Worsening Economy Forces Ohioans To Cut Back On Groceries

[FirefightnRick]

Someone help these two to the buffet.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...toryId=92592545

The rising cost of food means their money gets them about a third fewer bags of groceries — $100 used to buy about 12 bags of groceries, but now it's more like seven or eight. So they cut back on expensive items like meat, and they don't buy extras like ice cream anymore. Instead, they eat a lot of starches like potatoes and noodles.

Our social services at it's finest.

Rick

Edited July 21, 2008 by FirefightnRick

[FirefightnRick]

....For only 50 cents a day, you too could help these two women......?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

All the smart-@sses we have on this board and no one else is gonna take this and run with it?

I'm dissapointed.

Rick

Edited July 22, 2008 by FirefightnRick

[UNTflyer]

'I Just Can't Get A Job'Nunez, 40, has never worked and has no high school degree. She says a car accident 17 years ago left her depressed and disabled, incapable of getting a job. Instead, she and her daughter, Angelica Hernandez, survive on a $637 Social Security check and $102 in food stamps.

Seems like that $102 a month is going a looooong way. For both of them.

She says she needs someone to give her a lift just to get to an interview.

And that, my friends, is no small favor!

[UNTflyer]

The rising cost of food means their money gets them about a third fewer bags of groceries — $100 used to buy about 12 bags of groceries, but now it's more like seven or eight. So they cut back on expensive items like meat, and they don't buy extras like ice cream anymore. Instead, they eat a lot of starches like potatoes and noodles.

Geeze, how about some fruits and vegetables! I can't imagine the reporter writing this up without laughing.

[FirefightnRick]

And that, my friends, is no small favor!

Rick

[meangreendork]

Seems like that $102 a month is going a looooong way. For both of them.

And that, my friends, is no small favor!

I know we just disagreed in another thread...

...but we all know these two doing more than ok on $100 a month.

I won't even go into the laziness factor in this story. Yeck.

[Mean Green Matt]

I personally was appalled that she was 40 and had never had a job....

[GoMeanGreen1999]

Seems like that $102 a month is going a looooong way. For both of them.

I would like to know WHERE they are shopping in which $100 gets them 12 bags of food.

Edited July 23, 2008 by GoMeanGreen1999

[GoMeanGreen1999]

If they would try and walk around to their job interviews, they would fix many of their problems. They probably lose weight, feel better about themselves, be less depressed, and eat less since they wouldn't be sitting around the house all day long.

[Censored by Laurie]

Seems like that $102 a month is going a looooong way. For both of them.

Geeze, how about some fruits and vegetables!

There in lies a major part of the problem. Fruits, vegetables and really anything of any real nutritional value is expensive. If you only have $100 a month for groceries you are forced into buying cheap and subsequently fatty meats, simple carbohydrates and starches in order to stretch your budget as far as possible. If you do get any veggies they're frozen (significantly reducing their nutritional value)

That said...simply raising the monthly food allowance for these two would only increase their buoyancy.

Perhaps with food stamps ought to come some sort of nutrtion course. The course, of course, would cost tax payer money (which I've learned is bad) but in the long run should cut down on their medical costs (which is good)

Ohh...and if we do decide to add Puerto Rico as a state, but at the same time decide that we still only want 50 states...I'll have no problem with letting Ohio become a free agent...I mean when Columbus, Cincinati and Cleveland are your major attractions...that state is such a shithole.

Edited July 23, 2008 by Censored by Laurie

[UNTflyer]

Perhaps with food stamps ought to come some sort of nutrtion course. The course, of course, would cost tax payer money (which I've learned is bad) but in the long run should cut down on their medical costs (which is good)

My feelings on food stamps is that it should be restricted to generic brand foods. Government cheese for everyone!

[Guest JohnDenver]

If you do get any veggies they're frozen (significantly reducing their nutritional value)

I don't disagree with your assessment regarding processed foods being cheap. More calories for the dollar.

However, it is not true that frozen veggies have 'significantly' less nutrients. Sometimes frozen beggies have more than a "fresh" veggie isle that is exposed to light all day long.

IVillage's take.

Australia's take

FDA recommends frozen, but avoid the sugar.

That is all... but otherwise yes.. a bag of Oreos is cheaper than a bag of oranges.

