Teach the Poor How to Cook

[Lon]

After observing for a long time what appears to be DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE (Poor) in the supermarket I can't help but notice the use of FOOD STAMPS. I have no problem with that. I also observe that most are pretty fat or grossly obese. I have no problem with that. When I see the fast food and crap that they have in their shopping carts, that's where I have a problem. For the same price or even less, there is within the supermarket, good nutritious meats, pork, fish, veggies and fruit. I have yet to see any fresh veggies & fruit and only occasionally hamburger (mince) or pork. They will overspend on buying packaged Beef Burritos (which I happen to like), frozen Pizza, frozen Chicken Tacos, Macaroni etc. It must be a generational thing, but someone needs to teach these folks how to shop, nutrition and cooking. It really does not cost a lot of money to eat well. When I see a family of 5 at a Fast Food Joint spending $32 on their dinner and they are all jumbos, I just think of all the good stuff I can prepare for the same money and more than just one meal. Oh---I like fast food too.

Any thoughts on this one?

[mikeinie]

[minks]

Originally Posted by Lon

After observing for a long time what appears to be DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE (Poor) in the supermarket I can't help but notice the use of FOOD STAMPS. I have no problem with that. I also observe that most are pretty fat or grossly obese. I have no problem with that. When I see the fast food and crap that they have in their shopping carts, that's where I have a problem. For the same price or even less, there is within the supermarket, good nutritious meats, pork, fish, veggies and fruit. I have yet to see any fresh veggies & fruit and only occasionally hamburger (mince) or pork. They will overspend on buying packaged Beef Burritos (which I happen to like), frozen Pizza, frozen Chicken Tacos, Macaroni etc. It must be a generational thing, but someone needs to teach these folks how to shop, nutrition and cooking. It really does not cost a lot of money to eat well. When I see a family of 5 at a Fast Food Joint spending $32 on their dinner and they are all jumbos, I just think of all the good stuff I can prepare for the same money and more than just one meal. Oh---I like fast food too.

Any thoughts on this one?

those are easy fix meals. ....
perhaps these people are ill educated on nutrition as well
and yes I agree teach them how to cook, and teach them about nutrition.

I know our system is far from perfect here in Canada, but every child learns about our "Canada Food Guide" this is an education on nutrition and for some of us it stays with us for others NO.

Just my thoughts.

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by Lon

After observing for a long time what appears to be DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE (Poor) in the supermarket I can't help but notice the use of FOOD STAMPS. I have no problem with that. I also observe that most are pretty fat or grossly obese. I have no problem with that. When I see the fast food and crap that they have in their shopping carts, that's where I have a problem. For the same price or even less, there is within the supermarket, good nutritious meats, pork, fish, veggies and fruit. I have yet to see any fresh veggies & fruit and only occasionally hamburger (mince) or pork. They will overspend on buying packaged Beef Burritos (which I happen to like), frozen Pizza, frozen Chicken Tacos, Macaroni etc. It must be a generational thing, but someone needs to teach these folks how to shop, nutrition and cooking. It really does not cost a lot of money to eat well. When I see a family of 5 at a Fast Food Joint spending $32 on their dinner and they are all jumbos, I just think of all the good stuff I can prepare for the same money and more than just one meal. Oh---I like fast food too.

Any thoughts on this one?

Gotta agree with you on this one. Until recently I was one of those people. Fast food, call for pizza, lots of finger food that I can eat while watching TV or on the computer. I quit all that and switched to beans, rice, oatmeal and whatever is on sale. Farmers markets help too. I learned to be inventive. Beans and rice can be dressed up with shredded cheese, tomatos etc. Mix oatmeal and instant potatoes half & half. There's no end to the inovations.

[CARLA]

To my knowledge there is no choice involved with the purchase of any food with "Food Stamps". There is a section in my store marked food stamp items. They can't buy cuts of meat usually only chicken, and hamburger meat not much else. You have to buy everything by the book or you pay for it yourself. Bread, Butter, Milk, Cheese, Cereal, all very specific brands and nothing else. That is why it takes so darn long for them to check out every item has to be matched to the food stamp.

[Zapata]

Carla is that true all over? I wasn't aware that they restricted you on types of food, just on non-food items being ineligible.

[Dizz]

California really is that strict. I was on WIC 15 years ago. The stamps said exactly what products and sizes I could get even! It was all name brand and more expensive than the store brand, which I thought was wierd. It was so hard shopping that way that I gave it up and went to the Mission Project which gave away food boxes of misc. items including 5 pounds of corn meal in each!

[Lon]

This following site pertains to the CALIFORNIA FOOD STAMP PROGRAM and explains what foods are eligible. I see no exclusion for meat and poultry.

4. Using food stamps ~ California Food Stamp Guide

[CARLA]

You won't be buying good cuts of meat on these amounts.

[Victoria]

Re the teaching to cook idea.. I thought I saw a program with Jamie Oliver where he tried to do just that.. Most were to lazy or un inspired to use his help though.