>

I can see the argument for not allowing foods that have no real nutritional value, or limiting how much you can spend on them (everyone needs a treat now and then-- I'm not going to fuss over someone on food stamps getting a cake for their kid's birthday-- but I have-- rarely-- seen someone spend their entire card on soda to use as a bartering chip. I understand why someone would need cash that badly and I get it, but...) 
I also, incidentally, think SNAP should also have an allowance for sanitary essentials-- soap, tampons, detergent, etc.
But just going to the WIC list is way too restrictive. WIC is meant to make sure you get a little extra nutrition, not to be your entire diet. And I doubt these idiots are going to account for the fact that WIC makes allowances for dietary restrictions; you can get lactose-free milk on WIC if someone in your home is lactose intolerant, for example.
Oh my lord. They are making sure 'the poor folk' don't eat like rich folk on our dime. So....no slice cheese, or fresh meat, or anything that makes you feel like you are feeding your family the best you can. If you feel like a charity case...then that's exactly what they want! So sad. >

Why would i want my tax dollars being wasted on the ridiculous price increase of pre-sliced cheese. I'm glad they are getting what they need, but it should be what they need. You don't need pre-sliced fucking cheese, the others are less rich vs. poor and more healthy vs unhealthy. >


Why would i want my tax dollars being wasted on the ridiculous price increase of pre-sliced cheese.

I looked at this, the price difference is minimal.  I found that it is cheaper per-serving because pre-sliced is thinner and even compared to what I can do by hand.
I can make a lot more grilled cheese sandwiches with pre-sliced marble cheese than I can getting a block and slicing myself.  Around a dollar per kilogram ($0.50 per pound) difference in price.  Price per sandwich, it is worth it.
Nutrition per slice/sandwich is simplier to calculate too, the label actually works..
As for healthy vs unhealthy..
ONLY processed foods are on the list..
Baking soda, baking powder, bags of flour, corn starch, bags of sugar, are not.
Can buy bread and tortillas, but not make your own, this throws "healthy" vs "unhealthy" out the window..  Unless you are also going to argue that processed food is healthier. >

pre-sliced is like 50% more expensive and buy a cheese knife. >

Oh thanks good advice. I’m sure the people living out of their car who don’t have a kitchen or any cooking utensils to speak of will go right out and buy a cheese knife >

Listen here you poor fucks, you wanna consume fucking cheese, you're gonna slice that shit your fucking selves. What next, you want us to give you tuna that's already canned and ready to eat? Fuck that. Here's a government approved fishing rod made from the shit plywood from Home Depot and a shoelace, go fish for your own tuna, you fucking scags.
Seriously though, why do Republicans always have to be dicks about everything? >

"Why are the slaves being happy?" >

What confuses me is why they modeled the restrictions from the WIC approved foods list. Which is literally a list of foods by brand that are allowed. For breakfast, they allow cereals by General mills, Kellogg's, or Post. And only certain varieties from each brand.
Why does a food list for the financially restricted not allow for cheaper generic alternatives? The 'strawberry multi grain bar' is nearly nutritionally identical weather its nature valley or no name, no? >

If that’s the specific case I’d assume the company paid policy makers for that privilege >

Yeah, I'd guess bribes. >

I'm surprised they didn't single out those bags of grated cheese.. Would fit with their goal to Make America Grate Again. >

No fresh meat only canned fish. Didn't know Iowa Republicans were pescatarians. >

No white rice or refried beans?   Hum, I wonder who they're targeting >

Its not even the craziest of the restrictions they're proposing:
No white grains — people can only purchase 100% whole wheat bread, brown rice and 100% whole wheat pasta.
No baked, refried or chili beans — people can purchase black, red and pinto beans.
No fresh meats — people can purchase only canned products like canned tuna or canned salmon.
No sliced, cubed or crumbled cheese. No American cheese. >

Not just that, but specific products from specific brands..
They have list of which 100% whole wheat breads you can purchase.
Almost surprised they don't list the specific UPCs in their document.. >

I bet those brands donated to those politicians >

That was my thinking to..  There is a special reason they are on the list.. >

No...fresh...meat
Wtf, you can easily buy fresh meat that you can portion for more meals at a cheaper per meal cost then canned meat.
Also, no white rice? Holy shit, that's like what 90% of the poorest people in the world eat. It's cheap and has nutritional value. 
I'm floored. >

