The Controversy of Food Stamps

The Controversy of Food Stamps

Introduction

Food stamp is a programs initiated by the federal government of US in order to provide subsidize food to people with low earnings. Food stamps were started by Henry Wallace, the former secretary of agriculture in 1939 (Simpson et.al, 2013). In starting, the government officials allow people to purchase farm surpluses which are useless for humans. Surplus was not a problem until 1943. After 1943 new food program was created for the people.

Food stamps are circulated in two basic forms: as (EBT) electronic benefit transfer or as booklet voucher. Both forms can be utilized at food shops and super markets, and people can buy some other food stuffs like cold sandwiches (Miller, 2013). Food stamps are designed for poor people and they can buy food stuff from them but it cannot be used to buy soap, toothpaste, and cleaning supplies (Levenstein et.al, 2012). Government also provides seeds to the people because people can also use the seeds for farming and after selling the crop they can get the revenue.

Truth About the program

Unemployment is increasing because of the advancement in technology. Most of the people don't want the job which is not related to their educational background, so it is difficult for the government to create jobs in all fields. In 1939, government of the United States starts the program for the welfare of people (Nestle, 2013). This program was not excluded from racism because government receives complains regarding racism. Racism is the act of discrimination in which certain people make a community and try to avail all facilities provided by the government. At the beginning only 22 percent food recipient were black.

This program is designed to serve poor American people or people who cannot earn according to their needs. This program serves approx. 46 million people of America. In fact, approx 20 to 25 percent American people got benefit from that program (Simpson et.al, 2013). About 55 percent of the households who utilize food stamps comprise of kids and 9 percent food stamps are for the people over the age of 60, according to the department of agriculture United States. About 41 percent of people who receive food stamp are white with little percentage of Native Americans of about 2%.

All people can apply for food stamps but benefits are restricted to people who either legal residents or US citizens (Miller, 2013). In order to qualify for food stamps, the people over 18 must register them for work and be willing to take part in study/work program of training designed by government (Sturm et.al, 2012). For people who are working in any field and earn a certain amount of money may also get food stamps. In the beginning, food stamp program was biased and most of the people not satisfied with the facilities provided by the government.

Government made the process of getting food stamps clear by introducing electronic cards of recipients (Nestle, 2013). Nowadays, poverty is increasing and it ...