The New Republic

Foodstamps: one of the most demonstrably effective public programs in US history. Farm subsidies: huge welfare checks for Republican corporate pig farmers and Big Food (Bush's very first move in office was to hand over 200 billion - yes billion - to them). Distorts the food market, produces tripe that makes us fat and encourages waste of resources. PS I suggest Mr Ryan check out the reponse Newt got to threatening food stamps.

- WandreyCer

March 16, 2011 at 12:49pm

Sounds like a solid plan for the future. Kids can't grow up to be democrats if they're dead, and people who can't afford to take time off from work can't vote Democrat either.

- GSpinks

March 16, 2011 at 12:50pm

You don't want to see hungry Republican farmers, do you, Jonathan?

- liberalref

March 16, 2011 at 12:50pm

The Food Stamp program was initially created not to help poor people but to help farmers. The idea was to provide price supports in order to keep farmers from going bankrupt during the Great Depression by having the guv'mint buy up the excess food commodities and keep the prices stable. Once the guv'mint owned all those excess commodities, it had to find a way to get rid of them....hence, food stqmps for poor people! it had the added benefit of assisting the poor and giving Rethuglicans yet another bogus opportunity to bash welfare recipients and socislism. yes, it is socialism, but socialism for farmers, not poor people.

- desertdog

March 16, 2011 at 1:13pm

Can the indignation, poor people in America have a higher ratio of obesity than rich. Food is not the issue, proper nutrition is. Our food stamp program is a disgrace because it does not limit the food you can buy (WIC gets more bang for the buck, but even then the restrictions there means much goes to waste as well) So with food stamps people live in nutrition deserts and buy ho hos with food stamps, and for things like WIC people only get Lima beans or cereals that kids won't eat and will sit in the cupboard unused. Given the choice though I would rid America of food stamps and replace it with WIC, which would save a lot of money and promote better nutrition. MILK Type and size specified on check Fluid milk: Least expensive brand, Fat Free, 1% Lowfat NO flavored milk or buttermilk Only when specified on check: Fluid milk: Least expensive brand, 2% Reduced Fat milk, Whole milk Evaporated or dry milk: Any Brand , Whole, Lowfat or Fat Free Long-Life milk: Any brand, Whole, Lowfat, or Fat Free Lactose free milk: Any brand (Example: Lactaid) CHEESE One package only, up to 16 ounces Any brand, American, Colby, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella or Muenster Mozzarella String cheese allowed NO deli cheese NO sliced cheese (except American) NO, shredded or imported cheese, cheese food/product/spread, individually wrapped slices, snack packs, or flavored cheese EGGS Least expensive brand: Grade A Large brown or white PEANUT BUTTER 16 to 18 ounce jars Any brand, Creamy or Chunky NO flavored, reduced fat, or peanut butter spreads DRIED PEAS OR BEANS 1 pound bag Any brand or type CANNED BEANS 15.5 ounce or 16 ounce cans Plain, mature beans, peas or lentils Goya or Store Brand NO green beans, wax beans or green peas *NO Organic Milk, Cheese, Eggs, Peanut Butter or Beans allowed. JUICE 100% fruit juice only. Type and size specified on check. Frozen 11.5 or 12 ounce cans: Apple: Big Y, Flavorite, Hannaford, IGA, Market Basket, Parade, Red & White, Richfood, Shaws, Shurfine, Seneca (red cans, Granny Smith, Country Style), Stop & Shop, White Rose Grapefruit: Any brand Grape: Big Y, Hannaford, Seneca, Shaws, Stop & Shop, Shurfine, Welch’s (yellow pull-strip can only) Mixed blend: Dole 100% juice Pineapple Orange Banana, Pineapple Orange Strawberry, Orange Peach, Mango, Orange Strawberry Banana Orange: Any brand Pineapple: Dole, Market Basket, Stop & Shop Pineapple/Orange: Any brand White Grape/White Grape blends: Welch’s (yellow pull-strip can