren't on the EBT list.... BITCH!!!! delete this post if you like, maybe a few of our own will get a read on this one! We all need to draw together to fight this depression that is close to closing in on us!!! do your research PLEASE!
ReplyDeleteMy life fell apart, and i am not being hired by anyone. i still have to pay 650 in rent or live on the streets. with food stamps i would not change what i buy, or start buying unhealthy, gmo, preservative, soy/corn flavor derived, chemical laden, canola/palm oil, irradiated crappy prepackaged food with tons of factory farmed meats. for that i would not start buying meats. my monthly food budget comes in around 80-120 per month with enough stuff for myself to freeze for soups and "leftovers" when i am worn out. I would be that a-hole that buys my kombucha, now i don't know if i can buy GTs original but that is do due to our over-regulated government. I haven't drank soda in over 10 years. I am not currently on food stamps and this is the reason why: i feel like i can suffer because i don't want to be that a-hole who doesn't try to fit a "poor" person stereotype. yet by going after more education for a job i need help. should i not look to actually improve my life? Im in this mess because food jobs and non-profits keep me paycheck to paycheck and when one collapses... Now the degree i chose nearly half my life ago did nothing but teach me to look at life, i do not regret it but come on.
ReplyDeleteBesides random orange juice i drink my own (made with a blender and nut-milk bag, not some 500$ vitamix) or lemon water. lots of crappy filtered water with lemon. this is a raw blog. im sure you're on the bandwagon to make retirement out of it at some point. how did you not recognize the benefits of Kombucha. the is no comparison to GTs. poor people should not be relegated to the dollar menu. oh and yes if i can buy my chlorella and spirulina i will. sometimes those two in banana smoothies is all i need for the day. ($30+ dollars for at least 4 months, but i still have to buy it once and feel like the a-hole you want me to be. i don't care i ain't ODB)
I agree with other commenters here: there is no way to know how this person is budgeting to be able to fit some so called 'specialty' items into their budget. Maybe this guy (like me) writes down every expense, tallies his available money, and when he realizes that he has done a successful job saving and living on a budget for a month he give himself a treat. And since when is it acceptable to judge how a person looks to decide if they are deserving of aid? I can't stand that attitude. I doubt anyone would know that I'm on food stamps if they saw me walking down the street. This isn't because I am secretly rich or abusing the system, its because I take good and careful care of my appearance, my clothes, and the things I own. I don't have the money to go out to the movies, I don't have the resources to pay for TV, I don't have a smart phone, Ipod, or a lot of other expensive 'luxuries'. However, I love taking care of my body, I love eating healthily and I occasionally love drinking kombucha. I'm planning on buying one soon so I can actually grow my own scoby and start making my own (which by the way, is much cheaper). I make a lot of choices when I go to the grocery store, I buy bulk, I don't eat meat, I buy foods that are versatile and can be made to fit many nutritious menus. I don't appreciate being criticized by other people who don't know what I go through to make my diet possible. I would be blown away if you really couldn't afford an occasional bottled drink, you may choose to not budget for that kind of expense and I respect that, so respect me and how I choose to budget my minimal income and food stamp money so I can also live a happy healthy and satisfying life. Not everyone who is poor deserves to be punished for ending up that way, americorps volunteers, students, and happy families all are valid users of food stamps and I think you should get off your high horse and recognize that people don't only end up on food stamps because they aren't as smart, or talented, or hard working as you. Sometimes they end up there because that's just how things worked out for them. So let them buy the fucking drink and keep your small minded and uninformed opinions to yourself. Next time if you see someone buying an extravagant purchase of a $3 drink and a candy bar, think about giving up your morning coffee (which costs the same if not more) or your individually packaged yogurts (which are a rip off) or all of your meals at restaurants which people on food stamps don't have the resources to eat at.
ReplyDeleteRight on! You said it all!
DeleteYou stupid women...mind your own business and be happy that you have a job as most people on SNAP wish they did. You're job is a sales associate....not God....you have no idea about this said person you're judging.