[UNTflyer]

I don't know if I agree. Every once I while, I swear I'm going to drop these extra 20 lbs and I buy lots of fruits, veggies, lean cold cuts, wheat bread, etc. I seem to spend less on healthy food than I do on the stuff I like to eat.

If a 19-year old can't find a job, she's not looking. This is really a horrible story if the point is that times are tough. And to present two morbidly obese, lazy, white trash fat people as an example of how tough Americans have it these days is really quite sad.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

I don't disagree with your assessment regarding processed foods being cheap. More calories for the dollar.

However, it is not true that frozen veggies have 'significantly' less nutrients. Sometimes frozen beggies have more than a "fresh" veggie isle that is exposed to light all day long.

You bring up an interesting thought now for myself - my wife and I grow 85% of the veggies we eat, and we cut them up, seal them and freeze them to eat throughout the year. I have been told from people much smarter than I that they lose very little if any doing it this way.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

I don't know if I agree. Every once I while, I swear I'm going to drop these extra 20 lbs and I buy lots of fruits, veggies, lean cold cuts, wheat bread, etc. I seem to spend less on healthy food than I do on the stuff I like to eat.

If a 19-year old can't find a job, she's not looking. This is really a horrible story if the point is that times are tough. And to present two morbidly obese, lazy, white trash fat people as an example of how tough Americans have it these days is really quite sad.

Flyer - drop the white bread and any processed sugars and you will drop 10 of those pounds fairly easy.

[Quoner]

$100 can get you 50 of these:

490 calories and 18 grams of fat each

It's like Barack Obama always says, "More cushin' for the pushin'!"

[Guest JohnDenver]

$100 can get you 50 of these:

490 calories and 18 grams of fat each

It's like Barack Obama always says, "More cushin' for the pushin'!"

My favorite Hungry Man write-up..

The Worst Breakfast in History

[Guest JohnDenver]

I don't know if I agree. Every once I while, I swear I'm going to drop these extra 20 lbs and I buy lots of fruits, veggies, lean cold cuts, wheat bread, etc. I seem to spend less on healthy food than I do on the stuff I like to eat.

It is probably a function of the less food you are trying to eat.

If these women (300lbs of them) don't really want to lose weight, in order to get the same amount of calories to maintain their frame... it would be more money with fruit/veggies and fresh breads.

[KRAM1]

A fine example of what's wrong with America and what's wrong with our government. American socity is made up of doers and takers. Guess which side these two belong on! They feel "entitled"......why should they work?????? Handouts for everyone!!!!!! Sounds like some of my friends on the left.

This is a joke...why would this even be news????? Only in America...home of the "what's in it for me" left!

[Quoner]

A fine example of what's wrong with America and what's wrong with our government. American socity is made up of doers and takers. Guess which side these two belong on! They feel "entitled"......why should they work?????? Handouts for everyone!!!!!! Sounds like some of my friends on the left.

This is a joke...why would this even be news????? Only in America...home of the "what's in it for me" left!

I blame entitled baseball players! I mean, they just sit around waiting to hit for half the game!

Am I right? Am I right?

[GoMeanGreen1999]

I blame entitled baseball players! I mean, they just sit around waiting to hit for half the game!

Am I right? Am I right?

You are right. Now, what is going on with that avitar of yours?

[Quoner]

You are right. Now, what is going on with that avitar of yours?

Batman + alcohol + bad MS paint

I cordially invite the truly talented to create a better RV joker for me to use.

Edited July 23, 2008 by Quoner

[GoMeanGreen1999]

Batman + alcohol + bad MS paint

I cordially invite the truly talented to create a better RV joker for me to use.

I don't think you need a better one, that one is perfect. Actually it is quite funny.

[UNTLifer]

You bring up an interesting thought now for myself - my wife and I grow 85% of the veggies we eat, and we cut them up, seal them and freeze them to eat throughout the year. I have been told from people much smarter than I that they lose very little if any doing it this way.

"Those people" would be correct. If you can't buy fresh, buy frozen. Canned as a last resort.

[UNTFan23]

I'm surprised no one noticed this little gem:

People tell Nunez her daughter could get more money in public assistance if she had a child.

"A lot of people have told me, 'Why don't your daughter have a kid?'"