only) 64 ounce plastic bottle 100% fruit juice varieties only NAME BRANDS: Juicy Juice - any flavor Langers – Apple, Apple Cranberry, Apple Cranberry Grape, Apple Grape, Apple Orange Pineapple, Berry, Grape, Pineapple, Punch, Red Grape, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Tomato, Vegetable, White Grape, White Grapefruit Welch’s – Purple Grape, Red Grape, White Grape STORE BRANDS: Approved flavors must state: “100% juice” AND “120% Vitamin C” on the label. Best Yet, Big Y, Hannaford, IGA, Price Chopper, Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Shaws, Shurfine, White Rose CEREALS National Brand Cereals: (Bolded cereals are whole grain) 12 ounce boxes or larger, NO single serving packets. These brands only: Cheerios ( plain, Multi Grain) Chex (General Mills – Corn, Wheat, Rice, Multi-Bran) Cream of Wheat (1 minute, 2 ½ minute, 10 minute) Cream of Wheat Whole Grain - 2 ½ minute Farina Grape Nuts Grape Nut Flakes Kellogg’s Complete All-Bran Wheat Flakes Kellogg’s Corn Flakes (plain only) Kellogg’s Crispix Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Kellogg’s Mini Wheats Frosted, bite size Kellogg’s Mini Wheats Frosted, original Kellogg’s Special K Kix Maltex Maypo (Maple, Instant, Vermont Style) Post Banana Nut Crunch Post Honey Bunches of Oats (Honey Roasted) Post Honey Bunches of Oats (Almond) Post Honey Bunches of Oats – Vanilla Bunches Quaker Instant Grits (original flavor) Quaker Life (plain) Quaker Oatmeal Squares (Hint of Brown Sugar) Total Wheaties (plain) Store Brand Cereals: (Bolded cereals are whole grain) Bran Flakes: Big Y, Great Value, Hannaford, IGA, Market Basket, Ralston, Red & White, Richfood, Shaws, Shurfine, Stop & Shop Corn Flakes: Best Yet, Big Y, Market Basket, Flavorite, Great Value, Hannaford, IGA, Price Chopper, Ralston, Red & White, Richfood, Shaws, Shurfine, Stop & Shop, White Rose Crisp Rice: Best Yet, Big Y, Market Basket, Great Value, Hannaford, IGA, Ralston, Red & White, Richfood, Shaws, Shurfine, Stop & Shop, White Rose Frosted Shredded Wheat: Best Yet, Market Basket, Hannaford, Ralston, Richfood, Shaws, Shurfine, Stop & Shop Nutty Nuggets: Great Value, Hannaford, IGA, Market Basket, Price Chopper, Red & White, Richfood, Shaws, Shurfine, Stop & Shop Oats & More with Almonds: Hannaford, IGA, Market Basket, Richfood, Shaws, Shurfine, Stop & Shop Oats & More with Honey: Great Value, Hannaford, IGA, Market Basket, Richfood, Shaws, Shurfine, Stop & Shop Square-Shaped Corn Cereal/Rice Cereal: Big Y, Market Basket, Great Value, Hannaford, IGA, Price Chopper, Richfood, Shaws, Shurfine, Stop & Shop Square-Shaped Wheat Biscuits: Hannaford, Great Value, Shurfine Tasteeo’s/Toasted Oats: Best Yet, Big Y, Flavorite, Great Value, Hannaford, IGA, Price Chopper, Market Basket, Ralston, Red & White, Richfood, Shaws, Shurfine, Stop & Shop, White Rose Whole Grain 100: Hannaford, Market Basket, Price Chopper, Stop & Shop Fruits & Vegetables: Fresh Fruits & Vegetables * Any variety of fresh vegetables and fruits * Bagged salad mixtures, bagged vegetables * Whole or cut NO: White potatoes*, items from the salad bar, party trays, fruit baskets, dried fruit, decorative vegetables and fruits (chilies, garlic on a string, etc), painted pumpkins, nuts, including peanuts, fruit/nut mixtures, herbs, spices, salad dressing, croutons Frozen Vegetables * Any brand and size * Any plain vegetable, plain vegetable mixtures (without white potatoes*) * Beans of any kind * Any package type (bag, box) * With or without salt NO: white potatoes*, french fries, hash browns, tater tots, other shaped potatoes, vegetables with sauces (cheese sauce, teriyaki sauce, buttered, seasoned, breaded, etc), vegetables mixed with pasta, rice, or any other ingredient, added fat, oil, sugar Frozen Fruits * Any brand with no added sugar * Any plain fruit, plain fruit mixtures NO: fruits with added sugar, ingredients other than fruit, artificial sweeteners Canned Vegetables * Any brand and size * Any