Food Stamps & Junk food!

Ginger - posted on 07/01/2011

One thing way too many people fail to understand is that even though Food stamps is technically 'free' food it is not an unlimited supply.

I have been there done that and it's NOT fun! Nor is it unlimited. The amount received is different for each family based upon size and amount of any other income earned. Now take my family for instance, in an area where coupons are scarce and prices are high: the amount received equals out to a little over 150 a month to buy breakfast lunch and dinner.... Which means about $5.30 per day. Most of you spend that on one meal at McDonalds. So now you consider that people take fresh fruits and vegetables and charge out the A for that... one cucumber sells for 99 cents here, bread is between 2 and 6 dollars...depending on whether you want to eat crap or something that tastes great and is great for you....bacon and eggs are also expensive... Sometimes a Mom is forced to consider this? Do I feed my child one really good meal this week or do I feed him something everyday so his tummy is not empty and pray like heck that things get better soon?

Considering that I myself had gone to bed hungry MANY many times so that my kids didnt? I think it's pretty damned petty to be so judgmental on everyone who uses stamps.

Not everyone that is on stamps are druggies, lazy, alcoholics.... Some have fallen on really hard times and need the help which is embarrassing enough..... I know many a time I hid my card as I swiped it.

It's very easy to say if they didn't buy this they could get that. If they managed this better they wouldnt be going through that. Yeah it's so easy to judge harshly when you don't have the same problem.

I walk into a store knowing exactly to the penny how much I can spend with calculator in hand and pad to jot it all down. I go through each aisle and figure out what I can afford... My meal plans are many times shot out the door because stores decide to hike up the prices that week on what I had planned on. And let me tell you...every. single. time..I eye the glorious foods and my heart clenches because I would much rather buy lean meats, fresh vegies, and fruits for my kids than stupid danged hotdogs poptarts and chips to go with their sandwiches instead of fresh potatoes fries.

But I also bet that I have one upped you...for even though I used stamps I learned to do with what I could and had and now have a small garden. So get mad at me now because I truly DO get FREE food. I create it. And my kids now eat super fresh just picked corn, beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, okra, eggplant, figs, watermelon and canteloup. I also grow my own herbs now too.... who needs coupons when you 'own' your own store?.... SO instead of looking down on everyone who uses and needs food stamps I smile at them, in understanding. I point out where the great buys are... and I let them get in line before me at the store...because I know in my heart Im not the only Mom that gets done shopping and then cries on the way home because 'today' just wasnt the day that things got better.

Ginger - posted on 07/01/2011

One thing way too many people fail to understand is that even though Food stamps is technically 'free' food it is not an unlimited supply.

I have been there done that and it's NOT fun! Nor is it unlimited. The amount received is different for each family based upon size and amount of any other income earned. Now take my family for instance, in an area where coupons are scarce and prices are high: the amount received equals out to a little over 150 a month to buy breakfast lunch and dinner.... Which means about $5.30 per day. Most of you spend that on one meal at McDonalds. So now you consider that people take fresh fruits and vegetables and charge out the A for that... one cucumber sells for 99 cents here, bread is between 2 and 6 dollars...depending on whether you want to eat crap or something that tastes great and is great for you....bacon and eggs are also expensive... Sometimes a Mom is forced to consider this? Do I feed my child one really good meal this week or do I feed him something everyday so his tummy is not empty and pray like heck that things get better soon?

Considering that I myself had gone to bed hungry MANY many times so that my kids didnt? I think it's pretty damned petty to be so judgmental on everyone who uses stamps.

Not everyone that is on stamps are druggies, lazy, alcoholics.... Some have fallen on really hard times and need the help which is embarrassing enough..... I know many a time I hid my card as I swiped it.

It's very easy to say if they didn't buy this they could get that. If they managed this better they wouldnt be going through that. Yeah it's so easy to judge harshly when you don't have the same problem.

I walk into a store knowing exactly to the penny how much I can spend with calculator in hand and pad to jot it all down. I go through each aisle and figure out what I can afford... My meal plans are many times shot out the door because stores decide to hike up the prices that week on what I had planned on. And let me tell you...every. single. time..I eye the glorious foods and my heart clenches because I would much rather buy lean meats, fresh vegies, and fruits for my kids than stupid danged hotdogs poptarts and chips to go with their sandwiches instead of fresh potatoes fries.

