U.S. food stamp use up sharply, sign of hard times

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By Charles Abbott

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some 27.88 million Americans received food stamps in March, up 1.5 million from a year earlier, according to the latest U.S. government figures which antihunger experts pointed to on Monday as a sign of economic distress.

"What's happening is we have a large number of families in poverty who are losing income while their expenses are going up," said Stacy Dean of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank.

Food stamps help poor people buy food. Benefits average $1 per meal.

Enrollment totaled 27.88 million in March, the latest month for which figures are available, up by 219,000 people from February and up 1.5 million, or 5.7 percent, from March 2007. The Agriculture Department, which runs the program, made the figure public late last week.

"Food stamps is the tail, not the dog. The economy is in decline so people turn to food stamps for help," Dean said.

The record for food stamp participation is 29.85 million people in November 2005, which included emergency benefits to victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, said USDA. Second-highest was 27.97 million people in March 1994, said the Food Research and Action Center, an antihunger group.

"Now is the time for Congress to pass temporary increases in food stamps, extended unemployment insurance and other targeted relief that will stimulate the economy and help struggling families," said James Weill, FRAC's president. He pointed to May's increase in unemployment, to 5.5 percent.

Food stamp enrollment has exceeded 27 million people each month this fiscal year. USDA estimates enrollment will average 27.98 million people in fiscal 2009, which begins on October 1, at a cost of $40.3 billion.

A U.S. Agriculture Department spokesman declined to comment.

(Reporting by Charles Abbott; Editing by David Gregorio)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080609/us_nm/food_usa_stamps_dc

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

This is a misrepresentation of what's really happening. There are more people on food stamps because there are more people, period.

Oh, and because food stamp cuisine is yum-oh.

[Jenn! 918]

This is a misrepresentation of what's really happening. There are more people on food stamps because there are more people, period.

Oh, and because food stamp cuisine is yum-oh.

You can buy anything you want with food stamps, can't you? At the grocery store at least, I mean.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

This is a misrepresentation of what's really happening. There are more people on food stamps because there are more people, period.

Oh, and because food stamp cuisine is yum-oh.

You can buy anything you want with food stamps, can't you? At the grocery store at least, I mean.

Yes. I was kidding.

It's just like using a debit card actually.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This is a misrepresentation of what's really happening. There are more people on food stamps because there are more people, period.

Oh, and because food stamp cuisine is yum-oh.

You can buy anything you want with food stamps, can't you? At the grocery store at least, I mean.

No. The scanned items that don't qualify cannot be paid for with food stamps...it's all automated.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Oh, I had no idea.

So are food stamp items yummier than most? They must be, if they're all the rage!

[Jenn! 918]

What foods are eligible for purchase with food stamps?

Households CAN use food stamp benefits to buy:

Foods for the household to eat, such as:

-- breads and cereals

-- fruits and vegetables

-- meats, fish and poultry; and

-- dairy products

Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat.

Households CANNOT use food stamp benefits to buy:

Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco

Any nonfood items, such as:

-- pet foods;

-- soaps, paper products; and

-- household supplies.

Vitamins and medicines.

Food that will be eaten in the store.

Hot foods

In some areas, restaurants can be authorized to accept food stamp benefits from qualified homeless, elderly, or disabled people in exchange for low-cost meals. Food stamp benefits cannot be exchanged for cash.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/faqs.htm

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I wonder why no 'hot food'.

[morocco4ever 63]

Households CANNOT use food stamp benefits to buy:

-- soaps, paper products; and

Good to know that they can't use soap and tp. Afterall, lets keep them smelly so they can't get jobs.

[mawilson 2,133]

Households CANNOT use food stamp benefits to buy:

-- soaps, paper products; and

Good to know that they can't use soap and tp. Afterall, lets keep them smelly so they can't get jobs.

[Fandango 1,439]

they can't get jobs cos all the illegals stole em.