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In reply to the discussion: Do SNAP Food Restrictions Help Health, or Punish Poor People? [View all]Mossfern
(4,256 posts)I was an Employment Specialist for out County's equivalent program to Welfare to Work - that's just background for explanation of my "cred" about this. Part of my job was to approve the continued issuance of food stamps.
I had pretty close relationships with my clients - I liked them.
What I found was that the vast majority were clueless about nutrition. Some didn't even know that vegetables grew from the
ground, but thought they just came in a can. They lived in food deserts - as did their parents and grandparents. I didn't fault my clients about that, it was just the result of generations not understanding or not being taught nutrition in school.
What's needed is instead of requirements for training or work, or in conjunction with that, that there be education in life skills - nutrition, parenting etc with peer support groups lead by informed social workers and educators. Not supporting purchase of foods that are harmful to health is important, no matter how harsh some people may think it is. Good nutrition is a foundation of physical and mental health.
Allowing harmful foods is not helping individuals, but financing their demise.
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