Fast Food Restaurants Accepting Food Stamps

[Jhanellsoll]

For a school project i have to post on a social media site a social issue with my stance on it and get peoples honest opinions on it.

My social stance is on fast food resturants accepting food stamp cards. I do not think they should allow this. Food stamps are a necessity for people who can't support their families, fast food is a luxury. I also think that foot stamps should not allow the purchase of junk food, soda, candy, ect.

Please share your stance on this social issue, but please remember that I am using this for a school project so please watch your language. :)

[factor-fiction]

Which country are you in, Jhanellsoll?
In the UK I'm not aware we have food stamps.

[Old_Geezer]

I'm unfamiliar with food stamps. Is that a US thing ? This is a UK site.

Off the top of my head I feel I would be almost on the fence with that scenario. On the one hand food is food so it is being used for the purpose intended. But if the State is paying I can see they may wish to pay for healthy food only. I think I'd come down on the side of it being ok. However there is a difference between candy bars and a "proper" meal. There I'd draw the line.

That said I can't picture these McD/BK type establishments/products as being related to luxury though. They'e just to keep the kids from feeling they aren't missing out surely ?

[carrot99]

I know that my 2 little grandchildren see a trip to McDonald's as a special occasion. For the price of one packet of cigarettes you may buy two Happy Meals, the toy being their favourite part of the meal. The children experience eating in a social setting with strangers and the parent gets a night off from cooking. As long as the children don't eat fast food every day I don't think it is harmful occasionally.

[Iluvspikey]

I agree that food stamps shouldn't be used for fast food, not all fast food is junk, but prohivatively expensive. What I do think is, special kitchens should be set up and people can go and get nutritious meals using basic ingredients, and all be made to take a turn and learn, then take it back to their families and show them how it's done.

[factor-fiction]

I'm sure that some recipients trade in their coupons for cash at below face value so they can then spend the money on whatever they want, including McDonalds. Also, McDs do sell some healthy meals- would someone be allowed to buy a salad?

[EDDIE51]

We have 'healthy start' vouchers , that are issued to mothers with children under 5. They are a bit like food stamps but can only be used for fresh/frozen fruit / vegetables & milk. They can only be used in shops that are registered for the scheme not in resturaunts.

[woofgang]

I think that people should be supported into work and food stamps should not be necessary