Fruit vs. Frito-Lay chips
Rep. Jean Schmidt wants to know: Are people using their food stamps to buy apples and bananas or snack food? And if they are choosing snack food, is it because of the price?"I was shocked to find out that the federal government has no data telling us what types of food are being purchased with food stamps," Schmidt wrote in her weekly column, released today.
Schmidt, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, says she has organized a bipartisan working group of lawmakers to take a closer look at how the U.S. Department of Agriculture administers the Food Stamp program, starting with a look at what is being purchased with food stamps.
"Are more snack foods purchased than fruits and vegetables? How often are fruits and vegetables purchased?" asked the Miami Township Republican. "Once we know what is being purchased we can then look at how to foster healthier choices."
"Are purchases based simply on price with little consideration of nutritional value? Certainly when many snack foods cost less than apples or bananas, the decision is an easy one," she wrote.
The House Agriculture Committee is charged this year with writing the nation's next farm bill.
23 Comments:
at 1:56 PM, May 16, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 2:09 PM, May 16, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 2:28 PM, May 16, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 2:37 PM, May 16, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 3:06 PM, May 16, 2007 
thirstycoon said...
-
-
at 4:23 PM, May 16, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 4:43 PM, May 16, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 5:07 PM, May 16, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 5:36 PM, May 16, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 8:41 PM, May 16, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 11:25 PM, May 16, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 11:36 PM, May 16, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 11:45 PM, May 16, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 12:32 AM, May 17, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 4:46 AM, May 17, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 8:18 AM, May 17, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 9:18 AM, May 17, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 9:19 AM, May 17, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 10:52 AM, May 17, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 11:37 AM, May 17, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 11:13 PM, May 17, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 12:39 AM, May 18, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
at 1:19 AM, June 10, 2007 
Anonymous said...
-
-
Post a Comment*Hey Jean - you are starting to sound like a liberal again.
How about keeping the government out of our lives! There is no need to create a government database of what people choose to eat and then have government tell people what they are allowed to eat. As a republican you are supposed to be about personal freedom. If people on food stamps want to buy Fritos let them go ahead.
Maybe she should try the foodstamp challenge some of her colleagues posed. See here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR2007051501957.html
I imagine Ms. Schimdt's average meal in DC costs more than food stamps provide an indigent person in a week. Food for thought.
this is funny... Chabot is worried about high gas prices and Jean Schmidt is worried about who's eating junk food.
hmmm... looks like someone has their priorities in order.
In case you've never seen her in person, Jean Schmidt probably eats less than any other Member of Congress. She can't weigh more than 110 lbs. and she runs marathons for crying out loud!
This is not surprising from someone who is against a woman's right to choose. And, of course, junk food is often cheaper than healthier choices, but I certainly don't have the right to tell another person what to eat, even when my tax dollars are helping to pay the bill.
No matter what she does or how she does it, the nattering nabobs of negativism gnash their teeth and cry foul. It gets very tiresome.
BTW, Congresswoman Jean Schmidt weighs around 93 lbs and does, indeed, run in several marathons each year. She takes pride in always finishing, no small task in a 26.2-mile run.
tnp, if you can tell us Jean's weight down to the pound, you must be very close to her indeed....
Does tnp = "the neutered Peter?"
I'm a stauch Republican and I'm even embarassed by Jean Schmidt. Snack food Vs. Socail Security, Medicare, the war, spending, the list goes on. Someone please get ahold of her and make her stop sounding like a fool!
Sounds like she could use some Fritos!
This is actually a good move on Mean Jean's part. She clearly lacks the intellect to participate in solving the serious problems. It's better to have the dumber Members like Mean Jean Schmidt and Barbara Boxer stick to issues that they're capable of tackling rather than watch them embarrass themselves trying to discuss complex issues.
I don't like Mean Jean but she is certainly better than Heimlich or Brinkman.
As to the issue: Jean, the WIC program (women infants and children)is an agricultural program and they are exploring the idea that the grains provided to families should be replaced with fresh fruits and vegetables. It is a very good idea because the grains aren't being consumed anyway.
And, she is right, poor people - even those working poor not getting food stamps - have to buy off brand little debbie snacks because a bag of apples is outrageous.
