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Stamping on Nutrition: Government funds
vs. Human Need
By, William T. Crawley
Prepared for: Rebecca McCarthy, English 102
South Seattle Community Collage
December 2, 2012
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foods and did not buy more foods from the farmers, the government saw its first problem.
This attempt at a food program ended in 1943 once the affects of the great depression were
wearing off (Berry pg42). In 1961, the government started up with a food program once
again, this time looking only towards the need of the hungry, by 1964, president Johnson
passed the Food Stamp Act (Berry pg. 67). However, food stamps were more like coupons
that required those who received income to buy them in order to make the shopping budget go
further. It was not until 1977, that people were given food stamps without having to buy
them first (Potash, DVD).
For many years Americas food program was known strictly as food stamps. While in
this new day and age most still refer to this supplemental help as stamps, but the agency that
controls the money is now referred to as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or
(SNAP) (USDA). In most states, SNAP offers an Electronic Benefit Transfer card more
commonly called an (EBT) card. This card replaced the coupons that were once used and
offers food stamp users privacy when shopping; the EBT swipes just like a credit card
(USDA).
Big brother can be thanked for offering the new EBT cards, but the real problems within
the system still exist. The poor are not receiving enough money to buy healthy food and the
food they can afford is processed and lacks proper nutrients. In this case healthy foods are the
words to focus on. Here are the facts: in 2011, 27.9 million people in the U.S. were using
food stamps to feed themselves and their families (Potash, DVD). In America today, one in
eight people live below the poverty line (Potash, DVD). A family receiving supplemental
support gets roughly $1.00 per meal, per person (USDA). Now try to imagine an average
family of four trying to create a healthy balanced meal on only $4.00 per meal. But this is
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not the worst part, currently food prices have risen to an all time high; healthy food like
vegetables and fruits are costing 20% more this year than they did last year (Potash, DVD).
At the same time junk foods loaded with sugars, soy, white flower, processed corn, and rice
are 2% less expensive than they were last year (Potash, DVD). Why is this you might ask?
The answer is simple; big brother government is putting their money into the wrong kind of
farming.
Farming? But food stamps and farming have had nothing to do with each other since the
Roosevelt days, right? Well that is kind of right, but heres how they enter connect now. The
government spends 300billion dollars every year in subsidies that go towards farmers who
grow corn, wheat, cotton, soy, and rice (Potash, DVD). They do not give big money to farms
growing broccoli, carrots, kale, beets, or any other healthy fruit or veggie. These subsidizes
encourage farmers to grow food that are not as healthy. In turn because the farmers are being
paid more by the government they are able to sale for less to. These subsidized low nutrient
foods are then bought by companies that turn these ingredients into cheep processed,
preserved, ready to eat, filler foods. Because they are filled with other ingredients that
artificially make them tasty, most American dont think twice about the nutritional value of
these processed wonders. However, for people living on food stamps, these processed foods
are often the only choice when it comes to fighting hunger. And why does the government
subsidize bad for you foods like corn, wheat, and soy?
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) corn, wheat, and soy
are big money here in the U.S. and food is currently one of Americas bigg est money makers.
Big business food corporations help with funding for campaigning congressmen and women,
later the elected officials return the favor by supporting the right causes. EWG pointed out
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Maurice Wilder, a real estate developer who once farmed and made good money turning all
his crops into corn. He is now worth roughly $500 million dollars and still receives $1
million dollars a year from government subsidies on the farm land he still owns (EWG).
So what are these cheep processed food really doing to us? Currently over 2/3 of
America is overweight or obese (National Institutes of Health). This fact has almost nothing
to do with how much we sit behind desks; it is all about our food. The processed foods made
available for a low price by the government are actually killing us. George Orwell wrote the
book1984, the story depicts a very strong image of big brother v. little brother. It painted
picture of a controlling government who controlled its people through suppression and
manipulation. In some way, controlling the food farmed and served to the majority of feels
like a scary adaptation of Orwells frightening fictional world. To add to this though
journalist Rich Lowry wrote an article entitled: The Rise of Food-Stamp Nation where he
stated: The bottom line is that government at all levels actively wants people on the program
(Lowry). If this point of view is at all true it implies the need for control from the
government. It almost exposes the fact that the people are easier to control when they are sick
and weak.
When the human body obtains adequate nutrition it balances and weight is normally not
an issue. However, the saturated fats, high calorie counts, and processed corn sweeteners and
oils are extremely taxing on the human body to process. There are so few real nutrients in
these foods that they can really only be considered fillers.
Percentage of healthy, overweight, and obese adults in the United States
Age 20>yrs
Healthy weight BMI 18.5to 24.9
Overweight BMI 25.029.9
Obese BMI 30 andabove
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Age 20>yrs
Healthy weight BMI 18.5to 24.9
Overweight BMI 25.029.9
Obese BMI 30 andabove
All Adults 32.9% 34.1% 32.2%
Women 35.4% 28.6% 34.6%
Men 30.4% 39.7% 31.1%
SOURCE: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NationalInstitutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Many people have tried health conscience shopping on a food stamp budget and while it
is worth a try it is not totally possible. While taking a nutrition class a few semesters back I
tried shopping for a week on the average allotment for a single adult in Washington State
which is roughly $32.00 a week. Writing a menu that carefully considered nutrition and cross
utilized many ingredients, I thought this task would be simple, but simple it was not. By the
time all the shopping was done, the original menu had transformed from a light meat eating
diet to a completely vegetarian diet. Dried beans, lentils, and brown rice were an everyday
supplement from protein, peanut butter could only be served by the tablespoon and fruits and
vegetables were cut in half to last the week. As a 6 foot 5 inch male weighing roughly 240lb.
