If your circumstances changed and you were forced to utilize food assistance, you would not be able to purchase items like flour, sugar, seasonings, some oils. Cooking from scratch would likely become challenging or impossible if this bill passes. Ironically, if you were physically, mentally, or cognitively challenged and/or you did not have access to true cooking facilities beyond a microwave or hot plate, most prepared foods, healthy or less so, will not be allowed either. These meals may have less nutritional value than fresh food, but can certainly help Foodshare and other dollars stretch.
It is far better to incentivize fresh fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, lower fat, healthier cuts of meat and meat substitutes, and whole grains, etc., and to educate people on how and why to make different choices, rather than be arbitrary, punitive, and corporate-minded as AB110 and its supporters. Perhaps they could get 25% more value in these purchases (as long as AB110 seems to complicate grocers tracking already). I believe other state/s have succeeded with implementing incentivizing measures for truly healthy purchases-which may not be able to work out to every dietary need, but at least wouldn't penalize.
I am on food stamps. I have 5 children. I work 40 hrs a week. My children have food sensitivities that, since modifying their diet to dairy free, non-GMO, organic foods, we have only made 3-4 dr visits TOTAL in the 3 years since then. This is astonishing considering 4 of them HAD asthma that caused us to be at the dr at least every two weeks in the flu season. If legislators want to make sure people on food stamps are eating healthy, they should write the bill to say that 70% of food bought with food stamps must be fresh fruits or veggies, organic, and meat. It will minimize the amount of dr visits (Badgercare) expenses exponentially. This bill is ridiculous and the objective is beyond me. It makes zero sense
I cook from scratch, primarily because I do not wish to consume copious quantities of salt, sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, hydrogenated fats, artificial flavors, artificial colors, etc. I do not, and never have received, or applied for, food stamps although my income qualifies. My monthly food budget (for two cats and myself) is $150. I eat well and am in excellent health at 71.
If rules prohibiting the purchase of the most healthful foods are a Republican invention, I am thoroughly ashamed of their actions. Brown eggs? Organic milk? OBVIOUSLY, a grab by major commercial producers to force the "little guy" ~ who is no threat ~ out of the marketplace.
Gee, I have Type I diabetes (the kind that's genetic/not my fault, unlike Type II which can generally be fixed with diet and exercise), and I work my ass off to pay for my own private healthcare and my own healthy food. Why? Because THAT'S American. And I don't work for a large corporation that pays for half my healthcare premiums either--I'm a small business owner. So stop whining. No one puts food on my table but me, so I can have what I want, though I eat healthy because I choose to. If I have to pay for your food, then I should be able to tell you you're not allowed to have cookies, chips, cupcakes, pizza, sugary cereal, etc. Getting free stuff and then thinking you have a right to demand the best stuff money can buy...that's just lazy. THAT'S un-American. If you want to be lazy, go elsewhere. You're ruining our great nation. Eggs, milk and vegetables of any kind--even non-organic--are better for you than the junk foods I listed above. Have a little self-respect people. And if you want the freedom to eat whatever you want, then pay for it yourself. Freedom isn't free.
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