Food Stamps Or Food Storage?

The latest statistics surrounding food stamps and other food assistance are astonishing. According to a recent CNN money article, food stamp usage reached a record 45.8 million in May. That’s up 12% from a year ago. According to the article:

The highest concentration of food stamp users were in California, Florida, New York and Texas — where more than 3 million residents in each state received food stamps in May. Original Article Here

That’s 1 out of every 6 people in the United States that cannot buy their own food! This economy has really taken it’s toll on families all across the country. With so many struggling to put food on the table, now is the time to do your best to store as much food in your pantry as possible. How do you stock up on food storage when things are tight? That’s a tough question, but it’s not impossible. Here are a few things you can do to get ahead:

1. Budget wisely
There are surely people that are spending their money wisely and don’t have extra money leftover, but the majority of Americans could change their spending habits and invest the savings into some extra food storage each month. The Department of Labor conducted a survey and 43% of the money spent by a family on food went to “food away from home”. Cutting back on eating out or other frills could go a long way towards building your food storage and emergency preparedness plans.

2. Grow a Garden
Gardens are a fantastic way to fill up your pantry for a lot less. Even if you have limited space, or you need to grow indoors, its worth it. Gardens will not only make you more self reliant, but they will also help you eat a more healthy diet. Square foot gardening is a great space saving option for some people.

3. Food Co-ops
Check the internet for local food co-ops. Many times you can save big on fruits, veggies, and even meat through a co-op. You get way more for your money this way.

4.Coupons
With a little extra effort, you can find amazing deals on food with coupons. Check your local store ads, and the internet for fantastic websites that help you find the very best deals anywhere. Of course you will need to be focused on buying what you need, don’t let that 20% off coupon on a filet mignon derail you from the track.

5. Pool Your Resources
Many times companies will give bulk discounts to groups of people who are willing to pool their money together to buy in bulk. This is a win, win for both you, your friends, and the companies. (By the way we do this too, call our customer service line fore details)

People have had to learn many tough lessons from this economy but those who have learned to go back to the basic principles of self reliance that our parents and grandparents taught us, are those who will be able to weather the storms of life best.

Continue reading » · Written on: 10-13-11 · 27 Comments »

27 Responses to “Food Stamps Or Food Storage?”

Lance Hoefs wrote:

Not all those people are as needy as the taxpayer or government thinks they are , I know from first hand experience from Relatives or former relatives in Texas , One actually is on Food stamps , receives housing assistance only pays 12 dollars a month rent , receives energy assistance , Poor no way she drives a new Chrysler 300 , has a computer etc.etc. She goes around selling her stamps and her lazy loser boyfriend lives with her doing his drugs and never has to work because he lives off of us , this scenario plays out all over the country and no one exposes it . This is only one example I could give you 100′s more . This one story alone should be enough to make every taxpayer want to get rid of the Nanny state except for the truly needy . Being prepared is always good . but alot of people just blow it off and think the grocery store will always be there Sad . We are starting a network where I live not just for food and water but energy, water, and Health . Our local officials refuse to talk to us about preparedness , so we are on our own

October 17th, 2011 at 5:44 am

jim Presley wrote:

Larry you are right on. I know of people who falsely qualify for food stamps. But your comment ‘think the grocery store will always be there’. You may be prescient, and appear to be one of the few who realizes the enormous risk that someday soon, over, say, a three day period, we will encounter a era of food hoarding, like before a hurricane, that will never stop. The shelves will be stripped bare, and food cost will not be the issue. This is because our population on average has a three- day reserve in the pantry. When they all try to ‘stock up’ at once the volume at each store will be beyond capacity. When the buyers see even a few empty shelves the panic starts. There are no ‘foodwarehouses’ as the supermarkets use Just in Time delivery to conserve capital. So there is a built in capacity limit.

October 17th, 2011 at 6:29 am

Zack wrote:

My wife’s experience was similar to Lance’s. She used to do Homecare and went in and out of people’s houses everyday. Dozens that were getting assistance had nicer cars than we did, the latest iphone, etc. but needed food stamps to put food on the table, help with their electricity bill etc.. Or there were some that were “disabled” that could do every recreational thing they wanted to, but for some reason couldn’t get a job.

But the welfare policies of this country have created this mess, and as I have learned being an employer, once you give something, it is nearly impossible to get it back without a lot of fuss. In terms of welfare, once the federal teat dries up, there’s going to be a lot angry, “deserving” people.

October 17th, 2011 at 8:00 am

Noel wrote:

I agree with y’all. I know many who abuse the system. I also know many who do not abuse the system and actually need the food stamps. For example: Did you know that food stamps can be used to purchase seeds? I run a website, a blog and have a newsletter (that I’ve been slacking on) all about self sufficiency. It’s actually similar to this company. Everything I do here is free or very cheap, only thing I pay for is internet access and the domain name. Computers and assorted other things I use for the business were acquired before I lost my job. I find it amazing that I make just about enough money to cover the minimal business expenses I have. That means that many people either think it’ll never happen of that their government will ‘come save them’. In the next two months I will be applying for food stamps and energy assistance help. The point is that I’m doing something to help myself and my family and as soon as I now longer need the assistance I will get off it.

October 17th, 2011 at 8:43 am

laura wrote:

I agree there is mis-use of food stamps and other government subsidies. I was left w/o support 7 mos ago and 9 children. 7 of those children are special needs, some very severe. 1 child now in residential.
I have used my food storage and gardened as much as I could. I am glad I have been baking, gardening etc prior to this change. Friends thankfully have given us some extra produce to help out.
Very little financially help/child support has been given. I am very frugal and have gotten this far. Now food storage very low, house to be foreclosed, unable to secure job, that will also pay for day care, etc.
It is very upsetting to know others are getting the services, that I haven’t wanted to receive. I have wanted to not step into the welfare system..but it is beginning to look like the next step.
Hoping I can continue w/o going that route.

