Ways to Annoy your Grocery Clerk #37 – Fine Dining … on Food Stamps

I think its worse though when they buy a whole bunch of junk food. I always think to myself that they could have bought something more healthier (like apples) than a bag of cheetos. It’s definatley frustrating to see all that money go to waste.

What sucks more is that you find them driving a Nice Lexus as you help them carry out their groceries!

Grrrr…I’m starving!

[...] blogging buddy, Paul Wynn, over at mostlygrocery.com, posted an article yesterday entitled Fine Dining…on Food Stamps. He relates how a customer in his checkout line rolled up with a cart brimming with items, [...]

I have nothing to say except “Word.” And now I am going to go eat the hot dog and tator tots that I can actually afford. Would love crab legs or steak, but they cost more than $1.99 to feed a household.

In defense of SOME on Foodstamps-

I myself am on Foodstamps, and WIC – I have 2 small children, and their father just doesnt feel like paying his childsupport AT ALL. We have been homeless twice in the last 12 months. I do the best I can with the hours I can work, I have one child that is Autistic and goes to school full time, however extra childcare costs about 350 per week for the 2 kids… and that just doesnt seem reasonable to me.
Now back to the FS issue…

I see people like that- shopping and taking advantage of what they have,
However do u notice those of us that, use coupons, to make our food money last a whole month? Those of us that buy as healthy as possible even though Milk costs 4 times the price of soda and Juice is right up there too.
Those of us that grow our own foods, in the yard so that we can afford FRESH MEAT for our kids? You try feeding a family of 3- on 5.65 cents per meal?

Hi Kay, I’m saddened when reading your story. No one should endure the situation that you have been put in but I hope things are turning around for the better. I’m sure you are a strong willed person and will persevere through this, if you haven’t already. I’m sorry if the story offended you or anyone in anyway. I was just trying to point out the obvious in a sadism type of way. People like you, Kay, should be entitled to the full amount but its the ones that take advantage of the system that are buying the “wants” instead of the “needs” and that greatly effects how much the deserving are supposed to get.

I see more people using coupons nowadays and they really do help save a bundle. The Sunday newspapers have tons of coupons and in the Food section of the paper some store have a $10 off $50 dollars. Remember to double your coupons as you can find them in the store ad as well. Thank you for reading Kay, and may your family be blessed with the assurance of a good life.

[...] #38 – Fine Dining … on Food Stamps [...]

Yeah,i work at a small store. Almo0st everyone with foodstamps buy nothing but candy and soda. And whats worse is the cash cards. I have not seen one person not use them for cigarettes,lottery,or alcohol. Every single one of them. And that you can buy candy and soda is rediculous. I know many places back east wont let that happen. Just food stuffs,like bread,milk,meat. But now all it is is a way for meth addicts to get their chocolate.

Wow. Ya, i did find this offensive. After my son’s father passed away, when he was 7, we were on foodstamps for many years. About which i feel zero guilt, considering that between myself & his families, we had all paid more than enough into the fund. But, one of the reasons that i was so happy when u-scans came out, is that i would not have to face the shame i felt when the checkers made rude * insulting comments about everything that i chose to purchase & the fact that i was recieving fs, at all. It was utterly humiliating to have to endure that when i was buying food with my child. And i did buy things like crab, or some other nice thing, once a month. It was a treat for my child to be able to eat a “goumet” meal once a month. The rest of the month we ate rice, beans & veggies. Healthy, vegetarian fare. But the fact that i was given the stink-eye or a rude comment ( like buying a single bottle of water for my thirsty child on a 90+ degree day when we were out in the city where water was not readily available, & the cashier says “Oh! How nice for you! i wish that I could afford bottled water” ) for choosing healthy food for my child is shameful. Please, try not to judge. It’s embarrasing enough. You never do know what the situation is. Buying my boy some fresh fruit or a special meal should not justify judgement. And believe, the tax dollars that are being taken out of our paychecks are NOT going to fund rich welfare moms. My family paid out hundreds of thousands over the past decades. As have many others. Please, just try to have some compassion when we are in your lines. We feel the judgement, even if it is unspoken.

Some of the people who come into the store with food stamps are people who actually need them. Others are people who cheat the system and get them, but drive nice cars parked in the handicap spot. I have seen countless times when a person comes in with food stamps and buys a basket full of meat and junk food like soda and chips. Food Stamps are meant to help families in need not abused. I don’t see how these people can get a hold of these kinds of benefits when they know that they don’t need them. In my opinion, these people should be denied benefits, have any existing benefits taken away, and banned for ever being able to receive them again. I don’t see many people who have them actually use them like they are supposed to be used. I see people coming in wearing nice tailored suits and wing tipped shoes using food stamp cards. If it were up to me I wouldn’t allow these people to use food stamps in the store.

I once had a lady buy $35 in bulk candy on the forth of July for, and I quote “Throwing at the parade.” Did she pay with food stamps? Oh yes she did.