ReplyDeleteI am also a single mother with a 3 month old baby. He has MANY food sensitivities therefore I have to be very careful what I eat. I do shop at Whole Foods, or Sprouts when I can't find the things I need at the "regular" grocery store that will help me maintain my iron and protein levels. I also buy dark chocolate (my son had dairy allergies) bars once in a while with my SNAP benefits. When I was on antibiotics for a dental infection I purchased Kombucha for the probiotics. If I know how to budget the small monthly stipend I get in order to make these purchases, who are you to judge?! The young man you were judging had every right to buy what he did. If I were you I would reevaluate my judgmental attitude, try and find out what is really at the root of my anger.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you judgmental ppl should say it in their/our face when we check out @ the cashier of how to spend or what to buy with what we gratefully have.. instead of running your mouths on here. let's see how many others in the line may say their opinions. or MAYBE you should stop complaing and grow some balls and apply for foodstamps yourself! Worse thing that can happen is getting rejected. its really none of your business. i've been looking for a job since 2012 and still no job so me and my bf been living on his paycheck to paycheck for years. we were struggling so I applied for foodstamps and now we are just making it! we buy cookies and what not, but we know that we're limited so we make shit last. atleast we get a cookie here and there. & guess what, if you were to say anything to anybody with foodstamps, they won't give a rats Ass about what you judgemental ppl have to say. we have our reasons and its for you to not worry about.
ReplyDeleteI can not even believe the how ridiculous this blog post is, let alone the judgmental and ill-educated comments people are making on this subject. I am a 30 year old man with a diagnosed medical condition, but to look at me you wouldn't think anything is wrong with me.
ReplyDeleteI am on food stamps because of my limited ability to work, and I too have felt the icy-cold glares of some check out staff, or other shoppers because: A. I am using foodstamps, and B. I am actually buying healthy food.
Everyone's situations are different, and it is none of YOUR business what I am buying with MY food benefits. Is it wrong for me to buy healthy foods because I go out of my way to plan what I am eating that week based on what is on sale? That is the only way I can make the $190.00 I get a month in SNAP actually last an entire month! Yet you are calling me a leach? Sorry but if the cheapest meat on sale in one store is wild caught shrimp, and then they have grass fed beef and free range eggs for sale in another store I buy those. Who are you to tell me what I am allowed to buy?
You all talk about how the system is "broken" and needs reform. I don't know what states you live in, but I have to provide copies of my bank statements, and proof of how much money I make when I do work, letters from my landlord pertaining to what my rent and bills are, as well as a rigorous questioning about what I spend what little money I do have on. I would hardly call that a broken system. I think what seems to irk most of you is that we all aren't living off processed cheese, bread, and tap water...you know because that's what leaches like us deserve right?
So many of you are uneducated about this topic, yet you spout your opinion like it's fact. You all think that there is a ton of food benefit abuse, and the FACTS show that is simply untrue. Food benefit fraud is at an all time low, because people actually NEED these benefits and will not risk lying to get them, because if you get caught you get kicked off.
It's just sickening, it sounds to me like a bunch of people who are jealous they don't get free food, so they look down upon those who do that don't have babies hanging off their hips, or a visible disability.
Sorry, but a single 20 something is a hell of a lot less of a drain on a program like this than a single mother with 5 kids. By the way, most states give food benefits to college students who are broke, which could have been this guy's situation. Or he could have a mother sick at home in bed with cancer who sent him out with her card to buy her something that would make her day a little more bearable.
The bottom line is, you don't know anyone's situation, and you shouldn't really go around judging others unless you want to be judged. You all sound like a bunch of ignorant losers who need to be educated on the facts. Considering the price of food, and the MAXIMUM amount of money a single person can get a month is less than $200.00 believe me, none of us are living "high on the hog". If anything maybe your EBT rant should be more about how people go out and buy nothing but junk food, are obese and sick because of it, and then have to get government healthcare. All I know is you sound like a judgmental wench and I hope someday I can walk through your check out line with kombucha, grassfed beef, organic vegetables, chocolate, caviar and champagne and then only pay for the champagne in cash...just so I could see the look on your idiot face.