Looks like I'm not going to Iowa. >

That's what they are hoping for. >

Said it before and I'll say it again: Republicans are just plain evil. >

I know this isn't the onion but, this can't be the whole story can it? Like the article has to be some heavily slanted hyperbolic lobbyist hitpiece over a subsidy reduction or some other dumb noise, right? RIGHT?! >

Can’t have poor people eating after all >

I can see the argument for not allowing foods that have no real nutritional value, or limiting how much you can spend on them (everyone needs a treat now and then-- I'm not going to fuss over someone on food stamps getting a cake for their kid's birthday-- but I have-- rarely-- seen someone spend their entire card on soda to use as a bartering chip. I understand why someone would need cash that badly and I get it, but...) 
I also, incidentally, think SNAP should also have an allowance for sanitary essentials-- soap, tampons, detergent, etc.
But just going to the WIC list is way too restrictive. WIC is meant to make sure you get a little extra nutrition, not to be your entire diet. And I doubt these idiots are going to account for the fact that WIC makes allowances for dietary restrictions; you can get lactose-free milk on WIC if someone in your home is lactose intolerant, for example. >


WIC is meant to make sure you get a little extra nutrition

If someone isn't working where does the other money for food come from? >

MO tried to limit cheese because one of our representatives saw a poor woman buying a block of blue cheese with food assistance.   I think it even passed.  However, government subsidies do not end up in the pockets of the poors.  It ends up in the pockets of the manufactures and the  distributers.   Dairy farmers complained that this law could hurt sales so the legislature passed another law to overturn it.   
This is the same way I get Section 8 rent money.  My tenants do not see the money at all.   It is direct deposited into my bank.   And the Covid rent assistance is the same way.  I have tenants who got 3 to 6 months of rent covered by assistance 3 to 5 times.   They saw none of that money.   They benefit by not having to pay their own money.   Covid assistance keeps them from being evicted for non-payment.   You might think that when they also work during this period that they could save up and not be paycheck to paycheck all the time but I have not seen this happen.   
What this means is that to vote for my interests, no matter how I feel about it, I must vote for candidates who will continue to fund social welfare because that is part of my income. >

The problem with saving money when in their situation is getting aid dropped before they are actually financially independent. 
Aid almost always drops off before people using it are able to make enough to be self sufficient. So they either A try to make more money and have a shit time of it, or B figure out how much they can make to not get kicked off aid. 
And for the B people, I don't blame them. They're in a shit situation and the system is not designed to actually help them get out of it. >

Let them eat Iowa Republicans >

No...fresh...meat
Wtf, you can easily buy fresh meat that you can portion for more meals at a cheaper per meal cost then canned meat.
Also, no white rice? Holy shit, that's like what 90% of the poorest people in the world eat. It's cheap and has nutritional value. 
I'm floored.
Edit: just to be clear, this is always the Republicans game plan. Squeeze and choke programs till they bairly work and then claim that they need to be shut down due to inefficiency. >

And beans! The nutritional value of beans makes one think wtaf. I'm surprised they didn't remove potatoes while they're at it >

But they can get beans, they just have to be plain dried beans, and if I am not mistaken.
Edit: I do not agree with any of this >


they just have to be plain dried beans

Just effing perfect for some below minimum wage single mom working one and a half poverty-trap jobs that wants to spend 16 hours soaking bullet-hard beans before she can prepare her daily gruel.
This couldn't be more intentional if they tried. >

Their goal is to punish the poor so that "they will decide not to be poor anymore" or starve to death because they can't get any help. >

Their goal isn’t to punish the poor, it’s to genocide the poor. This what Class War looks like! >

The goal isn't to punish the poor.  The goal is to make it look like they are doing something because of the myth of people on SNAP buying lobster on a regular basis.  The side effect of this is punishing the poor. >

What confuses me is why they modeled the restrictions from the WIC approved foods list. Which is literally a list of foods by brand that are allowed. For breakfast, they allow cereals by General mills, Kellogg's, or Post. And only certain varieties from each brand.
Why does a food list for the financially restricted not allow for cheaper generic alternatives? The 'strawberry multi grain bar' is nearly nutritionally identical weather its nature valley or no name, no? >

If that’s the specific case I’d assume the company paid policy makers for that privilege >

Yeah, I'd guess bribes. >


lobbying

Gotta make it sound reasonable so it doesn't sound like a collusion so people don't question if it should be illegal.. >

