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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This is the OP. I am sorry I wasn't clear. My point was that I keep hearing that poor people can't afford to eat healthy, but [b]it can be done[/b]. It just involves planning, and cooking, and accepting that you may eat the same meals several days in a row.

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Not always. Thanks for your singular data point. [/quote]

Name some typical circumstances why it couldn’t e done, then.  I can’t think of any reason why the same poor person could easily obtain for themselves Takis and Mountain Dew but not a can of pinto beans. [/quote]

Because most convenience stores don’t have pinto beans?

Because more people than you think don’t have the means to cook a can of pinto beans.

Because they are hungry, it is 9 at night and they just want something in the stomach.

Because Takis and a MD taste better than a can of plain pinto beans.

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Convenience stores sell lots of foods. It’s clear you’re just making things up and don’t actually know how, when, where or why people shop. You’re just a contrarian.[/quote]

Sure they sell all kinds of things. It’s a convenience store after all. But who is actually eating just a can of pinto beans? Plus, that can of beans is probably inflated in price for the convenience of it. You’re the one who is out of touch if you think I’m making things up.

So, if you think I’m making things up -  give yourself $275 this month to shop at only your local convenience store (which is probably better than any inner city one already). You must only use the ingredients you buy during this time (including spices, oil, margarine, etc.) - no using what you have in house already as most people don’t have extra money to build up a pantry. You can only shop and cook 630-9pm and must not use your car. You’re limited to only use 1 burner to replicate a typical allowed hot plate element in many small apartments or rental units, plus a toaster oven, kettle, and small microwave (a lot of people don’t have those either). You can only use 1 pot. Any leftovers and purchased fresh food can only go in the crispers of your fridge, to replicate the size of a bar fridge, which again, is all many people have. Anything above and beyond that you need to cook that is a normal consumable- foil, containers to store, etc. have to come from your budget.

I suspect you’ll survive and feed yourself, but maybe you’ll learn something. If  it feels pretty easy, keep going and see how you feel about your single can of pinto beans for dinner. [/quote]

I think it depends where you live how common it is that people only have a hot plate to cook on.

As to the $275 - again, food stamps are not intended to cover a family’s entire grocery budget. They never were. [/quote]

Did it occur to you that the intent is not the point - that living this way the reality for many people?

And it’s nice that you think many people don’t just have a hot plate. Do you know how many people DO? Or are living in motels that may not even have that?

Rents are only going up. People are having to do with much less to even have a roof over their heads. Many people, especially young people, are couch surfing. Many people don’t qualify for benefits as they have no documentation or no real address. Some people look like they make a fair amount of money, but most of their money goes to shelter and maybe a car. If you think there’s no food insecurity in your nice neighborhood, you’re probably wrong.

It’s interesting who is being contrary now. I imagine most people on here have never actually lived under the conditions that necessitate some of the choices many people have to make, or make for so many reasons. This isn’t an organic vs. Regular food, or nanny vs. Daycare debate. [/quote]

1) re: hot plate cooking - the point is whether this is typical for most poor people rather than something that does happen to some people but is not the norm even for poor people

2) it is entirely relevant that food stamps are not designed to cover a family’s full grocer budget because there are regularly comments about how hard it is to subsist on ONLY that amount of food. You might as well complain it is impossible to cover rent from only the earned income tax credit. Food stamps are given to help a family buy MORE food than they could otherwise, not to 100% cover their grocery bills. [/quote]

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