http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080317/BIZ/803170340Monday, March 17, 2008
Nathan Hurst / The Detroit News
Michigan grocers are pleased the state is one step closer to becoming the first in the nation to distribute federal food stamps twice monthly instead of just once.
The state Senate last week voted 35-2 to make the change, which was first proposed two years ago. The bill now moves to the House for a vote, which is expected this summer.
The Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers of Farmington Hills, a 4,000-member grocery industry group, said that distributing food assistance to Michigan's 1.2 million recipients twice a month would help grocers better manage their inventory and provide fresher food.
Under the current system, recipients get their food aide during the first 10 days of each month, and grocers running stores in poorer, urban neighborhoods in Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids have said a rush of customers at the beginning of the month trickles off to virtually no business toward the end.
"AFPD has worked very hard, for many years, to get this legislation passed," Jane Shallal, president of the Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers, said in a statement. "Twice-monthly food stamp distribution will assist retailers with staffing and stocking perishables. It will also give recipients more flexibility and encourage them to buy fresh, healthy perishable foods throughout the month."
The United Food and Commercial Workers union also backs the legislation.
FULL story at link.
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