But I also bet that I have one upped you...for even though I used stamps I learned to do with what I could and had and now have a small garden. So get mad at me now because I truly DO get FREE food. I create it. And my kids now eat super fresh just picked corn, beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, okra, eggplant, figs, watermelon and canteloup. I also grow my own herbs now too.... who needs coupons when you 'own' your own store?.... SO instead of looking down on everyone who uses and needs food stamps I smile at them, in understanding. I point out where the great buys are... and I let them get in line before me at the store...because I know in my heart Im not the only Mom that gets done shopping and then cries on the way home because 'today' just wasnt the day that things got better.

Jodi - posted on 12/15/2010

No, but that is the problem. People who are on food stamps probably SHOULD receive some free education about these things. Learning how to read labels, and knowing how to cook are two BIG pluses in eating more healthily and cheaper.

Julianne - posted on 12/15/2010

It is still a common misconception that this food is cheaper because you get "more for your dollar" just because you know the difference, doesn't mean the majority of society does.

Jodi - posted on 12/15/2010

"I was referring to: pizza pockets,pops, pastries, pop tarts, chips, candy, bars, stuff like that. Take out, I dont even consider that food... its pure poison. "



That stuff is generally expensive here too.....I don't usually buy anything like that :) Unless I'm desperate. Fresh is still cheaper.

Jodi - posted on 12/15/2010

"yes it still is Jodi because a loaf of white bread the giant loaf is .99. The organic 4 grain I buy you get a half the size and it is $3.49 and loaf and that will only last us half the week. If my husband gets the giant white it will last us a little over a week"

Not here it's not.....

Bianca - posted on 12/14/2010

i also am using gov. assist. i think that since there is no regulation as to whats foods we get it shouldnt be anyones concern. maybe she shouldnt have a buggy full of junk but if thats how she choses to spend her money so be it....i would probably get some junk food as so would the next person.....but i personally wouldnt buy just junk...but then you dont know what else she purchased at a previous date.....

Good Day! - posted on 12/14/2010

I'm with those that never enter the grocery store without a fist full of coupons, a detailed list, and my calculator. =) I've really seen a big improvement in my grocery bills by being a little more prepared.

Stifler's - posted on 12/14/2010

They are always on special too at either supermarket. Like instead of 42 a box they're 32 or 39 a lot of the time. I should get smart and buy 2 boxes but I never think of it at the time. Also, you use so many less Huggies than other brands that it's worth the little bit extra they cost.

Nikkole - posted on 12/14/2010

Yea i use the coupons to and on wipes and baby food :) some people get mad because i have a ton of coupons at the check out lmbo

Julianne - posted on 12/14/2010

Lol, I'm the same way when i go for groceries. I'm adding up all the prices in the store. I can't go over my budget at all or I'm screwed for something else i need to pay for. Diapers is one thing i need to buy the expensive brand. huggies are the best. Ive tried to cut corners on them but you can't get cheap good quality diapers. Good thing is you can get monthly coupons from the website. usually a dollar or a dollar fifty off..

Nikkole - posted on 12/14/2010

yea i tried some called parents choice and they game my kids bad rashes so we had to switch but loves brand is a little cheaper than huggies so we use those for my daughter!

Stifler's - posted on 12/14/2010

every time i've tried to save money i'ts backfired. like buying woolworths brand nappies instead of huggies. it wasn't worth the emotional distress of changing every hour and still getting a rash.

Nikkole - posted on 12/14/2010

yea i just cant believe how much things cost im like i could have used that money on something else lol

Stifler's - posted on 12/14/2010

i just think though, if i spend that much it will be cheap next week and the week after so i don't mind too much but i hate the drop in bank balance :(

Nikkole - posted on 12/14/2010

Yea im usually the person in the store with a calculator and a pen to mark off my list of groceries lol But im ALWAYS right when i get to the register so i wont be to horrified i mean there has been times when ive gotten up there and not added things up and there like well your total is $300 and my smile just drops lol

Stifler's - posted on 12/14/2010

i like loading up the trolley with stuff but i hate it when it's "that will be 269.95 thanks!"