October 17th, 2011 at 8:50 am

Lezlie wrote:

There are 45 million people that can’t afford their own food? Think it’s more likely they choose not to prioritize food,because it’s easier to let Govt. buy their food. Get rid of the extras or wants (cell phone,internet, cable,fake nails,hair highlights,fake tans) Not all, but many, their problem is priorities!

October 17th, 2011 at 1:30 pm

MICHAEL wrote:

I am in the Auto industry, and “daily” people (who are capable
of working) are beating the system! Govt assisted housing,disability,ssi, food stamps, etc! They come into my business and buy new vehicles, then go to their Govt assisted
homes, buy the way of the grocery store to use the Govt food stamps. Only to watch the latest reality TV shows, with a new vehicle parked in their drive way! I didn’t know people could get ssi at such a young age??? They recieve $600.00 per child,therefore just keep having more children!…and the Banks are approving their loans, on Govt assisted income only!…It blows my mind!…while every day I get up, go to work,and pay absorbent taxes,so that “OUR” govt can contine THE GREATEST PONZI SCHEME EVER IN HISTORY!!!……CONCERNED CITIZEN

October 17th, 2011 at 2:20 pm

Peggy Jentoft wrote:

Many of the people who are on food stamps are also taxpayers. Many work full time many are under employed. Yes there are abuses in the system but the vast majority of those who receive services are honest . It is not easy to tell who is unable to work so don’t be so quick to assume that someone is a shirker.
Many are working very hard to survive available resources are limited and becoming tighter.
My family does not qualify for food assistance by about 20 dollars a month. My food storage has been a life saver this year though it is beginning to run low and I have not so far been able to replenish it.

October 17th, 2011 at 3:14 pm

stacie wrote:

I think food stamps should only be used as a hand up, not a hand out. In other words, if you are not working, then you dont qualify. That would eliminate all the moochers and let it remain a suplement to those of us who work, but cant make it .

October 17th, 2011 at 8:22 pm

Bryan wrote:

On an entirely different note, but does apply to food shortages and delivery cessation, has anyone done any reaearch on an EMP Event Horizon, and solar flares, and how they can both cripple anything that has a chip, ie. any vehicles built after 1980, computers, airplanes, energy transmission lines etc. ? Read The Second After, fiction, based on fact, will scare you to death ! Could very well happen soon. Any comments on how to protect chips from frying would be very helpfull.

October 17th, 2011 at 9:15 pm

Chad wrote:

The only practical way to protect chips from an EMP, no matter what the source, is to not have it on when the event happens. You would need to disconnect the battery on some newer cars because some of their chips are on all the time. Of course the power grid most likely would not be shut down due to time constraints. I.E. no internet, cellphone towers, landlines, no gas pumps and with no power most of your chips would be useless anyway and how long before your car ran out of gas. My point is if a major EMP disaster happened we would be set back to the 1800’s for months, years or even decades.

October 18th, 2011 at 4:41 am

Lance Hoefs wrote:

Please I did not want to offend anyone , Yes there are people who truly need assistance , but some of you are confused and need to recheck your facts and turn off the TV , I received an e-nail from a friend , a young lady in Illinois was having her eighth child and the doctor asked her who the breadwinner was in the family, she said her Grandma tells her she is because when she has this baby her Grandma gets foster care $1,500 a month now x that by 7 more then add on housing welfare medical food stamps etc, this chain must be broken as apparently to many people have made this a generational free ride business . Yes if people truly need it that’s OK by me, I am a disabled veteran and have given up many things I used to do because am physically unable but then I see another guy Who had back problems collecting a check putting a new roof on his house , What is wrong with that picture ?

October 18th, 2011 at 5:57 am

Lance Hoefs wrote:

Being prepared is important, but remember how many friends and relatives who you have been warning will be knocking on your door . What will you do ? I have been adding a little here and there as finances permit . I am glad I did as hard times hit when wife got hurt at work and was denied workers comp, we had our supplies and used them for a year and a half , now I am stocking up again , We are trying to build a barter network, also we must think of friends and relatives who are not healthy and try to help them with medicine food and protection . If something Happens our small towns as well as big cities will be shut down NO ONE IN NO ONE OUT per DHS so now what do you do ? hope you have a network, and remember be careful who you trust, as people change when things go bad

October 18th, 2011 at 6:05 am

Sandy Anderson wrote:

I don’t know or understand people who like a friend of mine now deceased who only worked 1 job in their life (Mcdonalds) and made twice as much as I did I have not a clue… I am on disability, and I have several medical issues.I have been on disability for a number of years. I make now a mere $663 a month on disability. When I lived in the south my disability was only a mere $400 a month…WHY? Because when I was working I was making minimum wage doing CNA work back in the day when minimum wage was a mere $3.25 hour. Most of the places I worked in the South sure did not have insurance or any other thing. Many places did not even have a/c for the patients. I get a mere $200 a month on food stamps and I am able to feed both me and my mother on these plus have a “pantry” of stocked up food items. I would say at this point in time that I have probably 2 1/2 months worth of food. Probably the biggest reason for this is because I know how to shop. I purchase things in bulk size by using the warehouse type stores. Did u know that some are even free(without membership fees). In AZ where I live there is a free warehouse store (like Costco or Sams) and it is possible to do this. I also will buy things at the dollar store for stock up. Many of the food banks out here are nothing but pure junk food and little else (at least that was the case about 8 years ago I have not been back since then because I need food not junk(yesterdays doughnuts or brownies by the garbage bagful and many other things like that)…While I do have a pc I received it for Christmas about 7 years ago. While I may look like I drive a nice car it is actually my mothers car not mine (and I do not drive it often). While I may look like I have a wonderful cell phone it is not mine it is my mothers (and hers is just been upgrade hers for the 1st time after having it for 12 years). And if it were not for my mother I would not be able to live in AZ (seriously how am I to live on just $663 a month). I have several disabilities due to the type of job that I chose to work in. Why did I choose this type of career? Because it was what God asked of me… I loved working with the elderly and I learned a great deal from many of them THAT is the reason I am able to stock up on things. While I also know that many abuse the system many do not. So please remember that when you see someone who is on food stamps or disability they may not be abusing the system and if they could they would be working. I know for me I would be if I could simply because if my mother were to die I could not live on what I make (at least not in AZ). Maybe in the south but not here. So please if you seriously KNOW that someone is abusing the system report them but please do not catorgoize all those who are on the system has low lifes. Thank you.