I also think she should explore the impact in the wic program making its changes onthe farming industry in this country - it would be nice to promote fruits and vegetables that are home grown and healthy and affordable. (But not allowing snack foods altogether would be going too far in my opinion)
Next the wRong wingnut whacko will demand 'free fruits' while waiting on runways for take off !
Everyone know those food stamp mom's need the government to control how they spend those big buck government giveaways !
PATHETIC !
HAD ENOUGH, VOTE DEMOCRAT 2007 !
Anonymous at 4:43 pm, 5/16, TNP stands for "Take No Prisoners." And you are a bona fide jerk.
Jean ain't right yall...For every purchase there is a reciept. For every reciept there is a disignation for funding origin of that purchase. For each purchase the store knows whether the funding source is the government, debit programs, credit programs, checking and or cash as in tender. If the truth were all told this article could have been written more positively for different outcomes. For instance:
A senator has expressed an interest in tallying results on what foods are being purchased and for how much. Why? That is the article and the story. As a foodstamp recipient I may purchase foodstuffs that complement my way poor way of life, my walking more than the average bear, and my reception of counseling much more than the average bear. I see Schidmt as a wealthy woman that is now trying to tap into resources and stores that the poor and impoverished have been able to accomplish by learning how to serve God and by learning how to manage meager funds not to mention a poor and impoverished state that happens after taking so much looking down on and upon as if some carat in a glass window inanimate and without voice enough to question authority. Our paperwork??? Please. Where are uses of the alter, ministerial guideance, and gubenatorial leadership as in Taft, Luken and Mallory. Yall don't hob-knob??? The word says that many of us will not be able to hear though the words are tumbling out of pitchers of silver. What have I to worry about? Ignorance and the pleriferation of it. 5/17/07 12:28 est.
In August & September 1994, I was on foodstamps and let me tell you there is a lot of indignity to the whole process.
This includes having the clerk at the checkout counter survey your purchases and then tell you if front of everyone else in line which items 'do not qualify' for purchase.
When a single person receives $90 for a month's worth of food (which was the benefit in that southern state in 1994) -- you can be sure the person buys basically the items that will last the longest: rice, peanut butter, eggs, powdered milk, potatoes, onions and a few "on sale" cuts of meat.
The process just to get stamps (in that southern state) was a grueling and demeaning process to begin with, and it had a requirement that you show that you are actively involved in seeking employment.
I hated it so much (especially the part of going down to the Social service center) and I would probably rather just beg for food than go on food stamps again.
For persons with children, it may be different, and for persons who have received food stamps for a while....well, they might be inured to the whole process and none of it bothers them anymore.
Pet foods and items like female sanitary products, and of course cigarettes and alcohol are not permitted. I don't remember exactly, but I don't think sodas are allowed (not sure).
It is true that some food stamp recipients might choose an item of less nutritional value than a (Cincinnati-based Company) Chiquita banana.
It is also true that in just about every food (like ketchup, jams and jellies) high fructose corn syrup is one of the main ingredients...and it is why everyone nowadays seems to have a weight problem (Jean Schmidt notwithstanding).
Basement bloggers living in your parents basement can Jean Schmidt do anything right?
Yes, she can resign.
Frankly, I don't see how this is a minor issue at all. The Farm Bill decides what people eat - especially poor people. If Congress decides to keep subsidizing crops like corn, then poor people will go on buying things with high fructose corn syrup in them. They cycle of heart disease and diabetes and other diseases will continue and our health care costs will continue to skyrocket.
People, the Farm Bill is our 'Food Bill' and our most important 'Public health bill', disguised as an obscure agriculture bill. Unbeknownst to most Americans, farm lobbyists have lately relied upon this bill to continue the flow of subsidies to produce the essential ingredients for the crap sold in the middle aisles at the supermarket - the only stuff the poor can afford. Meanwhile, do you think the Farm Bill helps small farmers? Heck no, it's designed to help only big agrobusiness, who could care less what ends up in our "food."
"...Basement bloggers living in your parents basement can Jean Schmidt do anything right?..."
Typical wRong wingnut whackos with no real ideas of their own, sooooooo they "mean jean" plagiarize their signature vile and disgusting email propaganda spewing from their favored "blow-hard" !