plain vegetable, plain vegetable mixtures (without white potatoes*) * Any container type (metal, plastic, glass) * Regular, low sodium NO: white potatoes*, pickled (sauerkraut), creamed vegetables (including corn), or sauced vegetables, baked beans, pork & beans, and canned or dried beans/peas purchased with your regular WIC check, soups, ketchup, relishes, olives, vegetables with added sugar, fats, oils Canned Tomato Products * Any brand and size * Metal cans only * Pastes, purees, whole, crushed tomatoes NO: soups, salsa, sauces (pizza, spaghetti, or tomato), ketchup, stewed and diced tomatoes, added sugars, seasonings, fats, oils Canned Fruits * Any brand and size packed in water or juice * Any plain fruit, plain fruit mixtures (except fruit cocktails) * Any container type (metal, plastic, glass) * Applesauce –‘no sugar added’ or ‘unsweetened’ varieties only * 100% canned pumpkin NO: fruit cocktails, cranberry sauce, pie fillings, any syrup (heavy, light, ‘naturally light’, extra light, etc.), added sugar (‘lightly sweetened in fruit juice’, etc.) nectar, added salt, fat, oils, products with artificial sweeteners * White potatoes are any potatoes other than sweet potatoes and orange yams. Whole Grain Options: WHOLE GRAIN BREAD 16 ounce package Arnold: Stone Ground 100% Whole Wheat Bread, Select Wheat Sandwich Rolls Bimbo: 100% Whole Wheat Bread Gold Medal: Wheat with Flax Bread Country Kitchen: 100% Whole Wheat, Wheat Italian Pepperidge Farm: Stone Ground 100% Whole Wheat Bread, Very Thin Slice Soft 100% Whole Wheat Bread, Whole Grain Rye Seeded Bread Sunbeam: 100% Whole Wheat Bread Wonder: 100% Soft Whole Wheat Bread Store Brands: Big Y, Hannaford, Market Basket Wheat with Flax Bread, Shaws (No Salt Added Bread,) Shaws Wheat with Flax Bread, Stop & Shop Wheat with Flax Bread, Stop & Shop 100% Whole Wheat Bread (No Salt Added) TORTILLAS 16 ounce package Soft Corn Tortillas or Whole Wheat Tortillas Big Y, Chi-Chi’s, Don Pancho, Hannaford, La Banderita, Market Basket, Mayan Farms, Mission, Nature’s Promise, Ortega (Wraps not allowed) BROWN RICE 14 - 16 ounce package Any brand, Regular, Quick or Instant Soy Options: TOFU 14 - 16 ounce package Nasoya: Cubed Super Firm Tofu, Firm Tofu, Lite Firm Tofu, Lite Silken Tofu, Soft Tofu (Organic tofu allowed) SOY MILK Pacific Natural Foods Ultra Soy (shelf stable, quart) – Plain and Vanilla only 8th Continent Original Soymilk (refrigerated, half gallon container) - Plain and Vanilla only INFANT FORMULA Brand, size and form listed on check INFANT CEREAL 8 ounce box Beech Nut Cereal: Rice, Oatmeal, Barley or Multigrain – plain cereal without fruit or formula BABY FOOD – FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Beech Nut – 4 ounce jar Stage 2 Fruits: ‘Single Fruit’ & ‘Combination Single Fruit’ only: Chiquita Bananas; Pears; Applesauce; Apples & Bananas; Apples, Pears and Bananas; Chiquita Bananas & Strawberries; Apricots with Pears & Apples; Apples, Mango & Kiwi; Pears & Pineapples; Apples & Cherries; Pears & Raspberries; Apples & Blueberries. Stage 2 Vegetables: “Single Vegetable’ & Combination Single Vegetable’ only: Tender Young Green Beans,Tender Sweet Carrots; Tender Sweet peas; Tender Golden Sweet Potatoes; Squash; Corn & Sweet Potatoes; Country Garden Vegetables: Mixed Vegetables; Sweet Potatoes & Apples. BABY FOOD – MEATS Beech Nut – 2.5 ounce jar NO DHA PlusTM allowed. Stage 1: Beef and Beef Broth, Chicken and Chicken Broth, Turkey and Turkey Broth For Fully Breastfeeding Women Only:* TUNA 5 ounce can Any brand, Chunk light packed in water PINK SALMON 5 or 6 ounce cans Any brand, Pink Salmon packed in water or oil, skin and bones allowed SARDINES 3.75 ounce can Any brand, packed in water or oil, skin and bones allowed, flavorings allowed BREAD 24 ounce package Arnold: Whole Grain Classic 100 % Whole Wheat Bread Pepperidge Farm: Whole Grain 100% Whole Wheat Bread Wonder: 100 % Stoneground Whole Wheat Bread *Items will be specified on WIC check.