October 18th, 2011 at 11:32 am

Clark Rees wrote:

What an amazing read!!! Thank you very much for sharing this with us.

October 18th, 2011 at 12:14 pm

Sandy Anderson wrote:

By the way nice tips however useful they may be.. Does Ready Store allow food stamps for their customers use? It sure would be a great help if they did… I can get some of these type of cans at the local Wal-mart but not nearly the choice line.. So if you do please let me know.

October 18th, 2011 at 12:16 pm

Lindsay wrote:

I am a mother of 3 and have an empolyed husband. I am a food stamp reciever. My husband has a 10$ an hour job which is better than most people yes, but you cant just demean people and ASSUME you think you know thier circumstances. Yes I too have seen many people “use the system.” But not EVERYONE who gets food stamps does. A lot of us dont. My husband spends hundreds of dollars just getting to and from work every month! He has to bus an hour and a half there and an hour and a half back, using the bus is much cheaper than driving our vehical! I live an hour away from any major shopping or city in both directions. I live in a very RUAL area! So this puts us out of money! There wopuld be NO WAY i could afford much food for my family if we didnt recieve our food stamps. Now I do spend my food stamps stocking up on food storage! I also take advantage of buying the seeds!! I dont have much room to store it but I have 2 freezers full of frozen goods and meat and I can my own potatoes and other things along with buying lots of canned goods. Im 25 and was raised big on Food storage. I wish companys like this one would accept food stamps for people like me who recieve food stamps to use them on thier food storage products! You all want to chastize people who recieve assistance but wont help us spend our money in wiser places, such as food storage. Or THINK you know what situation a family may be in. Its sad but true that you can be more successful if you dont make much money. To the system 800$ a month for a family of 5 is too much to qualify for cash aid. Tell me how do i pay 650$ in rent and then pay all my utilites and gas and food!? I cant! And internet is the ONLY luxcery I have that is NOT a NECESSITY! So think before you speak. And There would be no way I could get a job and work to help support my family because all of my earnings and most of my hubands would go to pay for childcare. Its 400$ a month per child to go to daycare. And the government program that used to pay for it Community Connection, recently is no longer available and I have been on the waiting list since 05! Now who knows how many more people will have to be at home moms just to SAVE money! I believe we all need at least 3 months worth of storage per person in the home. This site has great suggestions on how to do it too, which is the main reason of this artical not to bash food stamp users. Lets try and stay focused on the real issues.

October 18th, 2011 at 12:45 pm

Lindsay wrote:

I agree with SANDY ANDERSON!!!! I WISH YOU WOULD ACCEPT FOOD STAMPS ON HERE!!!! I WOULD BUY!

From The Ready Store:

Lindsay, we are unaware of any food stamp programs that allow for those types of food purchases.

Thanks,

The Ready Store

October 18th, 2011 at 12:49 pm

Lindsay wrote:

The Ready Store:
here is some info on the being a food stamp merchant. Check it out, maybe you are eligible to offer such services. Below inthe artical is the phone number that I am certain can direct you in the correct direction.

How Can My Business Accept Food Stamps?

By Julia LeDoux

The United States Department of Agriculture administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–or SNAP, what was known as the food stamp program–through its Food and Nutrition Service division. The program provides assistance to low-income individuals and families so that they may purchase food. The only type of benefit that is currently available through the program is the electronic benefits transfer, or EBT, card.

Merchant Eligibility
In order to be able to accept SNAP benefits, stores must meet certain eligibility requirements and are required to sell food for home preparation and human consumption. Stores must sell at least three different varieties of food from the four staple food groups: bread and grains; dairy products; fruits and vegetables; and meat, poultry and fish. In addition, at least half of a store’s sales must be generated by the four eligible staple food groups.

Request an Application
Merchants must be licensed in order to participate in the SNAP program, and the license is non-transferable. Retailers can apply online to participate in the program by going to the Food and Nutrition Service website (see Resources) or by calling (877) 823-4369.

Application Process
Merchants are required to submit the following information to Food and Nutrition Service in order to be able to accept SNAP benefits at their store: a copy of the current business license in your name; photo identification (such as a driver’s license, passport, military identification card, or official state-issued identification card); and Social Security numbers for each of the businesses owners, partners, corporate officers and their spouses if the business operates in a community property state.

The necessary documentation must then be sent to the Food and Nutrition Service Field Office that is responsible for processing your application. You can locate the office responsible for processing your application by visiting the Food and Nutrition Service web site (see Resources).

Decision Process
It may take Food and Nutrition Service up to 45 days to make a written decision on your application. Following approval, merchants will receive a contract, which they must sign and return in order to be issued the necessary equipment to begin accepting SNAP benefits.

