May 24, 2013

Weather

Fair

62°
Feels Like: 62 °
Conditions at Madison, Dane County Regional-Truax Field, WI
Save Email Print Bookmark and Share
A A

UPDATE: Opposition to Bill on Food Stamps for Junk Food

UPDATED Tuesday, April 9, 2013 --- 1:13 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin food industry leaders say the state shouldn't tell food stamp users how to eat healthy.

At a public hearing Tuesday at the Capitol, Brandon Scholz of the Wisconsin Grocers Association criticized a bill that would block food stamp users from buying items like chips, soda and candy bars.

Scholz said the bill would create an embarrassing and even contentious moment where cashiers have to tell people what they can't buy.

Rep. Dean Kaufert, a Republican from Neenah, sponsors the bill. He says it's intended to promote healthy eating.

Other opponents of the bill said it would be impossible to keep up with the thousands of new products each year to tell which are junk food and which aren't.

Copyright 2013: Associated Press

____________________________________

Posted: Monday, March 18, 2013 -- 6:45 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Wisconsin state lawmaker has a plan to get food stamp users to eat healthier -- whether they want to or not.

The proposal's author, Republican Representative Dean Kaufert, said he wants people to spend more of their aid on foods with more nutritional value, such as bread and soups, and less on things like snacks and chips.

The proposal would have the state Department of Health Services set up guidelines that require a certain amount of benefits be spent on healthy foods.

Health experts say such requirements are unfair and probably wouldn't work.

Copyright 2013: Associated Press

Next Story >

Comments (7)

By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.

Read Comments

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
  • by Jenny Location: Milwaukee on May 8, 2013 at 11:47 AM
    As tax payers we should all be aware that we are allowing people to purchase chips, soda and cake with public funds. These are often times the same people who are on state/federally funded insurance programs like Medicaid, Medicare and Badgercare. The sad truth is that as a society we are paying for their cake and then turning around and paying for their insulin when they become diabetic, their dialysis when they have renal failure, their amputations due to diabetic complications, their power scooters, their nursing facilities. Above and beyond the cost in dollars, the quality of life for people in their later years is significantly diminished in a large part because of their publicly funded poor food choices.
    [ Report Abuse ]
  • by raven Location: scott on Apr 15, 2013 at 07:52 AM
    Sounds like our grocery cashier needs to get a new job. Those people using the food cards are helping to pay your wages. It's not up to you decide what they eat or do not eat. The problem with saying only healthy food its more expensive. Mac and cheese can go a long way in feeding a family compared to meat products, and frozen goods.
    [ Report Abuse ]
  • by theresa Location: morrisonville on Apr 12, 2013 at 11:41 AM
    Yes, there is abuse as with any program. It makes it harder on those who need to use them. Whether or not they use the food stamps to buy cookies, candy or pop is none of your business, regardless if you are a cashier, packer or member of government. Forcing someone using food stamps to get a drug test is not a good idea. Do you actually believe the majority of food stamp users are proud to be using them? Walk a mile in their shoes. Maybe, just maybe, there was a reason for that person to buy that $25 pre-made cake. Think about it before opening your mouth next time. I've been there, having to use food stamps. Not proud, but it happened.
    [ Report Abuse ]
  • by grocery cashier Location: madison on Apr 11, 2013 at 01:02 PM
    having worked in a grocery store it was "sickening" checking out people on food stamps. They ate better than I did- buying pre-made birthday cakes that cost $25.00, while I cut coupons to buy a Betty Crocker cake mix/frosting. They should also have to have a drug test.
    [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Anonymous on Apr 10, 2013 at 09:13 AM
    So you guys are saying that those on food stamps are not people who work hard as well and deserve soda or chips at all, give me a break, eating healthy is expensive as it is, I agree they should eat better, but who are we to judge until you have been in their shoes
    [ Report Abuse ]
  • by beg2differ Location: Madison on Apr 9, 2013 at 04:03 PM
    If people on food stamps want to eat chips and drink soda, they can pay for it. Were does this sense of entitlement come from? What is next- it isn't fair that they have to trade their friends their food stamps for cash so they can buys cigarettes and alcohol? We all know people do it.
    [ Report Abuse ]
  • by imbobim Location: upnorth on Apr 9, 2013 at 03:14 PM
    You have to qualify to receive food stamps... thus that is Rule#1... Rule#2, NO JUNK FOOD!
    [ Report Abuse ]

NBC15 News Videos