Nikkole - posted on 12/14/2010

lol yea i get in trouble sometimes if i go to super stores that have everything because i see things for the kids :) but i always make meal plans for the whole week so i can just go in and grab!! But i cant get food stamps because we live with my mom right now and they count her income,which is STUPID because i pay rent,our own bills,a few utilities,and we cook and buy our own food! And we spend a lot at the grocery every week i wish we could get some help my husband works full time and goes to school and i make things and sell them! We are moving out next January so hopefully we can get help then!!

Julianne - posted on 12/14/2010

I love going grocery shopping, i just hate paying!!

Nikkole - posted on 12/14/2010

I think food in general is too expensive i HATE going to the grocery!

Teresa - posted on 12/14/2010

Our cheapest bread is about $4....... The one I buy (100% whole wheat) is $5 something on sale..... Except when I make it out to Costco. They have bigger loaves and I can get 2 for $6-7. ;)

Julianne - posted on 12/14/2010

I was referring to: pizza pockets,pops, pastries, pop tarts, chips, candy, bars, stuff like that. Take out, I dont even consider that food... its pure poison.

3.49$ for a bun of bread......wow when i splurge on the sprouted organic bread its 6.99$ That only happens...well i bought one this year. I don't eat a lot of bread. Now rice cakes. I eat a pack in a week. The organic ones are only 2$

Sherri - posted on 12/14/2010

I am not sure anyone was even talking about junk food from a fast food restaurant of course that is more expensive.

yes it still is Jodi because a loaf of white bread the giant loaf is .99. The organic 4 grain I buy you get a half the size and it is $3.49 and loaf and that will only last us half the week. If my husband gets the giant white it will last us a little over a week.

Jodi - posted on 12/14/2010

Julianne, in this country, I find junk more expensive anyway. Fresh food and making your own is MUCH cheaper. If I feed my family a quick junk food meal (which is very rare) it is expensive. It can be $50+ for KFC (remember, teenage boys). I could feed the family for 2 full days on what I spend there for one meal. I can't understand the arguments about junk food being cheaper.



Sure, I get that white bread is cheaper than whole grain, but you need twice as much to fill you up AND it burns quicker so you get hungrier sooner, so is it really cheaper?

Sherri - posted on 12/14/2010

I wonder why Hannafords doesn't have a reduced section. I know Stop N Shop and Market Basket do but not Hannafords. I used to save a ton on veggies and fruit that way if I knew they would be used within a day or two.

Julianne - posted on 12/14/2010

I make sure gabby eats whenever she feels like it, healthy snacks make it so she doesn't need to eat as much. The healthier the meal, the less of it you eat because your body gets more nutrients from it so you don't need as much to satisfy yourself.We do eat like 4-6 times a day, small frequent meals are best for your digestive system. Its actually cheaper to eat healthy, most people think otherwise. Junk food is a waste of money. I'm on a very fixed income, and need to make every dollar stretch. Cheep doesn't mean junk, you just be very cautious about the food you do buy, like, buying in season, and getting reduced items. When you go to the grocery store at night, a lot of the produce is reduced. Just after the trucks come in too, its cheaper when they have a lot in.Stalking up on things when they go on sale. I stalk up on harvest season then make preserves and meals to freeze.

Teresa - posted on 12/14/2010

I couldn't do no snacks in this house. The girls (4th grade) don't usually want much for breakfast. They eat a morning snack at school most of the time. I'm not sure how much lunch they eat, but there are days that they start eating as soon as we get home from school (2:30ish) and they literally don't stop til I make them (7-7:30ish) to have enough time to get ready for bed. ;)

Barb - posted on 12/14/2010

I am so sorry, i forgot some things when i posted that amount.

We don't buy store meat or eggs. My MIL and her husband raise grass fed Angus beef cattle and they give us a butchered beef every year. I'm sure that saves me probably $2000 a year on groceries.

Another thing i left out was we buy eggs, chickens and honey from an Amish family that lives down the road. I'm sorry, i totally forgot about them and to add them into the grocery budget.

Also, that is just for me and Doug, when we had the kids living here our grocery budget was much much more and probably closer to 200 a week.
Jr alone was an eating machine. He didn't get to be 6' 7" and 180 on bread and water. I don't know how many times we would run into an old friend and they would look at Jr and say "oh my gawd! what are you FEEDING him?!" lol I would just answer "everything"

Jodi is right, several small meals or snacks throughout the day are better for ones body and mind. One study even suggests a teaspoon of honey before bed for adults to keep your liver fed through the long night while you sleep. http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/hiberna...

