I can't shop like you because I don't have a car. Many people on snap are the same, therefore are reduced to buying smaller sizes of items.
....
People on snap may also may live in a tiny apartment and don't have the storage space.
Usually I haul my weekly groceries (~20-30lbs) back by hand, in a combination of taking public transit and walking. If I were physically incapable of that, I'd probably use a folding cart like the older shoppers I see. Granted I'm buying for 1 -- if I were buying for say 4 I'd absolutely need a folding cart.
My "pantry" is also 12 cubic feet, coupled with about 6 cubic feet of combined fridge/freezer space (roommates sharing 1 fridge)...extremely tiny by most standards. It's manageable if you're not expecting to have dozens of meal options at your disposal, or if you get more basic items that offer more flexibility (it's amazing how versatile flour is).
If I took a picture of my "$29/week food stamp" haul, it would probably be:
- 5lb sack of flour -- $1.75
- 5lb sack of sugar -- $2
- 2lb box of oats -- $1.50
- 5lb sack of potatoes -- $1
- 5lb sack of carrots -- $1
- 5lbs of assorted greens -- $2
- 5lbs of assorted fruits -- $2
- 3lb pack of chicken (quarters, split breast, etc.) -- $3
- bag of lentils -- $0.75 (1lb)
- loaf of whole wheat bread -- $1
- block of cheese -- $1.50 (8oz)
- different containers of spices & kitchen goods (thyme, oregano, cinnamon, garlic, baking powder, jug of oil, etc.) -- 3 shakers @ $0.75/each + $1 for baking powder, $4 for 96oz of veggie oil
Provided some basis on my math in my list above. Rings up at <$25. Granted I have access to a wholesalers' produce market that sells week-old produce at steeply discounted prices, but that's also freely available to everyone else in the city (Boston). I guess the argument could be made that the wholesalers' market is cash only, so SNAP wouldn't be accepted, but I frequently pick up discounted produce at grocery stores too for similar prices where SNAP would be accepted.
And honestly (this isn't directed at anyone on the thread, just a vent at liberal media pundits), "food stamps" (SNAP) is a Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program -- Supplemental being the operative word. $29 isn't enough money and it actually costs you $40 a week for food? GFY -- It's not supposed to
fully cover your food costs, it's supposed to
help you to cover your own food costs
in addition to you paying for your own damn food! Be happy you only have to pay 30% of your total food expenses instead of 100% of them. Nobody said you're entitled to fresh squeezed orange juice, prime beef, lucky charms, organic milk, Doritos, coca-cola, candy or any other GD thing that causes the average American's weekly grocery bill to be $76/person, but honest to God I see at least one of those items on the conveyor belt every time I see someone whip out an EBT card in this city and it just makes me want to scream "put that shit back right now, you haven't earned those luxuries!"