Food Prices on C-Span

**Lady_V** · 05-01-2008, 10:42 PM

Hello everyone,

The Old Man and I just finished watching the committee dealing with food prices. When it was over, we turned to each other and said "What about us?"

A lot of the focus was on the assistance programs, such as WIC, food stamps and food pantries. Whenever the 'middle income' people was mentioned, the issue was skirted with a lot of 'wait it out'. I started to cry when they said the increases were not permanent, that we should start seeing things returning to normal in a few years. A few years???

I am not one to look down on people who need food stamps or other assistance... I have been there before and through the grace of whatever Deity, we are scraping by. I understand the need for assistance will increase as the gas, heating and food prices increase. I just don't know how much longer 'we' can teeter that line. By 'we' I mean those who make just over the cut-of line, those with fixed incomes, and those otherwise unable to get help.

The committee chairperson had made a comment about how his wife is concerned with the prices and they have had to cut back on their food budget, and he makes over $175K a year.

I have to give my kudos to the Representative from Baltimore. It seemed as if he said everything I was thinking. He asked the 'experts' what they are going to do about the current situation. Not just what can be done, what may be done, but what will be done NOW.

If you are interested, I found a link the the video, there are 2 different players on the right. (click here)

**mmy2grls** · 05-02-2008, 05:27 AM

Because of the increase in gasoline and heating bill I had to seek help with food benefits and WIC. I feel lucky I was able to get help no questions asked because I have young children and i'm single.

My parents have a good life but because of rising prices they can't get help like I can. It's sad to think a few years ago my mom had a awesome stockpile and her cupboards were overfilled with food and now they just buy what they need.

**lisettelovebug** · 05-02-2008, 01:04 PM

luckily we qualify for WIC. thank goodness, it helps sooooo much. We're a family of 5 and dh makes about $40,000 a year. But it looks like wic is going to have to increase the amount on their checks because of inflaltion. I bought cereal last night - box of kix and a box of life - and it was very close to going over the amount. had it gone over i guess i would have only been able to get one box of cereal. I use the wic checks to get the american cheese because it's went up so much herre ($3-$4 per pound) and then i just use my own money to buy cheddar / mozzarella / etc because i often find that on sale for 2 for $4.

I think with the prices rising so much people are really changing the way they eat. They even had a local report on rising prices on our local news. They should have interviewed me. lol. We've really cut out a lot of things. If I can't get it on sale at a good price and use a coupon I don't buy it. A lady in the local grocer's the other day (where we buy our meat cheap) commented to me about the prices. But she was still getting a lot of prepackaged stuff. Stuff I don't buy much of. Just a few things like: stuffing (i use it for casserole and only buy when $1), Jiffy Mix, canned pork and beans, mac and cheese when it's cheap enough. We do buy frozen french fries or tater tots probably once every few months and probably the same for fish sticks. We've really changed the way we eat in the last few years and I am going to start making homemade breads and rolls too ($1.79 a loaf for white bread is too much - i'd rather go without)

**FrugalWitch** · 05-02-2008, 02:23 PM

Here's what I've been told twice in the past. If you are poor, married, with no children you can only get food-stamps once every 3 years. You will only get three months worth and then you have to wait three years to apply again. I was totally desperate and ashamed went I went to apply.

I was 23, my ex-husband and I both worked full time low-wage jobs. With rent, utilities (no phone, no cable...just gas, electric, water), and car insurance we were still making $15.00 less each month than those bills. Notice the bills listed do not include gas for the car or groceries...we had no medical insurance either. We had no credit cards at all. No help from either family.

I was told to my face the first time to "get yourself pregnant girl then we can set you up with everything"

The second time I got desperate I was 31, but I was still advised to get pregnant! How irresponsible is that?!? We were so broke we couldn't feed ourselves but I was being told to deliberately bring a child into poverty??

Oh and guess what whopping amount we got for 3 months? $42.00 To this day it pi$$$#$ me off royally.

**JustMegan79** · 05-02-2008, 02:27 PM

What is truly appalling is that many people Do intentionally bring children into the world based on what they can "get" once they do. It disgusts me, especially since DH and I desperateley want a child but have not been able.

To purposely bring a child to the world for the sole purpose of "getting" benefits is disgraceful, when there are so many of us who desperatley want a child to love, nurture and care for.

**Dancing Lotus** · 05-02-2008, 03:01 PM

I have truly resigned myself to remember one thing. A house is just a house and if we must let it go, no biggie we still have what matters.

If things continue to go up and dh's work doesn't get better we will be in serious trouble. We have been lucky enough to get by but I don't know how much longer that will happen. Today gas was 3.79 ! I can't pay that. I filled it half way and plan to stay home. DD may have to change schools next yr so I can walk her.
I don't want to have to compromise my kids education for the sake of saving gas money but it may be that bad.

Food prices have caused me to give up most of the fresh produce I have been eating to get healthy. So I only have the choice to go hungry or eat processed foods.