Read more: How Can My Business Accept Food Stamps? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5686908_can-business-accept-food-stamps_.html#ixzz1bAO4P5MD

October 18th, 2011 at 2:19 pm

Sandy Anderson wrote:

Ready Store…

IF it can be bought with food stamps (Walmart uses a company from Utah). the Food Storage items at Walmart I do think that you would be able to purchase them elsewhere. I think that one of the biggest things that can not be purchased is in fact Already Heated Items. Other than that there really are not to many restrictions. I am so glad that Lindsay has given you the information. It would be a great way to help those of us who are on food stamps. And by the way most Co-ops (at least the ones that I looked at here in the part of the place I live in AZ) they want $400 plus a month up front… I and many of the people I know can’t afford paying that.. And really do you get that much in return??? I am all for helping the local business and all that.. Only place worth the funds that they want is called Beautiful Bounty.. (here in AZ)..and that is fruits and vegetables.

October 18th, 2011 at 2:51 pm

Jennifer wrote:

I don’t mean to sound heartless but it is blowing my mind that you would think about spending your food stamps on thereadystore. Yes everyone should be prepared but the way that I am seeing it is if you have enough money from foodstamps to buy these expensive freeze dried bulk canned products then they are giving you way too much money for “help”. Me and my boyfriend both have full time jobs, and i’m a full time college student, but are on a strict budget. I come to this site occassionaly wishing I could buy these things thinking how much nicer it would be to beable to have meat, vegetables, food, and dairy if there ever was an emergency or food shortage. But nope, because of the outragous amount of money they take out of our paychecks for taxes so we can “help the needy” all we have stocked up is rice and beans. Thanks for rubbing it in my face.

From The Ready Store:

Jennifer, this food might look expensive when you see the cost of a can being in the $20-30 range but you have to realize how many meals you are getting out of them. The average Joe spends 35-40% of their food money each year on dining out and I can guarantee that buying food from those places is exponentially more expensive than buying freeze-dried food.

October 18th, 2011 at 10:39 pm

Sandy Anderson wrote:

Jennifer,

I have bought freezedried in Walmart for storage. It maybe about $10 cheaper however the Walmart line up is very limited in what they serve. It is only things like wheat bread and milk and some fruit and hamburger and chicken (I would say that sparily though). Nothing much.. I would rather pay a place like ready store for the choice of food rather than just buying the same thing. I would spend some of my food stamps with readystore if they would become a food stamp taker just for varitey in storage food. And while the average Joe may spend 35 to 40% eating out in my house we can not afford to eat out that often and I will be the 1st to say that if I eat out once every 4 months that is pushing it.. We don’t have the privallege on a fixed income to do that much. (at least not in AZ where I live because of the COL here).

October 19th, 2011 at 1:28 pm

Lindsay wrote:

I dissagree Jennifer,
I think its sad you would think it to be a bad thing that someone would want to spend thier Food Stamps wisely! My husband works full time, pays taxes to “help the needy” as you put it, goes to school full time and I run a small business to make some money. So your story is similar to so many others both recieving food stamps and not. It doesnt make you better than someone recieving services. We all have the same opportunities, we are all just at different points in our lives.I will do whatever it takes to make sure my family of 5 has at least a 3 month supply of food storage. I grew up donating time to companies like this packaging number ten cans. I know its importance and a thing as big as food storage really is priceless. Its not something you can put a pricetag on so therefore I would have no problem buying a can or two a month or even teaming up with other women to buy in bulk, because its cheaper. As it is i spend a quarter of my Food stamps on food storage and if i could I would spend that quarter on places like this site. I have been collecting my food storage for at least 4 years now some paid for with food stamps and some without. Simpy it doesnt matter how you paid for it as long as YOU HAVE IT! You cant or help or change the way someone spends thier government money. But you could be happy there are people like me not spending it unwisely. Who knows you may be knocking on someones door in the future asking to have food, and find out they bought it with food stamps. Good luck with your building your food storage. One can at a time and youll be ther in no time!

October 19th, 2011 at 1:38 pm

James Black wrote:

There is certainly some abuse in the food stamp program. However, I believe that the alternative is unacceptable. We as Americans pride ourselves on always providing a helping hand to those in need, irrespective of color, country, creed or religion. Our first priority should remain to provide an available meal for those at home, and to continue to help those in temporary distress as we are able. We are saddled with the bureaucracy every government program creates to self perpetuate. Inherent in that is the ability to abuse the program. However, it is still a risk/reward proposition. If you are flagrantly cheating Uncle Sam out of any benefits you, will have several other federal police bureaucracies eager to take you down. Your abuse is their job security. There are just so many of you low hanging fruit to not even make it a challenge when disgruntled relatives post infractions on a website.

October 21st, 2011 at 12:22 pm

Morgana wrote:

We have found ourselves on food stamps in our middle age. We could be foreclosed upon any time, although we intend to fight. BUT, I try, each month out of my disability check, to take enough to buy a can or two of stuff for the coming days. This month (Oct.) I could not make it, hopefully Nov. will be easier to out something by. We grew our own garden, but got things in too late for a long-term harvest due to the wacky weather. Any of you who poo-poo the poor as being lazy etc. should try it some time. You’d be surprised how hard it is to live in hard times. We now live below the poverty line, whereas in our youth we were middle-class. There but for the grace of god…be careful whence thou speakest.

