Farm Bill, Food Stamps and SNAP (part 3) | The Food Party! | Laura Stec | Mountain View Online |

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By Laura Stec

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About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and en...  (More)

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Farm Bill, Food Stamps and SNAP (part 3)

Uploaded: Feb 24, 2023

Where do most Farm Bill allocations go? Approximately 76% of monies fund the Nutrition Title, which includes programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), formally known as food stamps. Note: the Farm Bill does NOT fund the National Schools Lunch Program.


- Courtesy of Congressional Research Service

Food stamps were first introduced in the U.S. near the end of the Depression. Distribution stopped in 1943 as WW II eliminated agricultural surplus and mass unemployment. They restarted in 1961 during the JF Kennedy administration. (pg. 50-56)


- courtesy of the National Museum of American History

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports “SNAP household income generally must be at or below 130 percent of the poverty line.” For three people that’s a monthly income of $2,495 or less ($29,940 annually). Households may have $2,750 in countable resources (such as cash or money in a bank account) or $4,250 in countable resources if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older or is disabled.

In most states, the maximum monthly benefit is $281 for one person and $939 for a family of four. Amounts are updated annually.

SNAP CAN buy:
• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Breads and cereals
• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants that produce food

Snacks include cakes, pies, doughnuts, muffins, pastries, chips, crisps, popcorn, ice cream, candy, chocolate, custard, scones, churros, some energy drinks and much more.

SNAP CANNOT buy:
• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements.
• Most live animals
• Hot foods at the point of sale
• Nonfood items

One of the biggest challenges of the Farm Bill is to strike balance between a nutritional safety net for those in need and support for Americas farmers. Unfortunately, the system is failing. It has grown into a “get-big-or-get-out” agricultural model, (pg. 45) mostly benefiting mega-farms that overgrow wheat, corn and soy. End results make animal meats and junk food artificially cheap, Americans overeating foods that make us unwell and obese, and small farms outta' the picture. One would assume many Americans who live paycheck to paycheck (that’s 60% of us) stock their kitchens with this crap because it’s cheap calories that are filling. The American Institute of Cancer reports approximately 60% of Standard American Diet (SAD) calories come from these “affordable” ultra-processed foods propped up by the Farm Bill / our tax dollars.


- courtesy American Institute of Cancer

Food Fight writes that the longer an adult remains on SNAP, the greater their dependency on the program and the higher the chance they will become overweight and obese. Should SNAP benefits then be dis-allowed for snack and sugar-sweetened beverages? Some argue any elimination would be a “assault on personal dignity.”(pg 55)

Sigh.

I’ve been teaching people about healthy eating for over 30 years. Few have a firm command of how to eat a healthy, delicious diet, and confusing them more with lousy food handouts doesn't help. Americans average 2.7 servings of fruit and vegetables daily, while we need about 13 servings. Only 1 in 10 adults in the United States eat enough fruits and vegetables.

Subsidizing foods good for our health rather than bad, and teaching people how to use these foods (must add into the American populace) is no assault on personal dignity; it is a lifeline out of a lifetime of inflammation, pain, digestive problems, depression, obesity, metabolic disease and diabetes. No one is being "fed" by this food.

Something needs to change.


- Courtesy of Food Fight

This is post #3 from the Food Party! book review of Food Fight – A Citizens Guide to the Next Food and Farm Bill, by Dan Imhoff. Follow the discussion here:

1. Farm Bill. Not Sexy. Really Matters

2. Free Market Farm Bill or Farse?










Democracy.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by Mike Florey, a resident of Old Palo Alto,
on Feb 24, 2023 at 3:12 pm

Mike Florey is a registered user.

Why don't 3rd world countries issue food stamps to their starving populations as well?

Relying on UNICEF and various ministries to resolve the global hunger crisis is merely passing the buck.


Posted by Jennifer, a resident of another community,
on Feb 24, 2023 at 5:24 pm

Jennifer is a registered user.

Many states (including California) have no asset restriction on SNAP, which means there are people on SNAP who shouldn't qualify. If you lose your job, have no income (temporarily) and have $50-$75K in the bank, you shouldn't be eligible. As a taxpayer, I'm tired of this. There are food banks and many churches that have food pantries where free food is available.

The longer you're on SNAP the greater the dependency. Sugary and snack foods shouldn't be allowed.