I am supposed to consume 2300 calories a day. After stretching my budget to the max, I was
almost 1000 calories to low, I was receiving only half the amount of fruits and veggies I need
and the protein received from the beans and rice were nowhere near meeting the nutritional
guidelines set by the USDA.
This is the original menu I had created and was unable to use due to lack of money.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
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Breakfast 2 eggs 1piece oftoast
Cerealwithmilk anda banana
2 eggs 1piece oftoast
Cerealwith milkand abanana
Cerealwithmilk anda banana
2 eggs 1piece oftoast
Cerealwith milkand abanana
Lunch Apple
and adeli meatandcheesesandwichwithchips
Apple
and aPeanutbutterand Jellysandwichwithchips
Apple and a
deli meatand cheesesandwichwith chips
Apple and
a Peanutbutter andJellysandwichwith chips
Apple
and adeli meatandcheesesandwichwithchips
Apple and
a Peanutbutter andJellysandwichwith chips
Apple and
a deli meatand cheesesandwichwith chips
Dinner Blackbeanburritos
Spaghettiwithmeatsauce
Roastedchicken,rice,spinach
ChickenTacos
FrozenPizzawithsalad
HomemadeSoupcarrots,celery,
onion,noodles
Hamburger
This is my original shopping list and prices for each item.
Original Shopping List Not Used
1 can black beans $0.99
Salsa $1.75
Tortilla $1.79
Cheese $2.00
Canned tomatoes $1.69
Garlic $0.49
Basil $3.39
2 lbs ground beef $6.89
Roasted chicken $5.99
Potatoes $0.59 per lb
Pizza $1.25
Lettuce $3.99
Carrots $0.99
Celery $0.99
Onions $0.82
Noodles $0.99
Hamburger buns $1.09
Yogurt X5 $0.99
Apples $3.39
Strawberries $2.50
Grapes $2.56
Eggs $1.09
Milk $2.09
Cereal $1.99
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Juice $5.00
Bread $1.09
Lunch meats $3.00
Peanut butter $2.09
Jelly $2.29
Chips $2.00
Total: 58.32
Bellow is the menu I had to use, as you can see I had to leave the meat behind and
revise with lentils and beans for protein.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday SundayBreakfast 2 eggs 1
piece oftoast andbananas
Cereal
withmilk anda banana
2 eggs 1
piece oftoast andbananas
Cereal
with milkand abanana
Cereal
withmilk anda banana
2 eggs 1
piece oftoast andbananas
Cereal
withmilk anda banana
Lunch Appleand acheesesandwich
Appleand aPeanutbuttersandwich
Apple and acheesesandwich
Apple anda Peanutbuttersandwich
Appleand acheesesandwich
Appleand aPeanutbuttersandwich
Appleand acheesesandwich
Dinner Lentilswithbrown
ricesteamedcarrotsandonions
Lentilswithbrown
ricesteamedcarrotsandonions
Frozensupremepizza with
meat andveggiesWith rawcarrot sticks
Red beansandbrown
rice withgreensKale andcarrots
Redbeansand
brownrice withgreensKale andcarrots
Bakedpotatoeswith
broccoliandsteamedcarrots
Pastawith redsauce
Andcarrotsticks
This is my revised shopping list.
Shopping list
8 oz Cheese $2.00
Frozen Pizza $1.25
Pasta 1 bag $0.99
Spaghetti sauce $1.25
Eggs $1.09
Milk gal $2.09
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Cereal $1.99
Bread $1.09
Peanut Butter $2.99
Brown Rice 2lb. $3.69
Dry Red Beans 16oz bag $1.69
Dry Lentils 16 oz bag $1.69
Kale Greens $1.29
Broccoli $1.59
Bag of Apples $1.39
2lb Bananas $1.38
1 lb Carrots $0.99
1 Onion $0.82
2 lg Baked Potato $1.18
Total $30.36
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In a documentary called Food Stamped, directed and produced by Shira Potash, Potash
and her boy friend do the same experiment, attempting to stretch a food stamp budget out for
a week. They had $50.00 for the week between the two of them. During this film the two of
them shop, cook, and experience what life on food stamps is really like. They too attempted a
nutritious and balanced menu. They mentioned feeling hungry after meals, and wishing for
more. After the week they saw a nutritionist who was impressed with how well they had
balanced there menu, but because of low calorie intake she suggested that if this diet were to
become long term, weight loss would become a problem to the already fit couple (Potash,
DVD).
