More restaurants are targeting customers who use food stamps

[CaptainAmerica]

The number of businesses approved to accept food stamps grew by a third from 2005 to 2010, U.S. Department of Agriculture records show, as vendors from convenience and dollar discount stores to gas stations and pharmacies increasingly joined the growing entitlement program.

Now, restaurants, which typically have not participated in the program, are lobbying for a piece of the action.

Louisville-based Yum! Brands, whose restaurants include Taco Bell, KFC, Long John Silver's and Pizza Hut, is trying to get restaurants more involved, federal lobbying records show.



http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2011-09-05/More-restaurants-are-targeting-customers-who-use-food-stamps/50267864/1

Coming to a restaurant near you, low tip wages and possibly payed in food stamps. What a wonderful way to damage wages, perpetuate socialism and prop up businesses that don't deserve it.

[pcosmar]

Fiat money is Fiat money. Why should a restaurant turn down money.

Yet the whole concept stinks,, but that is the world we live in.
:(

[CaptainAmerica]

Fiat money is Fiat money. Why should a restaurant turn down money.

Yet the whole concept stinks,, but that is the world we live in.
:( Well if you read the article, you would also know that the restaurants have been lobbying U.S. Congress to implement food stamp programs into their own restaurants.

[VoluntaryAmerican]

Restraunt stamps. Really? CMON!


This is almost as ridiculous as a story my Uncle told me. He came to America from Greece and there if your spouse has allergies they can get disability checks... and their spouse can also get checks to take care of their allergy problem... you know putting eye drops in their eyes and handing them a glass of water to take allergy medicine.

This is what's coming.

[pcosmar]

Well if you read the article, you would also know that the restaurants have been lobbying U.S. Congress to implement food stamp programs into their own restaurants.

They are just trying to get a piece of the pie. Why should the convenience stores get all that government money for their junk food?.
Might as well skip the middleman and let bars accept food stamps too. Most of them sell chips and munchies.

[TheNcredibleEgg]

Papa Murphy's get around the food stamp law locally by selling pizzas that are not cooked. Unlike Domino's - where food stamps are not legal. You pay $5 at Papa Murphy's (with food stamps) and take the pizza home and cook it there.

[EvilEngineer]

Papa Murphy's get around the food stamp law locally by selling pizzas that are not cooked. Unlike Domino's - where food stamps are not legal. You pay $5 at Papa Murphy's (with food stamps) and take the pizza home and cook it there.

ROI is much better on that too. One of the largest costs aside from materials is the energy required to run the ovens at a pizza joint. No ovens = less overhead = more profit.

[heavenlyboy34]

The author of the article made a slight mistake, it seems. This change has not yet taken effect in Arizona (or at least, I haven't heard of it yet).

[CaptainAmerica]

The author of the article made a slight mistake, it seems. This change has not yet taken effect in Arizona (or at least, I haven't heard of it yet). I may make it a point to boycott any restaurant which accepts food stamps.

[iGGz]

The Poors have to eat too

:D

[pcosmar]

I may make it a point to boycott any restaurant which accepts food stamps.

What about the convenience stores and grocery stores that except them? Should they have the monopoly on government script?

[CaptainAmerica]

What about the convenience stores and grocery stores that except them? Should they have the monopoly on government script? I never said that I advocated food stamps. Now you're just spinning the entire topic around .

[heavenlyboy34]

I may make it a point to boycott any restaurant which accepts food stamps.
I think it would be a better use of time and effort to boycott those restaurants that actually lobbied for this. JMO

[CaptainAmerica]

I think it would be a better use of time and effort to boycott those restaurants that actually lobbied for this. JMO I am talking about the ones who lobbied.

[oyarde]

Bad message really . The country is full of working poor who pay taxes and eat at home because it is cheaper . They are supposed to subsidize eating out for others ??

[pcosmar]

I never said that I advocated food stamps. Now you're just spinning the entire topic around .

No I am not. I don't care for food stamps either.
But if they are in place,, why restrict who can and can not accept them for food?

That is what I am pointing out. This just lets food sellers compete for the government script.
Hell it may be the only usable money available soon.

[RileyE104]

Fiat money will be a 100% definite lost cause if Ron Paul isn't elected; hell, it might even be so far gone that not even the good doc can save it.

That being known, I have no problem with people getting as much as they can before the light goes out and there's none left.