Wow. The OP is a total nimrod. Really? You're going to judge someone for buying HEALTHY food? If you do not think low-income individuals "living off other people's money" do not deserve to have a broad range of food choices to eat, then you must be a close-minded bigot. The government steals taxes out of everyone's paycheck and spends the money on wars and busting down people's homes in the middle of the night for drug offenses. This is a healthy eating blog. People are going to buy healthy food choices on food stamps. I buy GT's kombucha and organic & fair trade chocolate bars all the time on my food stamps and when I was making the $200 amount maximum benefits, I never went over my limit.
ReplyDeleteYou can make MORE kombucha out of the SCOBY you get when you buy a store-bought kombucha. Maybe this kid was doing that? Maybe he is a college student who is not capable of working full time (because the minimum wage is $7.25 [or $3.12 an hour if they are a tipped worker] and rent is $500-600 etc., etc.) You cannot work part-time and still be able to afford rent, bills, food, and whatever else. I bought a new car at a young age. I guess you're going to judge me now because had a $300 car payment each month (along with $180 car insurance) and was still subsisting off of SNAP benefits? At least this kid buying health foods will help keep our government-forced healthcare costs low. You should really be angry at all the non-food items you can buy on SNAP (Doritos, Frito's, Cheetos are hardly foods). Dumbfuck.
I honestly don't think that it is so terrible to buy those things. He could be a single dad, or he could be physically disabled in ways you cannot see. On my lunch break, I walk across the street to harris teeter and get a drink and an apple and a bag of lentil chips and hummus for lunch using my ebt. It is something I would eat for lunch at home! I am a single mother, divorced, a full time student and work full time and I get WIC and food stamps. I am also only 21 and have a child who is 2. We both have celiac and are lactose intolerant. A lot of the foods we buy have to be certified gf and dairy free. People glare at me all the time and ask how i can spend so much on the food I get, when I can get cheap quick healthy non name brand foods. My answer always astounds them when I explain that even my make up has to be gluten free, and the non name brand foods contain so many things that could hurt me and my son for the rest of our lives. I do drink kombucha betcaise I need a lot of the nutrients in it to keep me afloat.
ReplyDeleteCan you buy Kombucha still with an EBT card because I think some Kombucha bottles are now classified as alcohol.
ReplyDeleteI bought two bottles of "Enlightened" Kombucha with my EBT card today, in San Diego County. No problemo. However, there are two types of K. now and the Classic ones are classified as alcoholic beverages (>0.5%), so I believe those may not be purchasable with EBT.
ReplyDeleteYou know I have been working ever since I was 15, I served 6 years in the military, got out and have had some good jobs since then. However I have developed some health issues over the years and have had multiple surgeries on both feet and may require another.... leaving me unable to work (at my doctor's recommendation) at only 40 years old.I have been approved for SSI benefits and EBT (food stamps). If I want to go into the store and buy healthy food, lobster tails, or a cart full of junk food... whose business is it but mine?
ReplyDeleteThe real deal is, people need to mind their damn business and worry about their lives. Believe me there are a great many things wrong and darker going on underneath your nosy noses, being done by the government and your beloved politicians than what someone is buying with their food stamps. I don't give a damn what a person is buying with their stamps as long as they are eating. It is so ridiculous to constantly yell out 'I am a taxpayer, I am a taxpayer' over what people purchase with their food stamps. MIND YOUR DAMN BUSINESS.... you'll live longer. Your tax payer money.... pffft, shut the hell up.
Judgmental bigotry looks ugly on anyone..."raw or real".
ReplyDeleteJust wow. Compassion and empathy is far healthier and beneficial. Maybe take a soc class or two... this post is extremely old, but it is still floating out here...just wow...