October 22nd, 2011 at 12:54 pm

Walter wrote:

I work for the State and County in Florida, and I have to be honest the majority of people we help are from the middle class that have found the economy and the loss of a job to much for their family to handle. The majority enter our facility in the hopes of finding work, only as a last resort have they turned to Food Stamps, and it is with great humility that they consider this option. When you see a family completely broken and have lost hope, then and only then will you know the pain I feel every day I go to work. I wish I had the resources to help, but unfortunately I do not. Last week I was brought to tears as two mothers entered the facility whom had lost their sons in Iraq, they have paid the ultimate sacrifice that a parent can. They both have had a very hard time working through the deaths of their sons, I was honored to assist them with looking for employment and also filing for assistance. To those people that put everyone on food stamps in one category, I wish you would realize that these mothers gave their sons up so you could have the freedom to complain! In other words you can’t judge all by the same stick. Try looking at these people through the lords eye’s. God Bless!

October 23rd, 2011 at 10:28 pm

Cat wrote:

Years ago when I saw capable (not elderly or disabled) looking people on food stamps, I did look down on them as for the most part were the lazies sitting on their collective rears waiting for their hand outs.
BUT
With the economy the way it is, there are way too many people willing but unable to find work! In our small town a factory closed leaving many, many middle aged people unemployed… I now stand ready at the grocery store checkout should the person in front of me run over on what is left on their card. You can always tell who is in need by what they have purchased as far as groceries
Then again I have seen very nice steaks & crab being paid for with food stamps knowing the children in that house will go hungry for their mother’s man/father of their next child that will be gone within a month and I just want to grab them by the throat!

November 11th, 2011 at 2:48 pm

Lance Hoefs wrote:
Not all those people are as needy as the taxpayer or government thinks they are , I know from first hand experience from Relatives or former relatives in Texas , One actually is on Food stamps , receives housing assistance only pays 12 dollars a month rent , receives energy assistance , Poor no way she drives a new Chrysler 300 , has a computer etc.etc. She goes around selling her stamps and her lazy loser boyfriend lives with her doing his drugs and never has to work because he lives off of us , this scenario plays out all over the country and no one exposes it . This is only one example I could give you 100′s more . This one story alone should be enough to make every taxpayer want to get rid of the Nanny state except for the truly needy . Being prepared is always good . but alot of people just blow it off and think the grocery store will always be there Sad . We are starting a network where I live not just for food and water but energy, water, and Health . Our local officials refuse to talk to us about preparedness , so we are on our own
October 17th, 2011 at 5:44 am
jim Presley wrote:
Larry you are right on. I know of people who falsely qualify for food stamps. But your comment ‘think the grocery store will always be there’. You may be prescient, and appear to be one of the few who realizes the enormous risk that someday soon, over, say, a three day period, we will encounter a era of food hoarding, like before a hurricane, that will never stop. The shelves will be stripped bare, and food cost will not be the issue. This is because our population on average has a three- day reserve in the pantry. When they all try to ‘stock up’ at once the volume at each store will be beyond capacity. When the buyers see even a few empty shelves the panic starts. There are no ‘foodwarehouses’ as the supermarkets use Just in Time delivery to conserve capital. So there is a built in capacity limit.
October 17th, 2011 at 6:29 am
Zack wrote:
My wife’s experience was similar to Lance’s. She used to do Homecare and went in and out of people’s houses everyday. Dozens that were getting assistance had nicer cars than we did, the latest iphone, etc. but needed food stamps to put food on the table, help with their electricity bill etc.. Or there were some that were “disabled” that could do every recreational thing they wanted to, but for some reason couldn’t get a job.

