By Faith Speece
This week, President Trump pitched a new approach to reform food stamps. His new idea is “America’s Harvest Box” which is a box with non perishable items like milk, juices, grains, pasta, canned meat, fruits, and vegetables for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients that receive more than $90 monthly in benefits. This change would affect 81% of SNAP recipients (16.4 million households).
There are a number of problems with this. To start how, does the federal government possibly think that they know what a family should eat? Every family prefers different food.
Can they accommodate to specific dietary needs? Would this program cater to families with allergies? What about vegetarian and vegan families? What about with religious beliefs that affect their diets?
What would the quality of the food be like? Will it be organic? How about pesticide free? Will there be added preservatives? What would the amount of food be like? Would it depend on the number of people in your household? Or does everyone get the same amount?
How would the delivery of these boxes work? Will they be left outside your home like a package? If so what stops someone from stealing it? Will you have to sign for the box? What happens if no ones home when the delivery person shows up? What about mothers with small children? The current program allows you to get formula and baby food on your SNAP card. Would these boxes include something like this?
This is an awful idea. People should be in control of what they eat. Every family is different.