You sound like an over privilidged white girl. You don't worry about where your tax money goes until someone on food stamps gets a probiotic tea that literally has >.05% alcohol. Shut up and do your job.
ReplyDeleteOP sounds like the type of person who immediately asks to speak to the manager of any and every business she walks into...seriously shut the fuck up and worry about yourself and stop caring so much about what someone else does. So the kid wanted to use his EBT to enjoy some quality Kombucha guess what I'm about to do the same if I can get away with it. I also work and am using EBT yo help get on my feet because I was homeless months ago, but let me guess your ads voted for Trump and you probably think everyone under the age of 45 is leaching off the government. Right?
ReplyDeleteMaybe people on food stamps should live off rice and beans. Honestly poor people rarely get to take advantage of being in any extracurricular activities and are too broke to get out. If you' re that upset why didn't you ask the person why they are getting food stamps? What if that person couldn' t work because they are taking care of a disabled loved one like I am. I suggest you start worrying about the percentage of your taxes going to pay off debts instead of the 3 percent going to the needy.
ReplyDeletePoverty and hard times don't discriminate, regardless of how you got there. I've done everything to prepare for my future and avoid hard times including making "all the right choices": good grades (valedictorian), great school, great family (blessing) great jobs and career, avoiding destructive habits. But LIFE happens to everyone at some point. When you need help... you need help. I've seen people on EBT buy junk or buy organic. They receive hate either way. I saw it before I ever needed it. Never thought it would be me; I thought I was different. All I can say is... I hope you don't have to feel judged that way one day.
ReplyDelete"Probably early 20's, sorta hippie looking, 'able-bodied.'"
ReplyDeleteThe quote above is highly connotative.
But the words I focused on were "able-bodied." First off, that's an assumption. That person may have unseen physical ailments that inhibit them from working.
Second, people never ask if the person is "mentally-abled." Which is just as important than physically-abled, as if the brain doesn't function properly, the body can't either.
So you of course knew where this was headed when it started with the whole "ables bodied" and "my tax dollars" bit.
ReplyDeleteI am just so over that whole judgemental crap by people who think they get to police others because they think they know better than that person they know nothing about how to run thermir life.
First in most places you can't even purchase kambucha with SNAP because the alchol content which is small prevents it for most brands. So if it went through it was a brand that was basically all probiotic.
But since you want to be nosey about why someone would buy that thing. First yes they may be buying itsimply ecause it is a healthy beverage they like the taste of, which gtf what that is avlaid enough reason. But guess what else that "abled bodied" looking person could be like me, they could have multiple invisible disabilities that a judgy person that doesn't know me wouldn't realize. Between dump syndrome, autoimmune diseases, gastrointestinal problems, and cancer, and all the medications I take guess what buying that "yuppy trendy" drink does. Itlittearly keeps me from crapping my pants uncontrollably by helping to regulate my gut health. Like everything healthy for you it is pricy but it works. Which is exactly what SNAP is dor is to help supplement those type of costs.
And yeah I get those looks everytime I buy a candy bar as well by such judgy a$$hats to. First everyone deserves a treat every once in a while. But beyond that you don't know a person's situation. Like how I am diabetic and in fact have to keep a chocolate bar or sugary soda on hand in case my sugar drops. It isn't an indulgence it is a medical necessity that I keep these things on hand. But yes tell me how I am mismanaging your tax dollars by buying it.
But oh yeah wait, I must have missed the memo about how I wasn't supposed to be paying taxes also in which I wasn't paying for your kids to go to school when I have none, or one of the hundreds of other programs my taxes go to for your use that I don't need. But lord forbid I a person use or need a program like SNAP, that my litteral tax dollars also pay for also simply because you have had the privalage not to need it.
Enogh of the judgemental bs already poor people pay taxes to, poor people that get snap in most cases are in fact working, someone being poor is not an excuse for you to get to decide if they can't have an occasional indulgence, and you sure as heck don't know everything about their lives and what they may or may not actually need if you are not their direct caregiver.