Thread: fSome fast food restaurants want to accept food stamps

This is a test only in certain areas and you must qualify. To qualify you must be disabled or homeless, having a difficult time with cooking. Also it is not for fast food (although they are trying). It makes sense to me for people who have no means to cook.

My husband works 2+ jobs, I cut corners where ever I can, etc. I tell my children all the time that they can't go out to eat and we'll eat something at home. They will survive without 'fast food'. It's the "they won't be denied" attitude that leads to the "entitlement" attitude. If one can afford it, then one can do it. If not, then it can be an incentive to better one's position, a learning of one's priorities and an understanding of needs versus wants.

Going out to eat is a treat. The government should not be giving out "treats" on the backs of hardworking people's money/taxes. Assistance programs are meant for basic needs.

So you can buy a Big Mac, fries & shake with food stamps but not toilet paper? I don't begrudge anyone going out for dinner but dang...even with the dollar menu items it can add up.

Originally Posted by pepperpot

Going out to eat is a treat. The government should not be giving out "treats" on the backs of hardworking people's money/taxes. Assistance programs are meant for basic needs.

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Should food stamps be redeemable at Taco Bell?
The Week – 5 hrs ago

Fast-food chains are lobbying the government for permission to accept food stamps. Not on your life, say anti-obesity advocates

With government-issued food-stamp benefits more than doubling — to $64.7 billion — between 2005 and 2010, more and more businesses are trying to get in on the action. Outside of a few states, restaurants have traditionally been excluded. But now Yum! Brands, owner of Taco Bell, KFC, Long John Silver's, and Pizza Hut, is lobbying for permission to let people use food stamps at its fast-food outlets. While, anti-hunger advocates like the idea, anti-obesity activists deplore it. Should the 45 million Americans who receive food stamps be allowed to spend them on fast food?

Obviously not: This "horrible idea" is a "public health disaster" in the making, says Kim Conte at The Stir. By encouraging low-income Americans to eat unhealthy food, the government would essentially be subsidizing obesity and spending important funds inefficiently: "Prepared restaurant food costs a lot more money (and food stamps)" than staples such as beans, fruits, vegetables, and rice.

For those who can't cook, this would be a godsend: There's no denying that fast food, with its high fat, salt, and sugar content, isn't the most nutritious fare around, says Sam Taxy at Care2. But more states should take advantage of an exception in federal rules, and let homeless or elderly people who can't cook at home buy restaurant food. Let's take this opportunity to be sure that these hungry people aren't falling through the cracks.

The only question should be whether it helps people in need: In these hard times, more and more Americans are "teetering off the edge of the lower-middle class and into destitution," says The Inquisitr. And while we grant bailouts to billionaires, some people still "nitpick" about what little we spend helping the poor. Let's not wring our hands over the fact that some people would rather spend food stamps on fried fish or chicken than something they could cook at home. Let's just make sure they don't go hungry.

http://news.yahoo.com/food-stamps-re...145700840.html

For those who don't cook : they have lots of ready to eat and frozen foods that can be fixed with minimual effort. Not as cheap as making it from scratch, but way less then paying for fast food. As someone else said... even the Dollar Menu items add up

I know in pa that food stamps can be used in restaurants. I'm not sure which ones though. They even leave that decision up to the person applying it's on the application.

Personally, I don't think it's right to use them at a fast food restaurant though. Working at Sheetz I see people use their cards all the time for stuff (anything from smoothies to foot longs to pop etc.) and I think it should be used for more healthy things rather than prepared items and convenience.

I was hoping someone would discuss this SOMEWHERE! Okay I live in Phoenix now (in case you didnt know) and they have it here... I think its awesome! Because of the homeless and elderly and disabled are able to go and get a hot meal when they other wise could not.

You do have to have a special qualifier card is what I read on the food stamp website, BUT I called the places last night and they do take food stamps but do not know what the qualifier card is so I think you can just go use your food stamps. They 2 places I know of here are dominoes and El Pollo loco. It is for only certain items and carry out only for Dominoes and it is ONLY in certain areas, like the crappier areas where these types of people reside or stay.

I get food stamps (Not a huge amount since I started work) and I am telling you I want you to know that I cant imagine going to a fast food restaurant with them unless I had NO other means to cook. It would make me feel way out of line. That's just me. I know people will abuse it, but I am telling you its only for certain things and its just so they can have hot food when they dont have the means to make things for themselves.

I think its a neat idea...

Local news story about fast food food stamps

I also agree with drug testing welfare recipients too, just adding that lol I will text everyday if it meant getting help for my kids, I dont mind it at all.

Because of the homeless and elderly and disabled are able to go and get a hot meal when they other wise could not.

Elderly and disabled - If someone is elderly and/or disabled to the point where they cannot cook for themselves, they really do need to have assisted living, not a "restaurant pass".

I am more for the "meals on wheels" program for these cases. IMO that cuts abuse and would provide a healthier meal and it also affords a "human touch" between the carrier and the client. The carrier "checks up" on the client.

The homeless - wouldn't it be more cost efficient and healthier to have (for lack of a better term) "soup kitchens" where healthier meals are provided? Again, that also provides some socialization where the homeless person is not "isolated" and other "help" can also be brought to the "target" population. Like possible affordable housing program/application/etc. Job opportunities for those who need them. It would be more centralized and targeted to that population in need.

If restaurant cards are just handed out, how does that encourage the person to change their situation and not become totally dependent? If the person is working and just needs "supplemental" assistance....do they really need to eat at restaurants?

They 2 places I know of here are dominoes and El Pollo loco. It is for only certain items and carry out only for Dominoes and it is ONLY in certain areas, like the crappier areas where these types of people reside or stay.

Dominoes and El Pollo are not known for their healthy foods. You may be able to put a few veggies on a slice, but it's really not equivalent to a serving of veggie. As far as only certain products, well.....that's a bit of a "conflict of interest" where the businesses must "police" themselves to really adhere to that rule. Sure, they would be in trouble if caught, but...that's slim.

I get food stamps (Not a huge amount since I started work) and I am telling you I want you to know that I cant imagine going to a fast food restaurant with them unless I had NO other means to cook. It would make me feel way out of line.

This is what food stamps are for. To assist those in need and to use it respectfully.

I also agree with drug testing welfare recipients too, just adding that lol I will text everyday if it meant getting help for my kids, I dont mind it at all.

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