New budget resurrects controversial 'harvest box' proposal as part of welfare reform

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: ABC

The Trump administration's newly released budget proposal revives a widely panned idea that some food stamp benefits could be sent in a delivery box, one of many changes that advocates say would undermine programs intended to help the most vulnerable people in the country.

Critics say the budget signals the administration will continue to pursue welfare reform through additional work requirements to programs like food assistance, housing programs, and Medicaid.

USDA's budget mentions the "America's Harvest Box" program, which was first mentioned last year as a way to deliver some food stamp benefits to recipients through a "Blue Apron-style" delivery. The proposal was widely criticized by critics who said it put a huge burden on states who would have to implement the program and would take away recipients' options to buy fresh food with their benefits and provide less healthy processed.

But administration officials knocked down past criticism of the idea this week and said they would pursue the idea again even after Congress rejected it.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/new-budget-resurrects-controversial-harvest-box-proposal-as-part-of-welfare-reform/ar-BBUGNWh?li=BBnbcA1

[Mr.Bill]

1. It would also hurt the local grocers.

I have a friend who owns a discount grocery franchise. He says some months 70% of their business is SNAP. He employs over 50 people and his business would not exist without SNAP. He's one republican who thinks this government benefit is just fine.

[Codeine]

14. I ran a grocery store for years

and food stamp benefits were often crucial to our success.

[riversedge]

2. Canned goods and processed foods for the poor as a present from Two SCOOPS #TRUMP!!

Link to tweet

[tanyev]

3. Let me guess--some mega Trump donor is lined up to benefit bigly from this.

[groundloop]

4. You took the words right off the tips of my fingers.

I'm absolutely certain one of Tiny's golfing buddies or donors would profit from this.

[ToxMarz]

10. Probably someone like Uber is lobbying to deliver them

[joost5]

17. Our govt is being sold off bit by bit to the highest GOP donor.

[jmowreader]

5. Let me guess...

It'll come in a box with "America's Harvest Box" printed on it in foot-high letters so everyone can see what it is. It'll be delivered in a truck that has "Harvest Box" written on it in huge letters so it embarrasses anyone receiving aid. The box will be full of food no one likes - canned liver, anyone?

One big reason for going from printed food coupons to EBT cards was to try to make the poor slightly less humiliated. The "Harvest Box" program's whole intent is to make the poor even more humiliated than they already are.

There is no low to which Donald Trump won't sink.

[videohead5]

6. This would end up costing

The states more than ever. They would have pay people to deliver some of these boxes to the elderly and disabled.

[rpannier]

13. And what about people with food issues?

The boxes would have to packed with different things for dietary needs. Elderly (and young) can't eat certain foods because of digestive issues. People with food allergies would be affected
The cost would be ridiculous

[videohead5]

18. No doubt

It's just a stupid idea to try to discourage people from signing up for SNAP.

[kskiska]

21. Anyone with diabetes would have a huge problem with this.

[rpannier]

22. Yep x 10000000

[smb]

7. Another Aspect Of The Evil Motivation

first mentioned last year as a way to deliver some food stamp benefits to recipients through a "Blue Apron-style" delivery

Clearly, this framing was designed to equate the program with fancy expensive concierge services (another variation on the "welfare queen Cadillac" meme).

[Cryptoad]

8. Ummmmm,,,,?

what u reckon a no-bid contract to deliver Snap Care Food is worth....????

[keithbvadu2]

9. Set up a new employee intensive gov't program.

Set up a new employee intensive gov't program.

[dalton99a]

11. Nancy: Please kill it dead.

Kill his budget dead and throw it in the trash.

[SergeStorms]

12. Oh, it's DOA.

with his wholesale cuts to Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and welfare reform, this budget has absolutely NO chance of being passed without major reconstruction. All so he can cut the monstrous deficits he's created by getting his tax give-away to the wealthy and corporations through Congress. We must fight Trump and the GOP tooth and nail on this one.

[joost5]

16. AGREED! It's tRump's "throw sh*t at them and hope some corn gets through" negotiating tactic.

[SergeStorms]

20. Now that's a graphic way to desribe it!

Slightly nauseating, but so is Trump.

[Dopers_Greed]

15. Why would conservatives prefer this to SNAP?

Isn't the government directly feeding people even more socialist than giving them money to spend at businesses?

[yellowcanine]

19. Peanut butter and processed "cheese."

Just like the "good old days" commodity foods program of the 1950's.