PATHETIC !
HAD ENOUGH, VOTE DEMOCRAT 2007 !
"Does tnp = "the neutered Peter?" 4:43 PM, May 16, 2007..."
"....Anonymous at 4:43 pm, 5/16, TNP stands for ..." And you are a bona fide jerk...."
Did we hurt tweedy's whittle feelings ?
Everyone knows:
TNP = The Nazi Party !
TNP, the multiple personality, is also our surgically neutered bold typist !
Torn between two lovers, schmidt and strickland !
PATHETIC HYPOCRITE !
HAD ENOUGH ?
VOTE wRong wingnut whacko DINO's !
I have stood in line at the grocery store and watched as people on food stamps buy junk food. Just look ate the size of many people on food stamps. Our government funds their obesity and then pays for their health care.
the food stamp program has changed drastically in ohio - now, recipients get a credit card looking thing that uploads the amount of food stamps one qualifies for each month and paying the cashier is through one of those little machines, the same one used for debit cards.
but they do have to keep working for it
Hello,
I am a 24 year old grocery store manager. I am married and have 2 children. I make 10.25 per hour. My wife and kids are covered on Medicaid. I am currently a junior at UC and have been working full time and going to school full time. Thanks to FAFSA and the Smart grant most of my education is payed for.
I just wanted to tell you of my experience with the food stamp issue. I see what a lot of people on food stamps buy. A quick story. I was ringing out a lady and her son. Well she did not have enough money on her food stamp card. Instead of putting back the pop she puts back the bananas. I think that is really sad. I see a lot and what I fail to see is people stocking up on fruits and vegetables to pay with their food stamp card. People complain about the price of fruits and vegetables but when you look at the health benefits of such food items they pay for themselves over and over.
Depending on the fruit or vegetable the prices vary. You can buy bananas for 39 cents a pound which has an abundance of nutritional value at a really good cost. A 24 pack of Pepsi or any other pop has no nutritional value and studies have shown over use can lead to bone loss and obesity all at the discount price of 8.99 a 24 pack.
Pop is not cheap and it is not good for you. I know enough not to buy pop for my family. It is nothing but sugar. POP IS NOT A HEALTHY FOOD. I see customers the first of the month come in and load their carts full of nothing but pop. They really load up if it is on sale. Then they use their food stamp card to pay for it.
Why should people on food stamps make themselves unhealthy on the tax payers’ dime?
As I see it pop and snack foods should not be allowed to be purchased with a food stamp card. For their unhealthy eating habits tax payers have to then flip the bill for their medical. This is all wrong. People can do so much better. I heard the argument that I should not withhold junk food from my children just because I am on food stamps. I don't give my children junk food and I am not on food stamps.
People think they have it so rough in America. They don't. I have people complain to me that WIC does not cover their favorite sugar cereal. They are so mad. So they just have to settle for corn flakes or raisin bran. What a pity. Man that makes me so mad. People in Africa would love to have a bowl of corn flakes. I know how much as a nation we are blessed. I know that I am blessed. People say America needs to take care of their poor before they take care of the world’s poor. Well I beg to differ. I guarantee that the poor in Africa would give up anything just to be poor in AMERICA. Poor it seems in America is whether or not I have enough money to pay for my junk food and beer. Poor in Africa is whether they have enough money to buy some rice that will barely sustain them until the next day.
I am sure that there are a lot of people that use food stamps appropriately but I just notice the abuses more. As for buying $20.00 steaks that does not bother me, at least steak has some nutritional value. It beats putting something in your body that has counter nutritional value. Such as pop and the like.
Thank you for letting me say my peace
* Our online blogs currently are hosted and operated by a third party, namely, Blogger.com. You are now leaving the Cincinnati.Com website and will be linked to Blogger.com's registration page. The Blogger.com site and its associated services are not controlled by Cincinnati.Com and different terms of use and privacy policy will apply to your use of the Blogger.com site and services.
By proceeding and/or registering with Blogger.com you agree and understand that Cincinnati.Com is not responsible for the Blogger.com site you are about to access or for any service you may use while on the Blogger.com site.
<< Home