Eating healthy is expensive, but you can eat healthy for free by picking up fruits and vegetables at a food bank or food pantry. Lots of other healthy options as well.


Posted by Vicente Morales, a resident of Mountain View,
on Feb 25, 2023 at 7:48 am

Vicente Morales is a registered user.

It should be noted that SNAP is also accepted at various participating restaurants like Burger King, Subway, and Pollo Loco.

This is a very convenient option and it should be extended to other outlets like Taco Bell and Domino's Pizza.

No one in America should go hungry.


Posted by Lateisha Jackson, a resident of East Palo Alto,
on Feb 25, 2023 at 9:21 am

Lateisha Jackson is a registered user.

According to current statistics, the average monthly grocery bill for one person in America ranges from $200.00 to $350.00 per month depending upon appetite and choice of grocery items.

SNAP benefits for one person is $219.00 monthly but that figure is pro-rated based on other income including employment and Social Security benefits.

The maximum annual income level for receiving full SNAP benefits as a single adult is roughly $15K.

Though SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is designed to supplement one's grocery expenditures, it is often relied upon as a sole source for purchasing food.

For those decrying the SNAP program or cavalierly suggesting food bank alternatives, try living on less than $15,000 per year and then we will talk.


Posted by Jennifer, a resident of another community,
on Feb 25, 2023 at 10:09 am

Jennifer is a registered user.

The maximum income for a single adult is $2,266 per month, or $27,192 annually, effective until Oct. 2023. When volunteering at church food pantries a lot of the people are on SNAP and they visit several food pantries a month.

I'm not decrying the SNAP program in general. I think there should be an asset level which is the way it used to be, and still is in many states. If you have more than enough money in the bank to purchase food - you should buy your own food. It's common sense.


Posted by Yasmine Guitron, a resident of another community,
on Feb 25, 2023 at 11:44 am

Yasmine Guitron is a registered user.

@Jennifer...try living on $2,266.00 per month (before taxes) while dealing with escalating rents, childcare, and other household expenditures.

SNAP benefits are essential for basic survival.


Posted by Jennifer, a resident of another community,
on Feb 25, 2023 at 12:04 pm

Jennifer is a registered user.

I'm not debating income level. I think the income level in California should be higher due to the cost of living. I'm debating asset levels, which there are none. If you have assets that could easily pay for your own food, and you're on SNAP, you're costing the taxpayers.

I lived below the poverty level as a college student in Los Angeles a long time ago. I know what it's like.


Posted by Marion Jordan, a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis,
on Feb 25, 2023 at 12:08 pm

Marion Jordan is a registered user.

"I lived below the poverty level as a college student in Los Angeles a long time ago. I know what it's like."

Me too & I applied for food stamps while attending UC Berkeley.

Do you have a problem with college students applying for SNAP benefits as well?


Posted by Quentin Roberts, a resident of Woodside,
on Feb 25, 2023 at 12:21 pm

Quentin Roberts is a registered user.

@Jennifer

I reside in an artisan commune of roughly 12-14 conventionally unemployed people and one of the prerequisites for acceptance is that prospective members either apply for or have current SNAP benefits to serve the collective commissary.

Since we are all vegans, $200.00 per person/per month adequately covers our food needs as we also have a vegetable garden.

Since none of us have any money in the bank, I am assuming that you do not have any objections to our arrangement.


Posted by Laura Stec, a Mountain View Online blogger,
on Feb 25, 2023 at 12:32 pm

Laura Stec is a registered user.

Readers, please remember this blog is not a general look at whether SNAP is good or bad for people, it's about what FOOD SNAP pays for. Keep the discussion around that angle, or write your own piece for discussion with a different angle and publish it online.

My argument is if we subsidize food for those in need, let's make it healthy so we indeed "support," don't make the issues worse, and don't have to pay later for health care and environmental costs associated with a society sickened by it's own "support." Let's support the food system that we WANT to build. Let's offer lasting support to people and not just a band aid to Big Ag. Hint: Let's change what Big Ag grows.


Posted by Food For Thought, a resident of Greendell/Walnut Grove,
on Feb 25, 2023 at 1:15 pm

Food For Thought is a registered user.

SNAP CAN buy:
• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Breads and cereals
• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants that produce food

SNAP CANNOT buy:
• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements.
• Most live animals
• Hot foods at the point of sale
• Nonfood items

The bottom line is that taxable items are not covered by SNAP...simple as that.

