Food Stamp Nation: How's Your Recession Going?
1. "Nearly half of all U.S. children and 90 percent of black youngsters will be on food stamps at some point during childhood."
2. "The U.S. Department of Agriculture said nearly 200,000 retailers nationwide now accept food stamps, 20 percent more than in 2005."
3. "In September, Texas processed 58.6 percent of applications within the 30 days required by the federal government. By the end of that month, nearly 42,000 families were waiting for a decision even though the deadline had passed."
4. "Some 36 million Americans are on food stamps, an increase of nearly 10 million over the past two years…. Some 66 percent of those eligible participate."
5. "A federal judge has ordered Indiana's partially privatized welfare intake system to speed up decisions on food stamp applications, but the state has a year to meet its first target."
Wait, not all grocery stores accept food stamps?
You ever seen a WIC sign at Whole Foods?
Technically you should look for an EBT sign.
Costco has started accepting EBT but before it did J8L did this helpful round up of which stores do and don't take it.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/why-doesnt-costco-accept-food-stamps/
I'm fortunate enough never to have needed to look, and I hate grocery shopping enough never to have paid attention to anything around me while I'm there. I had no idea.
Whole Foods in Massachusetts accepts EBT, although it could vary by state.
As far as all groceries are concerned, it may be a cost issue for smaller stores or franchises, i.e. not chains, to become equipped to accept EBT?
Technically the grocery stores where I shop have WIC signs. I know, because I have eyes.
more and more farmer's markets are beginning to accept LINK (illinois) and WIC, which is great.
In Other News: the stamp industry is booming!
Jobs created! We are winning.
TARP program for those whose private equity has determined they will sleep under one.
private equity = net worth
I get my monthly benefit tomorrow, and then it will be high time at the Rainbow Grocery and Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market! My government cheese will be Point Reyes Blue or Humboldt Fog, thank you very much.
By the way, no need to feel guilty cashing in your food stamps for the Marcel and Henri pate at the Trader Joes — it's just chicken livers and pork fat. Welfare queen it up, I say!
I wouldn't know about Whole Foods, since I have always refused to shop there because of Mackey's stances on unions (and now health care), but I'm pretty sure they take EBT here in California.
I recently started working (2 weeks ago) for an agency that hooks up people with social service resources including food stamps and cash assistance (welfare). The demand is such that I've already got the 12 page application form for the Department of Human Services memorized.
WIC is a separate program from food stamps. I believe that's what the previous poster meant.