- blackton

March 16, 2011 at 2:52pm

Um, that was the longest blog comment not by a crazy person I've ever seen. Even ignoring the generally terrible idea of federal farm programs, there's the fact that this move is being made as the prices of many food commodities are rising sharply. One would think it'd be a political loser to endorse a program to support farmers while they're benefiting hugely from growing BRIC demand and tight global supply. But food stamps are income redistribution, which is bad, whereas farm programs are pro-business policy, which is good.

- acbrod

March 16, 2011 at 3:45pm

I concede that proper nutrition is the issue, but I don't recall there being many ho-ho's in my meal plan growing up. And I would have to agree that more effort on delivering nutritious food a la WIC and less effort on putting cash in peoples' hands is warranted, but not because I think poor people have problems not blowing their food-stamps on ho-ho's and tubs of ice cream. BTW, WIC cereal was King Vitamin back in the day, a Cap'n Crunch knock off that was pretty decent.

- GSpinks

March 16, 2011 at 5:05pm

GSpinks, my point is that limiting the food selection to that which is nutritious can save money, and is in fact what is being proposed by Republicans. You would never get that from Chait, the only reason I read it is because I read what the Republicans said, that they want to limit the selection, which would save money and be better. Chait deliberately mischaracterized what is being proposed to make it seem Republicans want people to starve to death. Or he doesn't know, but what I have read is that Republicans want to limit what can be bought, which can save money and be better for people. So why the lie? Oh, right, because Republicans are always evil. As to farm supports, of course we need them. If China or Brazil has a massive surplus prices could plummet, try starting up a sustainable farm sometime.

- blackton

March 16, 2011 at 6:00pm

What an extraordinary post. I presume people are on food stamps because they can't afford to buy food. Do they think these people are eating too much food?

- IggyPop

March 16, 2011 at 7:40pm

iggy, no Republicans are saying they are eating the wrong kind of food. Obesity among the poor is very high in the states. People use food stamp to buy high calorie, low nutrition junk, limit their choices as is done in WIC and you will save a lot of money (pasta that can feed a family cost less than a snickers bar, so why let people buy snickers bars) again, Chait and you are being disingenuous since you are not reading the actual proposal laid out by Republicans. I read it on another site and one liberal was saying, what, people don't deserve cake or ice cream once in a while. Of course they do, but they can pay for it with their own discretionary income, and if you can't afford a treat now and again, you are in a lot worse shape than an occasional treat will remedy.

- blackton

March 16, 2011 at 9:30pm

iggy, no Republicans are saying they are eating the wrong kind of food. Obesity among the poor is very high in the states. People use food stamp to buy high calorie, low nutrition junk, limit their choices as is done in WIC and you will save a lot of money (pasta that can feed a family cost less than a snickers bar, so why let people buy snickers bars) again, Chait and you are being disingenuous since you are not reading the actual proposal laid out by Republicans. I read it on another site and one liberal was saying, what, people don't deserve cake or ice cream once in a while. Of course they do, but they can pay for it with their own discretionary income, and if you can't afford a treat now and again, you are in a lot worse shape than an occasional treat will remedy.

- blackton

March 16, 2011 at 9:30pm

Thanks to Blackton for the clarification. Unfortunately, to be truly effective, SNAP reform would be coordinated with efforts to eliminate food deserts in big cities (all too often, Ho Hos are about all you can find to buy), but that would be too Big Government for the big government, and local governments or groups that care enough don't have the funds. (Of course, if SNAP were aimed at a Republican-leaning demographic, any attempts to reform it would be met with "keep government out of my food stamps!" and dire warnings about gubmint bureaucrats telling us what we can eat.)

- frippo

March 17, 2011 at 11:30am

Actually, Michelle Obama's anti-obesity campaign is already being decried as the government's not letting us eat cake. She should appropriate Republican SNAP reform, and then we can see how quickly the right turns against it.

- frippo

March 17, 2011 at 11:42am