Listen here you poor fucks, you wanna consume fucking cheese, you're gonna slice that shit your fucking selves. What next, you want us to give you tuna that's already canned and ready to eat? Fuck that. Here's a government approved fishing rod made from the shit plywood from Home Depot and a shoelace, go fish for your own tuna, you fucking scags.
Seriously though, why do Republicans always have to be dicks about everything? >

A better question is, why do republicans keep getting re-elected?!? >

Gerrymandering. Stack the odds in your favor so heavily that you can’t lose if you tried, then pretend it’s the will of the voters. >

Oh my lord. They are making sure 'the poor folk' don't eat like rich folk on our dime. So....no slice cheese, or fresh meat, or anything that makes you feel like you are feeding your family the best you can. If you feel like a charity case...then that's exactly what they want! So sad. >

Why would i want my tax dollars being wasted on the ridiculous price increase of pre-sliced cheese. I'm glad they are getting what they need, but it should be what they need. You don't need pre-sliced fucking cheese, the others are less rich vs. poor and more healthy vs unhealthy. >


Why would i want my tax dollars being wasted on the ridiculous price increase of pre-sliced cheese.

I looked at this, the price difference is minimal.  I found that it is cheaper per-serving because pre-sliced is thinner and even compared to what I can do by hand.
I can make a lot more grilled cheese sandwiches with pre-sliced marble cheese than I can getting a block and slicing myself.  Around a dollar per kilogram ($0.50 per pound) difference in price.  Price per sandwich, it is worth it.
Nutrition per slice/sandwich is simplier to calculate too, the label actually works..
As for healthy vs unhealthy..
ONLY processed foods are on the list..
Baking soda, baking powder, bags of flour, corn starch, bags of sugar, are not.
Can buy bread and tortillas, but not make your own, this throws "healthy" vs "unhealthy" out the window..  Unless you are also going to argue that processed food is healthier. >

pre-sliced is like 50% more expensive and buy a cheese knife. >


pre-sliced is like 50% more expensive and buy a cheese knife.

Shop around, it doesn't have to be.

Marble Cheddar Cheese Slices 1 kg (2.2 lb)

$17

Marble Cheddar Cheese Block 1.15 kg (2.5 lb)

$16 >

The closest grocery store to me is $1.99 for an 8 ounce block of cheese while 8 ounces of the same sliced cheese is.... $1.99. >

Interesting...  What kind of cheese is that? >

...all of their store brands. Swiss, cheddar (mild through extra sharp,) mozz, muenster... there's like a dozen different varieties and they're all the same cost for eight ounces either in a block or sliced. >

Damn..
Not around here.. >

Is this part of that "you're gonna birth that baby but don't you even think we're gonna help with feeding it" kind of thing they've been rolling with for the past while? Why is aborting a fetus bad but starving children is good? Is this what Jesus wanted for us to do? >

No white rice or refried beans?   Hum, I wonder who they're targeting >

Its not even the craziest of the restrictions they're proposing:
No white grains — people can only purchase 100% whole wheat bread, brown rice and 100% whole wheat pasta.
No baked, refried or chili beans — people can purchase black, red and pinto beans.
No fresh meats — people can purchase only canned products like canned tuna or canned salmon.
No sliced, cubed or crumbled cheese. No American cheese. >

No white rice... is white rice more expensive than brown or is it a nutrition thing. Either way it makes no sense. It's a core carb of like over half the planet.... >

They think that they have the right to dictate that poor people eat healthy because...I guess just because they can. >

If this was about "eating healthy" why would they ban fresh meat?? >

Nothing they do makes sense anymore >

I'm surprised they didn't single out those bags of grated cheese.. Would fit with their goal to Make America Grate Again. >

I can't tell if you're making a joke... because if you aren't then you're the one who obviously didn't read >

Quoting the actual list that you didn't read:
"Any brand in 8 ounce or 16 ounce packages
● Chunk, shredded or Mozzarella string cheese
● Natural and domestic cheeses including Cheddar, Colby, Colby-
Jack, Monterey Jack, and Mozzarella
● Includes varieties such as medium, sharp, extra sharp
● 2% milk, low-fat, and fat free natural cheeses are also allowed >

I'm talking about the joke comment YOU replied to buddy. It had nothing to do with the article. Just a riff on MAGA >

I know this isn't the onion but, this can't be the whole story can it? Like the article has to be some heavily slanted hyperbolic lobbyist hitpiece over a subsidy reduction or some other dumb noise, right? RIGHT?! >