Potash interview several people from congress who had taken part in a week long food
stamp study as well. Hearing that members of congress cared enough to try living on a food
stamp budget for a week is refreshing information. During his interview Congressman Jim
McGovern a democrat for Massachusetts stated: Hunger is a political condition, we have all
the resources, we have all the knowledge, we have all the info structure; everything we need
to solve it, we dont have the political will. (Potash, DVD) Congresswoman Barbra Lee a
democrat for California said that she was working for the appropriation committee during the
week long study. She mentioned having a hard time focusing; she felt she could not think
straight enough to crunch numbers. That was after just a few days of living on food stamp
funds. Imagine how lack of nutrition might affect ones mind and body after years.
Serious health problems are caused on both sides of this issue. People eating too few
calories suffer from undernourishment which is caused by either not eating enough food, or
filling up on empty calories. In cases weight loss, fatigue, and can occur, if the body goes
without proper nourishment for too long it can cause organ failure, digestive problems, and
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death (Benard). In cases where the body is taking in too many empty calories and weight gain
occurs, problems with blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and cholesterol plague the
victims of poor nutrition (Benard).
(http://yedies.blogspot.com/2010/10/idepression-20.html)
This is an image of a welfare line during the Great Depression. Notice that people in
need were thin, hungry looking even
(Naples News)
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Look at us now, waiting in the same line, only now we dont look so hungry. Prof that
cheep processed food is killing America.
The health issues tied to food stamps has not gone completely unnoticed by congress.
In a 2007 meeting regarding food stamps they discussed that issue. How is it that many of
the same families who struggle to get by also seem at greatest risk of becoming overweight
and developing diet-related chronic diseases like diabetes (U.S Congress)? Congress need to
take a close look at this problem, because the same people who are requiring money for food
stamps, later need money to seek medical help.
So what can we do? According to Tom Christiano our problem lies at the very heart of
our country. The problem may just be democracy itself. Christiano describes the ideals of
democracy as group decision making, it is a collective path that sets forth to meet the needs of
the many; in the attempts at equality for all.
On his view, individual citizens and even politicians are apt not to have a sense
of responsibility for the quality of legislation because no one makes a significant
difference to the outcomes of decision making. As a consequence, citizens
concerns are not focused on politics and politicians succeed only by making loud
and manipulative appeals to citizens in order to gain more power, but all lack
incentives to consider views that are genuinely for the common good. (Christiano)
Perhaps Christiano is right maybe there are too many voices, but maybe its not the number of
voices, but whose voices we are hearing. Does hunger really affect our politicians? Have any of
them gone hungry? In most cases it is safe to assume that our politicians live the good life, they
eat well and make good money every day.
Part II
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The time has come; little brother needs to rise up. America needs to rise up, both rich
and poor. Farmers need to rise up and grow the food that nourishes the people. There can be no
pride in growing the ingredients that are hurting America. Change can only come when the
people stand up tall. Three things need to happen in order to make change. First, education is
the key element in any good uprising. Second, communication, the people need to connect and
make some noise. Lastly, take what you have and work with it, build community and grow your
own vegetables.
Education does not have to come at a price, so much information can be obtained from
your local library. The library offers an endless resource from books and dictations of every
meeting congress has ever held. There are shelves full of books on nutrition, health, and your
legal rights. In addition the library has free internet. The internet not only works as an amazing
research tool, but it connects us to the world. Local food banks are a great to gather information,
people working in food banks are there to help and direct individuals towards resources.
Farmers markets now accept EBT cards (Potash). Meet your local farmers, get to know them
and find out how amazing fresh food can be. Farmers can negotiate prices and work with you in
ways that big grocery stores cant.
Lets dig deeper into the ideas around an uprising and internet use. Using the internet
individuals can connect with other in similar circumstances. The internet has lots of free
blogging sites. Blogging offers the people an opportunity to say what they are thinking, share
information, and connect with others. Before you know it you come to fine out youre not alone.
The internet also has great free sites like Facebook. Groups can be formed on Facebook that
bring people together. Take notice of your neighbors, find out who is using food stamps and
offer opportunities to share information, get others excited about change.
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and heart disease. American needs to take a stand, a stand against hunger, a stand for good
health a true stand against big brother. Only through working together can the people make
change.
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http://yedies.blogspot.com/
Benard, Tyffani. Health Problems Associated With UndernutritionLives Strong.Com. Mar.
28, 2011 Web. Nov. 13, 2012
Barry, Jeffery M. Feeding the Hungry: Rulemaking in the Food Stamp Program. New Jersey:
Rutgers University Press. 1984. Print.
Christiano, Tom, "Democracy", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2008
Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL =
http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2008/entries/democracy/Thu Jul 27, 2006 Web. 1 Nov.
2012
Environmental Working Group. EWG Farm Subsides. United States Summery Information.
Nov. 9, 2004. Web, Nov. 19, 2012.http://farm.ewg.org/region.php?fips=00000
Gingrich, Paul. Power, Domination, Legitimation, and Authority. Sociology 250 University of
Regina.. http://uregina.ca/~gingrich/o12f99.htmOctober 7 and 12, 1999. Web. 2 Nov.
2012.
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stamp_nation_114753.html
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Orwell, George. 1984. South Australia: The University of Adelaide Library
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