New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg doesn’t want people getting fat off of government aid, so he’s trying to make soda and other sugary drinks ineligible for Food Stamp purchases. [More]
food stamps
Go Economy! Americans Broke Food Stamps Record In January
By 4.12.10
The L.A. Times reports Americans’ love of eating and immense poverty have combined to help our people set a new record for food stamp consumption in a month. [More]
Costco Will Expand Food Stamp Program Nationwide
By 10.28.09
It turns out more Costco customers use food stamps than CEO James D. Sinegal originally thought, because after a test run earlier this year the company has decided to roll out the program nationwide.
More Stores Accepting Food Stamps Now That 39 Million People Use Them
By 7.31.09
We’re going to have to start offering tips for shopping with food stamps now that a record number of consumers —and stores— are using them.
Here's An Extra $25 A Week — Whoops, Now You Don't Qualify For Food Stamps
By 6.15.09
The economic recovery plan includes a nice little $25 a week bump for unemployed folks — but for some it comes with a catch — they no longer qualify for hundreds of dollars a month in food stamp benefits. Whoopsies!
Costco Now Accepting Food Stamps, Sort Of
By 5.27.09
Finally following the lead of its competitors, Costco will accept food stamp cards. For core food items, not other merchandise. Two New York City stores, in Astoria, Queens, and in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, will serve as test sites because of the high numbers of food stamp recipients nearby. If the program is successful, Costco will expand it to all other New York City stores, but there are no plans to expand the program to other cities or states.
We're Outsourcing Food Stamp Jobs To India
By 4.29.09
Poverty in America is creating jobs for people overseas, says ABC News. The saga began when a Florida resident’s hours working as a nanny got cut back when her boss’ hours also got cut. She called a toll-free line to inquire about her food stamps and noticed that the call center obviously wasn’t in the US.
Grocery Auctions: Going Once, Going Twice, Going Off!
By 4.14.09
Grocery auctions are sweeping the nation! The concept is simple: you bid on super-low-priced food items and paper goods, and walk away with a cart full of groceries for $100s less than you’d spend at your local supermarket. But the reality is that most of the food is expired, damaged, or past its promotion deadline. So are you really getting a good deal? And what do those “best before” dates really signify?
1 In 10 Americans Are On Food Stamps
By 4.2.09
32.2 million people, about 1 in 10 Americans, are now on food stamps according to the latest government report. The number is a new record.
Why Doesn't Costco Accept Food Stamps?
By 11.19.08
The New York Times City Room blog asks an interesting question. Why doesn’t Costco accept food stamps? Even farmers markets accept them! What’s the deal, Costco?
By 5.19.08
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More and more “regular-Joe working Americans” are on food stamps. [USAToday]
Food Stamp Users Subsidize Your Credit Card Rewards Programs
By 9.21.07
Food stamp users are helping pay for your credit card rewards programs, according to “Priceless? The Social Costs Of Credit Card Merchant Restraints” (PDF), a paper by Gerogetown professor Adam Levitin published in the Harvard Journal on Legislation.
Kroger Illegally Charging Tax On Food Stamps When Used With Coupons
By 8.27.07
“I do the grocery shopping for my partner who is totally disabled. He is paralyzed on the right side and suffers from quite a few other health related issues. When we moved to Savannah, Georgia two years ago, I noticed that when I used his EBT (food stamp) card at a Kroger store that I was being charged tax on food coupons. While Georgia is a state that does charge tax on grocery store food, and some grocery coupons state that it is the customer’s responsibility to pay any tax, it is illegal to charge food stamp recipients tax no matter what.”
Personal Finance Roundup
By 5.23.07
Life as a Boomerang Kid [Kiplinger’s] “Dirt-cheap housing. Home-cooked meals. A full-time housekeeper. The catch: sleeping in your old room.”
