wilkes

In last weeks JP. It said 7000 household in Wilkes were receiving EBT and 25000 were receiving some form of aid. Of course I think the last estimate is total bull**** considering the county only has a population of 31000. http://www.journalpatriot.c...b2370.html

We were talking about this in another thread a few days ago. He means the number of households in the county, not the raw population.

As for healthy food versus junk, though, the key here is that healthier, not-processed foods are more filling than junk food, so even though you get less, it lasts longer.

Personally, I think they should do away with EBT cards completely, and go back to giving them specific food items. It would be cheaper for the government, politicians could get their palms greased by manufacturers bidding on the contract, and poor people would eat a lot healthier. Everyone wins!

No matter what your income you should be shopping the outter perimeter of the grocery store.
Even on a limited income eating substantially nutritious food can be abtained.
Not saying your going to shop at Whole Foods (which will take your whole paycheck)
But collectively, its a matter of making better choices over bad.

"Fins, what is prepared at home from what should be staples in anyones pantry is healthier than boxed, processed and canned food from the grocery store."

Given the way traditional country cooking is fried, loaded with butter, and has tons of carbs, no, your assumption isn't really a guaranteed.

The choice of foods in the local markets is not that great.

Fins, what is prepared at home from what should be staples in anyones pantry is healthier than boxed, processed and canned food from the grocery store.

When you walk into a grocery store ,you should already have a list of items needed for preplanned meals.. based on need, and what is on sale.....not a coupon novel.

It just goes back to what is being given to us for free.

Is it really free?

The whole free lunch program for everyone is good for the kids, but it hasn't changed anything for their parents.

Just cooking doesn't help. Around here, most people have no idea how to cook healthy. They take fresh vegetable a and put in pork fat to flavor them, or bread them and fry them in grease.

Learn, I agree with you. But it's not that simple because a certain group of our society thinks it would be wrong for us to dictate what people can and can't buy with their government checks.

LearnToFly (view profile)	Posted 6:24 pm, 08/30/2014
True Fins. But, the money "saved" from being spent on junk would go towards healthier food.

Not to mention that healthier food results in healthier people that would use Medicaid less and money saved there could help out with more food.

I know what you meant Fins. But, welfare should also be used as "aid"/"help". Not sole dependency.

The bigger problem is that people do not cook any more.

We can all eat better, if we are willing do a little more work. And I don't mean we should work a garden all day.

Shop smarter, and plan your meals around what is on sale....and cook a little more, so you could freeze some for later.

What a stupid thing to say. Healthy isn't a matter of opinion.

What 1 person considers healthy food may not be edible for others.

I didn't mean that they should buy bad food because it's cheaper. I meant, if you restrict people to being allowed to buy only healthier food, then they may not be able to buy what they need with the amount that the government gives them.

True Fins. But, the money "saved" from being spent on junk would go towards healthier food.

I also think that any type of aid should be limited to use a certain amount of years in one's lifetime. That'd end this multi-generational welfare junk. I think 5 total years of food stamp use is ample to help those get back on their feet. That's being very generous.

Of course, the portions would not be HUGE. But that would be better for everyone. How on earth have we gotten to this idea that a portion of any one food is a 12" diameter plate?

Fins has a point, however, there are ways to stretch a food budget to include healthy meals. At least, I could stretch one. The $180 that family just spent on frozen pizzas, colas, and potato chips.....I could turn that into all sorts of healthy meals. Whereas what they just bought will last them only a couple of days, what I could plan would last a week. Or more, if I had access to a freezer.

One problem is healthier food costs more.

LearnToFly (view profile)	Posted 4:25 pm, 08/30/2014
WIC I agree with because it is limited to certain HEALTHY foods and only certain amounts of them. Food stamps I disagree with because they can buy any fat and sugar stuffed crap. Food stamps should be designed more like WIC. Food stamps should allow families to get fresh fruits and veggies, bread, milk, eggs, beans, etc. The basics. Want that soda, candy and chips? Hand your own money over.

I have been saying this for years I'm glad to know I not the only one to feel this way

White America, I am not sure where you got your figures at but as of 2010 it says wilkes has a population of: 69,340