[specsaregood]

Fiat money is Fiat money. Why should a restaurant turn down money.
Yet the whole concept stinks,, but that is the world we live in.
:(

It is just a sign of how pisspoor the economy is. As incomes drop, restaurant patronage is dropping as well.

[Brian4Liberty]

In California, EBT cards (food stamp debit cards) have been accepted in restaurants for quite a few years. Just looks like another credit card.

One thing to keep in mind is that the people who need food stamps in general are bad with money by definition. They buy on impulse. If they get a little extra money, they spend it, and don't care about the price or value. Expect more food stamps at steak houses. Many of them are good tippers. Restaurants as businesses like people who spend without regard to price and tip well.

[heavenlyboy34]

In California, EBT cards (food stamp debit cards) have been accepted in restaurants for quite a few years. Just looks like another credit card.

One thing to keep in mind is that the people who need food stamps in general are bad with money by definition. They buy on impulse. If they get a little extra money, they spend it, and don't care about the price or value. Expect more food stamps at steak houses. Many of them are good tippers. Restaurants as businesses like people who spend without regard to price and tip well.
Not necessarily true. At this point in time, even very intelligent and frugal people can't find work-especially younger people. The real unemployment rate is something like 16%. When it's that high, it's likely that some good, hard working people got screwed into long term unemployment. It's really a human tragedy. :( ETA: I wouldn't expect food stamp users to suddenly go on spending sprees. Like the old-fashioned stamps, EBT users only get a certain amount of money per month.

[acptulsa]

I don't think this is about unemployed people. They tend to cook at home.

This is about single parents, and even two income households, who can't feed the kids on their wages because wages aren't even pretending to keep up with inflation, even though the official inflation numbers aren't even pretending to keep up with the cost of living.

This is for the working poor so they don't have to buy extra junk when they crawl to the fast food restaurant with the kids after putting in a full day and overtime, then 'brown bag' it the next day so they can have some lunch. In other words, more corporate welfare--let the government feed your workers so you don't have to pay them a living wage. The government doesn't mind--it just lets them cut off your food if you don't jump through their hoops.

[Brian4Liberty]

Not necessarily true.

Yep, which is why I said "in general". ;)


ETA: I wouldn't expect food stamp users to suddenly go on spending sprees. Like the old-fashioned stamps, EBT users only get a certain amount of money per month.

Having personally known people chronically on public assistance, they have all fit that mold so far (unscientific survey). Money leaves their hands as fast as it is given to them. And any windfall is immediately celebrated with a big, expensive meals and drugs of choice. They are always out of money well before the next check arrives. That type certainly does exist as some percentage of the assistance population, but they are also likely the most "visible". Regular people down are their luck are probably very low key about it, such that most people do not know their situation.

[Brian4Liberty]

In other words, more corporate welfare--let the government feed your workers so you don't have to pay them a living wage.

Hit the nail on the head.

[Ronpauljones]

Either allow fast food restaurants to accept foodstamps or get rid of foodstamps altogether. The way the food game is rigged it is far cheaper to buy fast food than it is to go to a grocery store. It may not be healthy for you, but when you have very little money you have to go with the cheapest options. Very soon it will be either fast food or living on virtually nothing but beans/rice/flour/ramen noodles.

[CaptainAmerica]

It is just a sign of how pisspoor the economy is. As incomes drop, restaurant patronage is dropping as well. Restaurants are just trying to get in on the corporate welfare system.

[Ronpauljones]

Restaurants are just trying to get in on the corporate welfare system.

This. Either let everyone in on the system or get rid of it.

[Brian4Liberty]

Either allow fast food restaurants to accept foodstamps or get rid of foodstamps altogether. The way the food game is rigged it is far cheaper to buy fast food than it is to go to a grocery store. It may not be healthy for you, but when you have very little money you have to go with the cheapest options. Very soon it will be either fast food or living on virtually nothing but beans/rice/flour/ramen noodles.

It depends on what you order at the fast food place. It adds up quick to be more expensive than a meal at a nicer restaurant. The "dollar menu" is just a loss-leader to get customers.

If you want to eat super cheap at home, you can get an 8 pack of hot dogs for a dollar at the grocery store, and eat it with rice or beans and home grown vegetables.

[nobody's_hero]

Yeah, it's getting crazy.