But the welfare policies of this country have created this mess, and as I have learned being an employer, once you give something, it is nearly impossible to get it back without a lot of fuss. In terms of welfare, once the federal teat dries up, there’s going to be a lot angry, “deserving” people.
October 17th, 2011 at 8:00 am
Noel wrote:
I agree with y’all. I know many who abuse the system. I also know many who do not abuse the system and actually need the food stamps. For example: Did you know that food stamps can be used to purchase seeds? I run a website, a blog and have a newsletter (that I’ve been slacking on) all about self sufficiency. It’s actually similar to this company. Everything I do here is free or very cheap, only thing I pay for is internet access and the domain name. Computers and assorted other things I use for the business were acquired before I lost my job. I find it amazing that I make just about enough money to cover the minimal business expenses I have. That means that many people either think it’ll never happen of that their government will ‘come save them’. In the next two months I will be applying for food stamps and energy assistance help. The point is that I’m doing something to help myself and my family and as soon as I now longer need the assistance I will get off it.
October 17th, 2011 at 8:43 am
laura wrote:
I agree there is mis-use of food stamps and other government subsidies. I was left w/o support 7 mos ago and 9 children. 7 of those children are special needs, some very severe. 1 child now in residential.
I have used my food storage and gardened as much as I could. I am glad I have been baking, gardening etc prior to this change. Friends thankfully have given us some extra produce to help out.
Very little financially help/child support has been given. I am very frugal and have gotten this far. Now food storage very low, house to be foreclosed, unable to secure job, that will also pay for day care, etc.
It is very upsetting to know others are getting the services, that I haven’t wanted to receive. I have wanted to not step into the welfare system..but it is beginning to look like the next step.
Hoping I can continue w/o going that route.
October 17th, 2011 at 8:50 am
Lezlie wrote:
There are 45 million people that can’t afford their own food? Think it’s more likely they choose not to prioritize food,because it’s easier to let Govt. buy their food. Get rid of the extras or wants (cell phone,internet, cable,fake nails,hair highlights,fake tans) Not all, but many, their problem is priorities!
October 17th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
MICHAEL wrote:
I am in the Auto industry, and “daily” people (who are capable
of working) are beating the system! Govt assisted housing,disability,ssi, food stamps, etc! They come into my business and buy new vehicles, then go to their Govt assisted
homes, buy the way of the grocery store to use the Govt food stamps. Only to watch the latest reality TV shows, with a new vehicle parked in their drive way! I didn’t know people could get ssi at such a young age??? They recieve $600.00 per child,therefore just keep having more children!…and the Banks are approving their loans, on Govt assisted income only!…It blows my mind!…while every day I get up, go to work,and pay absorbent taxes,so that “OUR” govt can contine THE GREATEST PONZI SCHEME EVER IN HISTORY!!!……CONCERNED CITIZEN
October 17th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Peggy Jentoft wrote:
Many of the people who are on food stamps are also taxpayers. Many work full time many are under employed. Yes there are abuses in the system but the vast majority of those who receive services are honest . It is not easy to tell who is unable to work so don’t be so quick to assume that someone is a shirker.
Many are working very hard to survive available resources are limited and becoming tighter.
My family does not qualify for food assistance by about 20 dollars a month. My food storage has been a life saver this year though it is beginning to run low and I have not so far been able to replenish it.
October 17th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
stacie wrote:
I think food stamps should only be used as a hand up, not a hand out. In other words, if you are not working, then you dont qualify. That would eliminate all the moochers and let it remain a suplement to those of us who work, but cant make it .
October 17th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Bryan wrote:
On an entirely different note, but does apply to food shortages and delivery cessation, has anyone done any reaearch on an EMP Event Horizon, and solar flares, and how they can both cripple anything that has a chip, ie. any vehicles built after 1980, computers, airplanes, energy transmission lines etc. ? Read The Second After, fiction, based on fact, will scare you to death ! Could very well happen soon. Any comments on how to protect chips from frying would be very helpfull.
October 17th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Chad wrote:
The only practical way to protect chips from an EMP, no matter what the source, is to not have it on when the event happens. You would need to disconnect the battery on some newer cars because some of their chips are on all the time. Of course the power grid most likely would not be shut down due to time constraints. I.E. no internet, cellphone towers, landlines, no gas pumps and with no power most of your chips would be useless anyway and how long before your car ran out of gas. My point is if a major EMP disaster happened we would be set back to the 1800’s for months, years or even decades.
October 18th, 2011 at 4:41 am
Lance Hoefs wrote:
Please I did not want to offend anyone , Yes there are people who truly need assistance , but some of you are confused and need to recheck your facts and turn off the TV , I received an e-nail from a friend , a young lady in Illinois was having her eighth child and the doctor asked her who the breadwinner was in the family, she said her Grandma tells her she is because when she has this baby her Grandma gets foster care $1,500 a month now x that by 7 more then add on housing welfare medical food stamps etc, this chain must be broken as apparently to many people have made this a generational free ride business . Yes if people truly need it that’s OK by me, I am a disabled veteran and have given up many things I used to do because am physically unable but then I see another guy Who had back problems collecting a check putting a new roof on his house , What is wrong with that picture ?
October 18th, 2011 at 5:57 am
Lance Hoefs wrote:
Being prepared is important, but remember how many friends and relatives who you have been warning will be knocking on your door . What will you do ? I have been adding a little here and there as finances permit . I am glad I did as hard times hit when wife got hurt at work and was denied workers comp, we had our supplies and used them for a year and a half , now I am stocking up again , We are trying to build a barter network, also we must think of friends and relatives who are not healthy and try to help them with medicine food and protection . If something Happens our small towns as well as big cities will be shut down NO ONE IN NO ONE OUT per DHS so now what do you do ? hope you have a network, and remember be careful who you trust, as people change when things go bad
October 18th, 2011 at 6:05 am
Sandy Anderson wrote:
I don’t know or understand people who like a friend of mine now deceased who only worked 1 job in their life (Mcdonalds) and made twice as much as I did I have not a clue… I am on disability, and I have several medical issues.I have been on disability for a number of years. I make now a mere $663 a month on disability. When I lived in the south my disability was only a mere $400 a month…WHY? Because when I was working I was making minimum wage doing CNA work back in the day when minimum wage was a mere $3.25 hour. Most of the places I worked in the South sure did not have insurance or any other thing. Many places did not even have a/c for the patients. I get a mere $200 a month on food stamps and I am able to feed both me and my mother on these plus have a “pantry” of stocked up food items. I would say at this point in time that I have probably 2 1/2 months worth of food. Probably the biggest reason for this is because I know how to shop. I purchase things in bulk size by using the warehouse type stores. Did u know that some are even free(without membership fees). In AZ where I live there is a free warehouse store (like Costco or Sams) and it is possible to do this. I also will buy things at the dollar store for stock up. Many of the food banks out here are nothing but pure junk food and little else (at least that was the case about 8 years ago I have not been back since then because I need food not junk(yesterdays doughnuts or brownies by the garbage bagful and many other things like that)…While I do have a pc I received it for Christmas about 7 years ago. While I may look like I drive a nice car it is actually my mothers car not mine (and I do not drive it often). While I may look like I have a wonderful cell phone it is not mine it is my mothers (and hers is just been upgrade hers for the 1st time after having it for 12 years). And if it were not for my mother I would not be able to live in AZ (seriously how am I to live on just $663 a month). I have several disabilities due to the type of job that I chose to work in. Why did I choose this type of career? Because it was what God asked of me… I loved working with the elderly and I learned a great deal from many of them THAT is the reason I am able to stock up on things. While I also know that many abuse the system many do not. So please remember that when you see someone who is on food stamps or disability they may not be abusing the system and if they could they would be working. I know for me I would be if I could simply because if my mother were to die I could not live on what I make (at least not in AZ). Maybe in the south but not here. So please if you seriously KNOW that someone is abusing the system report them but please do not catorgoize all those who are on the system has low lifes. Thank you.
October 18th, 2011 at 11:32 am
Clark Rees wrote:
What an amazing read!!! Thank you very much for sharing this with us.
October 18th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Sandy Anderson wrote:
By the way nice tips however useful they may be.. Does Ready Store allow food stamps for their customers use? It sure would be a great help if they did… I can get some of these type of cans at the local Wal-mart but not nearly the choice line.. So if you do please let me know.
October 18th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Lindsay wrote:
I am a mother of 3 and have an empolyed husband. I am a food stamp reciever. My husband has a 10$ an hour job which is better than most people yes, but you cant just demean people and ASSUME you think you know thier circumstances. Yes I too have seen many people “use the system.” But not EVERYONE who gets food stamps does. A lot of us dont. My husband spends hundreds of dollars just getting to and from work every month! He has to bus an hour and a half there and an hour and a half back, using the bus is much cheaper than driving our vehical! I live an hour away from any major shopping or city in both directions. I live in a very RUAL area! So this puts us out of money! There wopuld be NO WAY i could afford much food for my family if we didnt recieve our food stamps. Now I do spend my food stamps stocking up on food storage! I also take advantage of buying the seeds!! I dont have much room to store it but I have 2 freezers full of frozen goods and meat and I can my own potatoes and other things along with buying lots of canned goods. Im 25 and was raised big on Food storage. I wish companys like this one would accept food stamps for people like me who recieve food stamps to use them on thier food storage products! You all want to chastize people who recieve assistance but wont help us spend our money in wiser places, such as food storage. Or THINK you know what situation a family may be in. Its sad but true that you can be more successful if you dont make much money. To the system 800$ a month for a family of 5 is too much to qualify for cash aid. Tell me how do i pay 650$ in rent and then pay all my utilites and gas and food!? I cant! And internet is the ONLY luxcery I have that is NOT a NECESSITY! So think before you speak. And There would be no way I could get a job and work to help support my family because all of my earnings and most of my hubands would go to pay for childcare. Its 400$ a month per child to go to daycare. And the government program that used to pay for it Community Connection, recently is no longer available and I have been on the waiting list since 05! Now who knows how many more people will have to be at home moms just to SAVE money! I believe we all need at least 3 months worth of storage per person in the home. This site has great suggestions on how to do it too, which is the main reason of this artical not to bash food stamp users. Lets try and stay focused on the real issues.
October 18th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Lindsay wrote:
I agree with SANDY ANDERSON!!!! I WISH YOU WOULD ACCEPT FOOD STAMPS ON HERE!!!! I WOULD BUY!