No. Am Iowan, can confirm. The republican legislature wants to limit SNAP benefits to only cover the extremely limited foodstuff also covered by WIC. Identically.
So, if passed, Iowans receiving SNAP benefits would no longer have the ability to purchase with SNAP: butter, oils, lard for cooking in; no canned or frozen veg/fruit (WIC had a kind of expansion for fresh fruit and veg during COVID, but I don't know that it's permanent); no canned tomato sauce/paste, no spices, no cottage cheese, no coffee or tea, no sugar or flour, no fresh meat OF ANY KIND - no pork, chicken, beef, or fish; absolutely no pre-made or packaged meals (no go on the entire freezer section); no crackers, no milk items beyond cow or soy based, and on and on.
WIC is a supplemental food plan -- it is not intended to actually provide women, infants, or children with the whole of their dietary needs. 
The fucking pricks are rotten to the core. Don't even get me started on the nearly half a billion the state intends to siphon from public schools for the "voucher" program the governor is orgasming over... >

All I can say is "Oof" and thanks for elaborating. >

No fresh meat only canned fish. Didn't know Iowa Republicans were pescatarians. >

I work for a national grocery store in Washington State, Checker clerk & File Maintanence for 12 yrs Union! This is fucking appalling! I grew up born n raised in the SF bay area with a single mother that struggled with welfare & hustled every state help she could get to keep a roof over our heads until she finally got thru school. Found a good medical admin job. The Struggle is fucking real! Republicans dont fucking know shit except what their corp cocks tell them to sign off on. I see ppl every day come thru my line in my tiny washington state farm town struggling with huge families , working without days off sometimes! Still they cant afford a goddamn grocery fucking bill! The fucking LEAST our government could do for the least among us is to provide food on the table for those that work the hardest for the rest of us! FUCK THIS SHIT! >


Republicans dont fucking know shit

Nah, Republicans know EXACTLY what they're doing. With all the cuts to social safety nets and arbitrary "restrictions" on programs such as SNAP, they 100% know. They HATE poor people. They see being poor as a moral failing thus they have to "Punish" them. I can guarantee you that if they were given the option to simply exterminate everyone under a certain income bracket, they would do it in a heartbeat. >

i swear, Maga fucks just admit to want to live in a Man in the High Castle World & stop saying they want America to be great again. This is what this bill & other like it will become >

Buying whole chicken is one of the cheapest meat sources… >

And buying leg quarters isn't much more.  That was my meat of choice on a budget.  It was the best tasting/most convenient for the cost. >

Looks like I'm not going to Iowa. >

That's what they are hoping for. >

Boy do republicans sure hate poor people >

First thing I read in the article is “No rice, no beans.” This sounds like ethnic discrimination. More than a few ethnic groups count those items as staples. The Republicans once again, demonstrating how tone deaf and ignorant they can be. >


and ignorant they can be.

Not ignorant, done purposefully.. >

Yes. They are again signaling to their base:  Brown is bad. It is patently disgusting. >

Every day republicans just show more and more that they’re driving this country into the fucking ground >

“No American Cheese”
American Cheese was popularized due to its similarities to “Government Cheese” a processed cheese used in public school kitchens and provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security in the United States, as well as to food banks and churches.
Give us back our cheese you fucking cowards. >

Snap benefits produce 3 dollars of economic gain for every dollar spent. Without snap millions of pounds of produce and meat would be lost to spoilage instead of needy homes with families. Snap should be expanded not strangled. >

Said it before and I'll say it again: Republicans are just plain evil. >

They should be forced to live under the program for a few months before they are allowed to regulate it. They are absolutely void of empathy. Or any understanding at all of how people come to be in need. >

You can’t fight back if you’re underfed. >

Hungry people don’t stay hungry for long. >

Believe it or not, straight to jail. >

The party of Jesus sure hates the poor. >

Why... Why would they ban fresh meat, that's the most alarming thing. Favoring whole grains over over-processed food isn't that bad of an idea (the way I hear it, the US has a major obesity problem but idk, I don't live in the US), slicing your own cheese IS actually cheaper (pound-for-pound sliced cheese usually costs more) but banning fresh meat?
If they want people to eat healthy, why would they ban fresh meat? You can buy it, freeze it, thaw it when you need it and it's good as new. That canned shit has a bunch of preserving agents in it that aren't all that healthy. >

Let them eat Iowa Republicans