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Sunday, February 18, 2018

Trump wants to cut food stamps, use controversial meal kits instead

A proposal by the Trump administration that calls for replacing some food assistance to the poor with meal deliveries is raising questions among some social service agencies.

On Monday, the Trump administration proposed cutting food stamps, formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, by $17 billion in 2019 and more than $213 billion over the next decade.

In an effort to cut costs, Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney announced "America's Harvest Box" for SNAP recipients.

Instead of receiving assistance in the form of an electronic benefit card (EBT), recipients receiving more than $90 in monthly aid would get about half that amount in the form of government-provided, nonperishable food items.

That idea isn't sitting well with advocates for the poor.

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27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Make them eat MRE's or give them the same food that the jails give their prisoners... They will get a job quick, fast and in a hurry...

Jim said...


Isn't this great? Liberals complain about 'food deserts'. Well, here is the food.

I guess we can expect to see some great deals on peanut butter and cheese on Craigslist.

Anonymous said...

GREAT Idea...more nutritious food, no more lobster, steaks and booze.

Anonymous said...

So, you want the money, not the food. Then, there should be an opt-out option. Where you get neither. Suck it up, snowflakes!

Anonymous said...

Great idea! They are not being cut off, they won't be able to use the food stamps on lavish foods nor will they have the amount to see for drugs. Don't like it, get a job.

Anonymous said...

Better option is to only provide MRE's and eliminate EBT forever.

Anonymous said...

All that I read in the article's comments are questions (complaints) about specifics, like the number of mouths to feed, special diets, etc. These are not difficult to overcome with minimal effort, yet provide adequate nutrition and an immediate savings to taxpayers, whose idea of feeding the poor doesn't include so very many of the abuses that now plague the system.
Taxpayers don't think it fair that Food Stamp programs can provide cash or redemption for non-food items (alcohol, tobacco, drugs) or non-nutritious food items, while they themselves try to adequately feed their own families.

Anonymous said...

Nonperishable. So packed with preservatives and no nutrition. Which means more sick people which means more burden on medicaid.

I guess he needs to find some way to make up for all the money he's spending, why not take it from the poor?

Anonymous said...

Feed them Soylent Green

Anonymous said...

4:42 PM doesnt matter what you do they will sell their meal kits for cash or sell it back to the corner grocery store for pennies on the dollar for cash.
its a no win situation until you stop coddling them

sad the the thieves ruin it for those truly in need.

Anonymous said...

Untrue. #MAGA

Anonymous said...

4:43 PM - Yeah, I see a lot of purchases at the Farmer's Market and vegetable section of the grocery store with Independence cards. (not)

Anonymous said...

Jail or Prison food, nothing more, nothing less. This would make those lazy good for nothing bums get off their ass and get a job. Virginia Gov. last year said that he feeds state prisoners for just $2.75 a day.

Anonymous said...

So true!

Anonymous said...

Sorry I don't agree with this kids wont eat just anything

Anonymous said...

I have known many farmers, watermen, carpenters and landscapers that have all been on food stamps/EBT. The most common factor among people on government benefits is a lack of education and no ability to make much more than minimum wage.

Anonymous said...

Meal kits are not controversial they are healthy food which is what the food program is suppose to provide.

Anonymous said...

Seasonal OC worker VOTE. Candidates troll for votes by cutting benefits (for seasonal workers). Create some jobs for us and we would not NEED seasonal employment.

Why aren't WE allowed to get sick?

Anonymous said...

4:43 - Get your head out of your arse!

Anonymous said...

cheese curls are popular

Anonymous said...

Forget facism (merger of corporate interests with the government).
Hello communism (eliminate the corporate interests).

Anonymous said...

I still think one of the best things in the world is a tomato and mayo sandwich.I go into withdrawals every winter just thinking about it.If everyone ate as basic as I do the simplest of things would make them happy.

Anonymous said...

Time after time, God allows us to demonstrate to ourselves our utter inability to sustain anything good. We would do well to treat others as we would like to be treated and allow God to sort the rest. Our bickering is truly a waste of time as ALL governments will fail until the time when it rests on His shoulders.

Anonymous said...


Sounds like an idea with some merit; worthy of further discussion and evaluation. SNAP exists to keep the jobless from starving, but irritates other shoppers when recipients make poor choices or buy fancy food. Creative thinking, perhaps.

Anonymous said...

Idk where y'all get the idea that people on food stamps don't work??? I work OVER 40 hrs a week and we still need help. Am I still considered a lazy piece of poo?

Anonymous said...

You think canned meat,canned fruit, peanut butter and nonperishable boxed foods are HEALTHY? I hate to know your pants size! Gross!

Anonymous said...

Its fresh cookable food, obviously you know nothing about this proposal.