A great story Jo. Here in Florida, I see examples like these on almost every trip to the grocery store. It is a shame that there isn’t a better way to control the fraud and waste committed with the use of food stamps and other taxpayer funded services for the needy.
A few years back, I used the food stamp service and I was strickly told that it could only be used for food items only. I am not sure why people are being allowed to purchase alcohol when in this state the reps are required to ask if you have an alcohol or drug problem. Excellent reporting my friend:)
Chris, the margarita mix did not have alcohol in it…it was the non alcoholic mixer that you combine with alcohol. However, alcohol or not, I just don’t understand why something that has 0 nutritional value, isn’t a food source, etc.. could be bought with “food” stamps that are supposed to buy food for those that can’t feed themselves.
That’s a shame. Hope this practice can be adequately controlled, thanks for sharing this post.
tina
On November 17, 2009 at 1:35 am
I dont understand why you give a damn what he had in his cart? who are you to judge the man?
He could have been easily buying the mix and limes for non alcoholic drinks!
not to mention, what about the people who buy Kool aid, Soda, gingerale, and tonic water? all of these items can be mixed with alcohol to make a sweet or interesting drink.
If you have fallen upon hard times and need help, why dont you apply for food stamps and see what YOU end up buying if you know its allowed. I guarantee you say the same thing that he probably was thinking (hey my tax dollars went for these so why not?)
I once saw a man try to buy dog food with food stamps. When he was told he couldn’t he went to the meat department and came back with a stack of steaks for the dog.
Terra
On October 7, 2011 at 10:48 pm
“Judge not, lest ye be judged”. Why do you CARE what other people put in their cart? What if you fell on hard times and wanted something un nutritional from the food stamps you were forced to get? I’m willing to bet youre not perfect. Its people like you that make the world a little intolerable.
Taylor
On December 18, 2011 at 2:20 am
Speaking as someone who receives food stamps, I can’t say how I feel about this. I have a fiance and a 17 month old daughter. Sometimes, at the end of the month (right before our monthly money gets re-filled) we will buy a few “frivolous” items with our leftover money. Keep in mind that this is ONLY after we have provided what our family needs for the month. I CAN say that I have purchased non-alcoholic mix for strawberry daiquiris. All I can say about this purchase is that, my fiance is working 50 hour weeks…we’re both going to school, and we’re raising a 17 month old daughter. Sometimes it’s nice to have “creature comforts” once a month because, well… we feel like we ARE working hard, and seriously…I see people on food stamps buying their children ice cream, cookies, and can upon can of soda. So I feel like my ONE bottle of non-alcoholic mix a month so that my fiance and I can relax and do things we can’t do with our friends because we can’t afford to go to a bar or to a “club”. I don’t know this man, or what he spends the rest of his money on…but I can say that in my life, I work hard, I am trying to provide the best I can for my family, and I do not feel guilty about spending a little of what I have on something that I will enjoy (responsibly of course).
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Post Commentpapaleng
On November 5, 2009 at 5:41 am
such a bad news to see. That’s a disgusting way to show one’s selfish motives.
Petalm
On November 5, 2009 at 7:30 am
Wow, a lesson in social studies.
Phill Senters
On November 5, 2009 at 4:03 pm
A great story Jo. Here in Florida, I see examples like these on almost every trip to the grocery store. It is a shame that there isn’t a better way to control the fraud and waste committed with the use of food stamps and other taxpayer funded services for the needy.
Chris Stonecipher
On November 5, 2009 at 10:51 pm
A few years back, I used the food stamp service and I was strickly told that it could only be used for food items only. I am not sure why people are being allowed to purchase alcohol when in this state the reps are required to ask if you have an alcohol or drug problem. Excellent reporting my friend:)
Jo Oliver
On November 6, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Chris, the margarita mix did not have alcohol in it…it was the non alcoholic mixer that you combine with alcohol. However, alcohol or not, I just don’t understand why something that has 0 nutritional value, isn’t a food source, etc.. could be bought with “food” stamps that are supposed to buy food for those that can’t feed themselves.
Melody SJAL
On November 8, 2009 at 8:53 am
That’s a shame. Hope this practice can be adequately controlled, thanks for sharing this post.
tina
On November 17, 2009 at 1:35 am
I dont understand why you give a damn what he had in his cart? who are you to judge the man?
He could have been easily buying the mix and limes for non alcoholic drinks!
not to mention, what about the people who buy Kool aid, Soda, gingerale, and tonic water? all of these items can be mixed with alcohol to make a sweet or interesting drink.
If you have fallen upon hard times and need help, why dont you apply for food stamps and see what YOU end up buying if you know its allowed. I guarantee you say the same thing that he probably was thinking (hey my tax dollars went for these so why not?)
Until you are in their shoes, dont judge!!!
iworkathome
On February 7, 2010 at 2:21 am
I once saw a man try to buy dog food with food stamps. When he was told he couldn’t he went to the meat department and came back with a stack of steaks for the dog.
Terra
On October 7, 2011 at 10:48 pm
“Judge not, lest ye be judged”. Why do you CARE what other people put in their cart? What if you fell on hard times and wanted something un nutritional from the food stamps you were forced to get? I’m willing to bet youre not perfect. Its people like you that make the world a little intolerable.
Taylor
On December 18, 2011 at 2:20 am
Speaking as someone who receives food stamps, I can’t say how I feel about this. I have a fiance and a 17 month old daughter. Sometimes, at the end of the month (right before our monthly money gets re-filled) we will buy a few “frivolous” items with our leftover money. Keep in mind that this is ONLY after we have provided what our family needs for the month. I CAN say that I have purchased non-alcoholic mix for strawberry daiquiris. All I can say about this purchase is that, my fiance is working 50 hour weeks…we’re both going to school, and we’re raising a 17 month old daughter. Sometimes it’s nice to have “creature comforts” once a month because, well… we feel like we ARE working hard, and seriously…I see people on food stamps buying their children ice cream, cookies, and can upon can of soda. So I feel like my ONE bottle of non-alcoholic mix a month so that my fiance and I can relax and do things we can’t do with our friends because we can’t afford to go to a bar or to a “club”. I don’t know this man, or what he spends the rest of his money on…but I can say that in my life, I work hard, I am trying to provide the best I can for my family, and I do not feel guilty about spending a little of what I have on something that I will enjoy (responsibly of course).