It is not for us to tell others how to eat sensibly.

Since 40% of the American population is already obese (with or without SNAP benefits), we can assume that the majority of them don't care about their health or appearance.


Posted by Jack Lewis, a resident of Menlo Park,
on Feb 25, 2023 at 4:45 pm

Jack Lewis is a registered user.

"...is if we subside [sic] food for those in need, let's make it healthy,"

Excellent point...as taxpayers, we need to continue subsidizing the SNAP program for those in need but proper nutrition and sound food choices should be key considerations among those enrolled in the program.

Regardless of whether one is a carnivore, omnivore, or vegetarian, no one ever got obese eating healthy foods.

It's the junk food with empty calories and minimal nutritional values that are causing obesity...that and a lack of self-control among the afflicted.

The tiresome "I have big bones" and/or "I have a slow metabolism" are not valid excuses.


Posted by Robert Graham, a resident of Los Altos Hills,
on Feb 25, 2023 at 6:42 pm

Robert Graham is a registered user.

It will be very difficult to alter poor eating habits.

Some nutritionists have mentioned that America is overfed but undernourished.


Posted by Cecelia Moreno, a resident of Mountain View,
on Feb 26, 2023 at 7:54 am

Cecelia Moreno is a registered user.

If nutrition & proper eating habits are the key focal points, the solution is simple...the SNAP program should encourage recipients to take multi-vitamins on a daily basis.


Posted by Juanita Gomez, a resident of Mountain View,
on Feb 26, 2023 at 12:43 pm

Juanita Gomez is a registered user.

The SNAP program tries to encourage its recipients to eat healthy. There are posters on the wall in the Social Services offices and enclosures with mailed correspondences.

Now whether anyone is paying attention to these advisements remains to be seen.

Being of Mexican-American heritage, we eat a lot of rice and beans + smaller portions of beef, chicken, and pork than most average Americans.

The monthly SNAP allotment is more than adequate (for us) but for others who opt for processed foods, it is easy to understand how SNAP benefits are often insufficient to meet their monthly food necessities.


Posted by Li Zhao, a resident of another community,
on Feb 26, 2023 at 1:35 pm

Li Zhao is a registered user.

> SNAP benefits for one person is $219.00 monthly..."

Our family of four could easily eat on $219.00 a month because we consume very little meat and no junk food.

Vegetables, rice, and tofu make up the bulk of our dining necessities.

It is no wonder that 40% of Americans are obese.


Posted by Reggie Banks, a resident of another community,
on Feb 26, 2023 at 2:06 pm

Reggie Banks is a registered user.

The COVID SNAP extensions will be ending this month and the aftermath will result in a larger strain on community food banks.

The community food banks provide fresh fruit and vegetables + frozen chicken to the needy. They do not provide items like junk/snack foods.

Hunger will continue to be a pressing problem for minimal income families.

Hopefully the Department of Agriculture and President Biden will re-enact the emergency SNAP food extensions but the chances look very slim.


Posted by Bruce Gault, a resident of Menlo Park,
on Feb 27, 2023 at 7:06 am

Bruce Gault is a registered user.

Speaking of healthy eating, shouldn't purchases of high-sodium foods like canned soup and frozen dinners also be restricted by SNAP nutritional guidelines?

BTW, food stamps have been replaced by EBT (electronic balance transfer) cards.


Posted by Frederick Willis, a resident of Downtown North,
on Feb 28, 2023 at 7:10 am

Frederick Willis is a registered user.

SNAP CAN buy:
• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Breads and cereals
• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants that produce food

^ I don't think too many people receiving SNAP benefits grow their own vegetables and fruit from seeds.

The snack food and non-alcoholic beverage provision is questionable but it should remain on the books lest the program becomes a nutritional food police.


Posted by Livia Delgado, a resident of Mountain View,
on Feb 28, 2023 at 8:18 am

Livia Delgado is a registered user.

"I don't think too many people receiving SNAP benefits grow their own vegetables and fruit from seeds."

It takes too much time and water to grow certain types of vegetables by seed and many of them are cheaper to buy at a grocery store.

I have read that laboratory-created meat will someday be available for the masses and this scientific development will be a positive step for the environment as there will be a reduced demand for grazing land and water resources.

This in turn will create more available space for future housing developments, new shopping centers, and office/medical buildings throughout California.


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