When i was working, we started at 7 am, break at 10, lunch at noon, break at 2, done at 3:30, supper at 5:30/6 snack at 8 and in bed around 9.
If companies do this to make workers more productive, than it would make sense for schools to do it as well for students to be more productive.

Nutrition is key though, to me a snack is 12 almonds, or a carrot chipped up, or some steamed edamames with some cayenne pepper on them, mm mm MM. It's about maintaining a balance of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that my body needs in order to function.
Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food ~ Hippocrates

Like on the thread about bladder control and the advice to take pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds = magnesium, not enjoyment and a treat. (although i tend to think they are pretty good and a tasty medicine as far as medicines go)

So if i think of food in this way, as a medicine or as a refuel for nutrients that my body has used or lost, then if i purchased foods that are bereft of nutrition, i am just be throwing my money away

Sherri - posted on 12/14/2010

Yes not morning snack as they have lunch by 11am but they do get an afternoon snack around 3pm. However, their parents supply all food for them.

Jodi - posted on 12/13/2010

Sherri, both schools. In my daughter's school K-6, they start at 9am (8:50am assembly then to class), have a 10am fruit break, 11am lunch, 1:30pm recess and 3pm finish.



At my son's school (Year 7-12), they start at 8:40am, have recess at 10:40am, lunch at 1:15pm then finish at 3:10pm (they don't have the extra break).



Studies have shown that children actually learn better by getting the breaks AND by allowing them a snack more frequently because it helps stimulate the brain.



@ Kylie, when I was at school we had two recesses as well as lunch break too, but school didn't finish until 3:30. Here, instead of that extra 1/2 hour, they cut one break and have also shortened lunch hour to 40 minutes.



So Sherri, with your daycare kids, do you give them snacks during the day? Or do they only get something at mealtimes too? Personally I think the time between mealtimes is too long to wait. Also, if you ask any dietician or nutritionist, snacks through the day is FAR healthier for our bodies than just sticking to 3 meals a day. It is a very important part of minimising obesity and stimulating weight loss (it stops the body from going into starvation mode), and is also important in balancing your blood sugar. It surprises me that even your schools are not recognising the health benefits AND the educational benefits of small breaks in which to have healthy snacks.

Sherri - posted on 12/13/2010

Wow I never had snack time in school beginning in elementary school. We got lunch and recess in elementary and then just lunch in middle and high school.

Stifler's - posted on 12/13/2010

me too we had morning tea at 1030 then lunch at 1 or something and a break between the middle classes where i guess there was time to eat something if you wanted to. the periods at school are so short lol ours were only 70 minutes it was a rude shock going to uni and having 3 hour lectures and 2 hour tutorials!!

Kylie - posted on 12/13/2010

No recess? I got morning and afternoon tea breaks at school all the way up to year 12

Sherri - posted on 12/13/2010

In what grades? In elementary school they did now that my oldest is almost in high school no. Once kids get to middle school they don't get snack time and don't get recess anymore either. They get lunch and that is all. No my kids school does not supply snacks and yes they go all day with just lunch.

Jodi - posted on 12/13/2010

In our schools, we have to send snacks. My kids get fruit break in the morning, then lunch, then afternoon recess. Do your schools supply the snacks? Or do they go ALL day at school with only lunch? IMO THAT would be inappropriate and not really an ideal learning environment.

Sherri - posted on 12/13/2010

Nope never. An occasional snack before bed is it. Remember the older two are in school all day so no snacks for them and they don't get home till 4pm either and we have dinner by 5ish.

Jodi - posted on 12/13/2010

You don't do snacks? My kids have morning and afternoon tea. Usually fruit, cheese and crackers, yoghurt, or something like that. I feel theat eating regularly is actually important for their health, and also very important for their concentration because it keeps their blood sugar even throughout the day.

Good Day! - posted on 12/13/2010

I agree with the planning...it's a must if you want a low grocery budget.

Sherri - posted on 12/13/2010

Well we go without a lot. Are my kids going hungry no. But we have to be very creative to make what we do get lasts. The kids don't get extras. They get three meals a day. They definitely don't get to snack whenever they want it is certainly done by portion controls and planned out meals every single day. I can't ever have their friends over for dinner or hostess very often. We barely eek by every month. So it may seem fantastic but it truly is an amazing amount of effort and planning.