Not really restaurant related but:

Hunt Brothers pizza is sold in convenience stores around the country. I stopped in a local convenience store and noticed a nice memo about how customers on food stamps could purchase the pizza using their stamps. If the convenience store cooks the pizza and sells it to a customer on food stamps, they don't qualify. However, the customer on food stamps can 'purchase the pizzas while they're frozen and then 'ask' the store clerk to cook the pizza for them', and suddenly, that qualifies. Talk about a loophole.

[Ronpauljones]

It depends on what you order at the fast food place. It adds up quick to be more expensive than a meal at a nicer restaurant. The "dollar menu" is just a loss-leader to get customers.

If you want to eat super cheap at home, you can get an 8 pack of hot dogs for a dollar at the grocery store, and eat it with rice or beans and home grown vegetables.

Yeah I meant the dollar menu only. The rest wouldn't make it cheaper at all.

[Ronpauljones]

I've always wondered why you can't get a cold sandwich at Subway with foodstamps. I guess the answer is Subway hasn't payed off enough congressmen yet.

[MRK]

Food for thought: Last week I stocked up for 7 days worth of spaghetti, black beans, green beans, peas, corn and potatoes for $10 in Indianapolis. In Indiana a single person household with $0 of income receives $200 every month with EBT. But I guess it makes sense for them to be able to afford to eat out while they are at home and I am barely able to afford paying my bills while I am working 10 hours a day and can't afford to prepare a meal until I get back home.

[oyarde]

Food for thought: Last week I stocked up for 7 days worth of spaghetti, black beans, green beans, peas, corn and potatoes for $10 in Indianapolis. In Indiana a single person household with $0 of income receives $200 every month with EBT. But I guess it makes sense for them to be able to afford to eat out while they are at home and I am barely able to afford paying my bills while I am working 10 hours a day and can't afford to prepare a meal until I get back home. God Bless MRK .

[oyarde]

Food for thought: Last week I stocked up for 7 days worth of spaghetti, black beans, green beans, peas, corn and potatoes for $10 in Indianapolis. In Indiana a single person household with $0 of income receives $200 every month with EBT. But I guess it makes sense for them to be able to afford to eat out while they are at home and I am barely able to afford paying my bills while I am working 10 hours a day and can't afford to prepare a meal until I get back home. If you ever end up about 40 miles South on the weekend , let me know a few days ahead of time and you are welcome to have dinner at my place with the gal and I .It is bring your own beer on Sunday though .

[libertyjam]

Papa Murphy's get around the food stamp law locally by selling pizzas that are not cooked. Unlike Domino's - where food stamps are not legal. You pay $5 at Papa Murphy's (with food stamps) and take the pizza home and cook it there.

And it is probably better than the pizza you can buy at the supermarket for $5

[heavenlyboy34]

Yep, which is why I said "in general". ;)



Having personally known people chronically on public assistance, they have all fit that mold so far (unscientific survey). Money leaves their hands as fast as it is given to them. And any windfall is immediately celebrated with a big, expensive meals and drugs of choice. They are always out of money well before the next check arrives. That type certainly does exist as some percentage of the assistance population, but they are also likely the most "visible". Regular people down are their luck are probably very low key about it, such that most people do not know their situation.
Interesting. Thanks for telling me about this. FWIW, I suspect that the reason many people go on spending sprees is that if they don't spend the money, the benefits go down. So, in my experience this is an incentive to spend lavishly instead of saving for necessities. I could certainly be wrong-this is just my observation based on the Arizona system.

[RonPaulMall]

Food for thought: Last week I stocked up for 7 days worth of spaghetti, black beans, green beans, peas, corn and potatoes for $10 in Indianapolis. In Indiana a single person household with $0 of income receives $200 every month with EBT. But I guess it makes sense for them to be able to afford to eat out while they are at home and I am barely able to afford paying my bills while I am working 10 hours a day and can't afford to prepare a meal until I get back home.

In fairness though, for somebody who is really down and out, and doesn't have a home, spaghetti and canned vegetables aren't all that useful since they wouldn't have any means to cook them. They could hit up the fruit and nut sections, but allowing homeless folks the ability to get those 59 cent burgers at McDonald's twice a week to supplement their fruits and such would make sense within the context of the program. Now I don't support food stamps or any other sort of coerced social welfare on general principle, but if you accept it exists I think there are scenarios where it makes sense to open up hot food for at least the homeless class of recipients, or maybe those that have homes but don't have electricity (though they could presumably build campfires in their back yard so I'm not so sure about that).