From The Ready Store:

Lindsay, we are unaware of any food stamp programs that allow for those types of food purchases.

Thanks,

The Ready Store
October 18th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Lindsay wrote:
The Ready Store:
here is some info on the being a food stamp merchant. Check it out, maybe you are eligible to offer such services. Below inthe artical is the phone number that I am certain can direct you in the correct direction.

How Can My Business Accept Food Stamps?

By Julia LeDoux

The United States Department of Agriculture administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–or SNAP, what was known as the food stamp program–through its Food and Nutrition Service division. The program provides assistance to low-income individuals and families so that they may purchase food. The only type of benefit that is currently available through the program is the electronic benefits transfer, or EBT, card.

Merchant Eligibility
In order to be able to accept SNAP benefits, stores must meet certain eligibility requirements and are required to sell food for home preparation and human consumption. Stores must sell at least three different varieties of food from the four staple food groups: bread and grains; dairy products; fruits and vegetables; and meat, poultry and fish. In addition, at least half of a store’s sales must be generated by the four eligible staple food groups.

Request an Application
Merchants must be licensed in order to participate in the SNAP program, and the license is non-transferable. Retailers can apply online to participate in the program by going to the Food and Nutrition Service website (see Resources) or by calling (877) 823-4369.

Application Process
Merchants are required to submit the following information to Food and Nutrition Service in order to be able to accept SNAP benefits at their store: a copy of the current business license in your name; photo identification (such as a driver’s license, passport, military identification card, or official state-issued identification card); and Social Security numbers for each of the businesses owners, partners, corporate officers and their spouses if the business operates in a community property state.

The necessary documentation must then be sent to the Food and Nutrition Service Field Office that is responsible for processing your application. You can locate the office responsible for processing your application by visiting the Food and Nutrition Service web site (see Resources).

Decision Process
It may take Food and Nutrition Service up to 45 days to make a written decision on your application. Following approval, merchants will receive a contract, which they must sign and return in order to be issued the necessary equipment to begin accepting SNAP benefits.

Read more: How Can My Business Accept Food Stamps? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5686908_can-business-accept-food-stamps_.html#ixzz1bAO4P5MD
October 18th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Sandy Anderson wrote:
Ready Store…

IF it can be bought with food stamps (Walmart uses a company from Utah). the Food Storage items at Walmart I do think that you would be able to purchase them elsewhere. I think that one of the biggest things that can not be purchased is in fact Already Heated Items. Other than that there really are not to many restrictions. I am so glad that Lindsay has given you the information. It would be a great way to help those of us who are on food stamps. And by the way most Co-ops (at least the ones that I looked at here in the part of the place I live in AZ) they want $400 plus a month up front… I and many of the people I know can’t afford paying that.. And really do you get that much in return??? I am all for helping the local business and all that.. Only place worth the funds that they want is called Beautiful Bounty.. (here in AZ)..and that is fruits and vegetables.
October 18th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Jennifer wrote:
I don’t mean to sound heartless but it is blowing my mind that you would think about spending your food stamps on thereadystore. Yes everyone should be prepared but the way that I am seeing it is if you have enough money from foodstamps to buy these expensive freeze dried bulk canned products then they are giving you way too much money for “help”. Me and my boyfriend both have full time jobs, and i’m a full time college student, but are on a strict budget. I come to this site occassionaly wishing I could buy these things thinking how much nicer it would be to beable to have meat, vegetables, food, and dairy if there ever was an emergency or food shortage. But nope, because of the outragous amount of money they take out of our paychecks for taxes so we can “help the needy” all we have stocked up is rice and beans. Thanks for rubbing it in my face.