Good Day! - posted on 12/13/2010

Sherri, $600 for 5 people is fantastic! We spend between $250 - $350 for three and a half people. But that includes diapers, cleaning products, and personal care items...so I'm pretty happy with that. I follow a blog that gives tips on grocery deals and stuff, but I can't seem to get as low as some of those people.

Julianne, what type of homemade sweets do you make? I don't buy sweets either, but I love to eat them when I have a chance...at other people's houses...lol!

Sherri - posted on 12/13/2010

Yeah I spend on avg. at least $600 a month on groceries. However, we eat 90% organic (except hubby, still working on that one 40yrs of bad habits is hard to break) The kids and I have no junk in the house except for the occasional ice cream that I allow in about every other month. That is great Julianne that you can do that I am trying to feed a family of 5. We also go through milk like water and a half gallon of organic milk is $3.48 alone. I go through at least 6 a week. I don't eat red meat but we go through loads of chicken and pork.

Julianne - posted on 12/12/2010

I'm a bargain queen, even when it comes to food. I don't eat milk cheese or meat products so that saves me a lot of money right there. Its a hell of a lot cheaper to be a vegan. Bread i make at home so it only costs me .25cents a loaf because

I'm not paying for the baking process, that way i know everything that's in it too. I make my own spreads, like hummus and jams. I don't buy treats either, i make them at home so i can make healthy ones and i can insure that no animal bi-products get into it. Its just for two people too.

Shannen - posted on 12/12/2010

I know where i am if you need help go the local Salvo's and they give vouchers and you can use them at the local butcher. Not sure if that works anywhere.
Just bread and milk for the week costs us $35. There is NO meat or fresh veges in that.

Stifler's - posted on 12/12/2010

Even Coles and Woolworths are a rip off. I bought 4 peaches, a 3L of milk, a can of condensed milk, 2 drumstick ice creams, some coconut, 2 packets of ginger nuts and a packet of nice at Foodworks last night... for $40.

Jodi - posted on 12/12/2010

I know Emma, and being in a mining town, it's probably even worse there. I went to the store today and bought some Buttermenthols (lots of sick people in my hosue right now), apple juice, milk, ready made Ravioli, pasta sauce, home brand garlic bread and cheese and paid over $30. Usually I'd do fresh foods and make my pasta sauce myself, but I'm one of the sick ones at the moment. I couldn't survive on $200 a month though, not even close.

Stifler's - posted on 12/12/2010

$50 a week on food in Australia is like bread, milk, cereal, potatoes and maybe some fruit hahaha forget any junk food

Jodi - posted on 12/12/2010

Wow, 200-250 a month on food. I spend that a week just on food :) But I think our cost of living may be higher here. And I also have 2 growing boys who eat like horses at the moment. Puberty makes them VERY hungry!!!! No-one tell you how much it will cost to feed them when they are babies.......so anyone out there with baby boys, once you stop buying formula and diapers, start saving for what they eat in their teenage years :)

Teresa - posted on 12/12/2010

This is old and I'm not getting back into this debate, but I wanted to add that I now have experience w/ returning foods bought w/ food stamps. I bought some packages of stuffing from Costco and needed to return them for some green beans instead.... Costco recredited the food stamp card... no cash back or cash card. Never returned anything anywhere else yet, but that's how it is/was at Costco last month. ;)

Julianne - posted on 12/12/2010

At times in my life i needed to take advantage of the local church who offer food vouchers to people who are in need. When they help out, they give you a list of food you cant buy, pop chips and other junk are on that list.

Amanda - posted on 12/12/2010

I also agree that there should be some sort of limit but when there isn't than there really isn't anything we can do. I had some "friends" who were on food stamps and they bought nothing but junk. Fatty foods for themselves and their 3 kids. Pop, candy, chips, snacks for the boys, I mean you name it. They never bought the boys juice or milk. They only gave them pop. It honestly disgusted me. Needless to say I'm no longer associating with them. When I was on it while pregnant with my oldest daughter, I bought things that would feed my son and I. I bought things that would prepare meals. I bought pop once in a while and a bag of candy here and there. But I used it for what I really needed, and that was dinner food, breakfast food, milk, eggs and bread. I mean some people just don't get it.