primitives discuss using food stamps to buy soda

[crockspot]

If people used their food stamps to buy the most unprocessed of food staples (flour, shortening, butter, eggs, milk, meat, vegetables) and did a little bit of cooking in the kitchen, they could eat like kings.

[Texacon]

I was in one of our local grocery stores several months ago to buy lunch for me and my office manager.  There was a big sign up at the deli counter announcing this day as the last day you could use your LoneStar Card to purchase pre-cooked items at the deli counter.

In front of me (and holding up the line) were a man, woman and two kids probably 'tweeners'.  The woman was asking them all what they wanted and ordering.  They ordered HUGE amounts of food.  Some, obviously, to eat at the tables provided and the rest was put into huge brown paper bags to take home.  The bill was well over $100 but I don't remember the exact amount.  I was wondering what was going on until ..... you guessed it, she pulled out her LoneStar Card.

Last day shopping spree.  I was wondering at the time how often they came into the store to pick up cooked; Breakfast, Dinner and Supper.  How much more food could they have been getting?  Glad it was the last day for the deli to take those cards.

As an aside; They were nasty, smelly, wore dirty clothes and they were all over weight.  I'm sorry, I don't give a damn how poor you are hygiene doesn't need to stop.  Hell, we live on the 2nd largest lake in the state!  There is a 98,000 acre bathtub in my back yard.

KC

[Chris_]

If people used their food stamps to buy the most unprocessed of food staples (flour, shortening, butter, eggs, milk, meat, vegetables) and did a little bit of cooking in the kitchen, they could eat like kings.

I know that I'm dating myself, but I can remember the days before food stamps, when the poor were given only surplus farm products, such as milk, cheese, flour, cornmeal, beans, etc.  That was it..........which is the origin of the phrase "government cheese", and the reason that the food stamp program is, to this day, administered by the US Dept. of Agriculture.........

As an aside, the USDA is running radio ads around here to attract MORE people to apply for food stamps.......everytime one of those ads airs, Mrs. doc goes ballistic........

doc

[The Village Idiot]

For the record, cheap foods such as spaghetti, mac and cheese, beans and cornbread, etc that are high in carbs CAN make a person FAT. When I was growing up, my mom bought a six pack of soda every couple of weeks. I was allowed one from time to time. Then again, the soda we bought also had a bonus. Six bottle caps and that allowed one entrance to a movie on Saturday morning. We were pretty poor when I was growing up, as my mom was a single parent with my father providing a massive $77/ mo child support. I don't think that food stamps should be restricted, but one should be moderate in the amount of junk food they buy. Oh, and ready made chicken pot pies were often considered a meal at the home.

Ramen Noodles, Oatmeal, bag of beans.... frozen Banquet TV dinners are all pretty cheap

[Carl]

Ramen Noodles, Oatmeal, bag of beans.... frozen Banquet TV dinners are all pretty cheap

Potatoes cost almost nothing and can be prepared in dozens of ways.

[The Village Idiot]

Potatoes cost almost nothing and can be prepared in dozens of ways.

FRIED is the best way. of course.

[thundley4]

FRIED is the best way. of course.

Fried, potato pancakes, and hash browns are my favorite ways.

[GOBUCKS]

Boiled potatoes. Now you're talking Irish cuisine.

[Carl]

Sliced with some ham and shredded or cheddar cheese and you can make huge casseroles that will last days and taste great.

[IassaFTots]

Chicken and ham.  Buy chicken whole.  Buy a big ole honkin ham, and cut it up, freeze in different portions.  Once you get  your staples, you won't need to spend much.

[The Village Idiot]

DUMP Food Stamps and just have the government centers give out 200 lbs of People Chow each month

[AllosaursRus]

DUMP Food Stamps and just have the government centers give out 200 lbs of People Chow each month

Soylent Green, anyone?

[NHSparky]

Ramen Noodles, Oatmeal, bag of beans.... frozen Banquet TV dinners are all pretty cheap

My particular favorite (especially on a day like today)?

Bag of beans--$1.29.
Can of chopped tomatoes--$1.09
Ham steak--$3.00

Soak the beans over night, slow cook them the next day with the chopped ham steak, add the tomatoes in the last 30 minutes.  Ham and bean soup.  I can eat for 3-4 days on that--lunches AND dinner.

[BlueStateSaint]

Boiled potatoes. Now you're talking Irish cuisine.

Irish "cuisine" is pretty much boiled anything.