From The Ready Store:

Jennifer, this food might look expensive when you see the cost of a can being in the $20-30 range but you have to realize how many meals you are getting out of them. The average Joe spends 35-40% of their food money each year on dining out and I can guarantee that buying food from those places is exponentially more expensive than buying freeze-dried food.
October 18th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
Sandy Anderson wrote:
Jennifer,

I have bought freezedried in Walmart for storage. It maybe about $10 cheaper however the Walmart line up is very limited in what they serve. It is only things like wheat bread and milk and some fruit and hamburger and chicken (I would say that sparily though). Nothing much.. I would rather pay a place like ready store for the choice of food rather than just buying the same thing. I would spend some of my food stamps with readystore if they would become a food stamp taker just for varitey in storage food. And while the average Joe may spend 35 to 40% eating out in my house we can not afford to eat out that often and I will be the 1st to say that if I eat out once every 4 months that is pushing it.. We don’t have the privallege on a fixed income to do that much. (at least not in AZ where I live because of the COL here).
October 19th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Lindsay wrote:
I dissagree Jennifer,
I think its sad you would think it to be a bad thing that someone would want to spend thier Food Stamps wisely! My husband works full time, pays taxes to “help the needy” as you put it, goes to school full time and I run a small business to make some money. So your story is similar to so many others both recieving food stamps and not. It doesnt make you better than someone recieving services. We all have the same opportunities, we are all just at different points in our lives.I will do whatever it takes to make sure my family of 5 has at least a 3 month supply of food storage. I grew up donating time to companies like this packaging number ten cans. I know its importance and a thing as big as food storage really is priceless. Its not something you can put a pricetag on so therefore I would have no problem buying a can or two a month or even teaming up with other women to buy in bulk, because its cheaper. As it is i spend a quarter of my Food stamps on food storage and if i could I would spend that quarter on places like this site. I have been collecting my food storage for at least 4 years now some paid for with food stamps and some without. Simpy it doesnt matter how you paid for it as long as YOU HAVE IT! You cant or help or change the way someone spends thier government money. But you could be happy there are people like me not spending it unwisely. Who knows you may be knocking on someones door in the future asking to have food, and find out they bought it with food stamps. Good luck with your building your food storage. One can at a time and youll be ther in no time!
October 19th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
James Black wrote:
There is certainly some abuse in the food stamp program. However, I believe that the alternative is unacceptable. We as Americans pride ourselves on always providing a helping hand to those in need, irrespective of color, country, creed or religion. Our first priority should remain to provide an available meal for those at home, and to continue to help those in temporary distress as we are able. We are saddled with the bureaucracy every government program creates to self perpetuate. Inherent in that is the ability to abuse the program. However, it is still a risk/reward proposition. If you are flagrantly cheating Uncle Sam out of any benefits you, will have several other federal police bureaucracies eager to take you down. Your abuse is their job security. There are just so many of you low hanging fruit to not even make it a challenge when disgruntled relatives post infractions on a website.
October 21st, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Morgana wrote:
We have found ourselves on food stamps in our middle age. We could be foreclosed upon any time, although we intend to fight. BUT, I try, each month out of my disability check, to take enough to buy a can or two of stuff for the coming days. This month (Oct.) I could not make it, hopefully Nov. will be easier to out something by. We grew our own garden, but got things in too late for a long-term harvest due to the wacky weather. Any of you who poo-poo the poor as being lazy etc. should try it some time. You’d be surprised how hard it is to live in hard times. We now live below the poverty line, whereas in our youth we were middle-class. There but for the grace of god…be careful whence thou speakest.
October 22nd, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Walter wrote:
I work for the State and County in Florida, and I have to be honest the majority of people we help are from the middle class that have found the economy and the loss of a job to much for their family to handle. The majority enter our facility in the hopes of finding work, only as a last resort have they turned to Food Stamps, and it is with great humility that they consider this option. When you see a family completely broken and have lost hope, then and only then will you know the pain I feel every day I go to work. I wish I had the resources to help, but unfortunately I do not. Last week I was brought to tears as two mothers entered the facility whom had lost their sons in Iraq, they have paid the ultimate sacrifice that a parent can. They both have had a very hard time working through the deaths of their sons, I was honored to assist them with looking for employment and also filing for assistance. To those people that put everyone on food stamps in one category, I wish you would realize that these mothers gave their sons up so you could have the freedom to complain! In other words you can’t judge all by the same stick. Try looking at these people through the lords eye’s. God Bless!
October 23rd, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Cat wrote:
Years ago when I saw capable (not elderly or disabled) looking people on food stamps, I did look down on them as for the most part were the lazies sitting on their collective rears waiting for their hand outs.
BUT
With the economy the way it is, there are way too many people willing but unable to find work! In our small town a factory closed leaving many, many middle aged people unemployed… I now stand ready at the grocery store checkout should the person in front of me run over on what is left on their card. You can always tell who is in need by what they have purchased as far as groceries
Then again I have seen very nice steaks & crab being paid for with food stamps knowing the children in that house will go hungry for their mother’s man/father of their next child that will be gone within a month and I just want to grab them by the throat!
November 11th, 2011 at 2:48 pm

Food Stamps Or Food Storage?

27 Responses to “Food Stamps Or Food Storage?”

Leave a Reply

Categories

Follow Us!

Daily Deal!