• velma@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    23 hours ago

    The SNAP program provides a monthly stipend for low-income families to buy groceries, but it doesn’t pay for hot prepared foods. The exclusion, which dates back decades, was meant to promote home cooking. But critics say it’s outdated and penalizes families that are already struggling to make ends meet, excluding convenient and nutritious options.

    SNAP is a major piece of the U.S. social safety net used by nearly 42 million, or about 1 in 8, Americans to help buy groceries. On average, the monthly benefit per household is about $350, and the average benefit per person is about $190.

    It’s so short-sighted to exclude hot prepared foods from SNAP. So many people don’t have time and consistent access to kitchens where they can cook every meal. I hope this passes.

    • [object Object]@lemmy.ca
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      22 hours ago

      I buy a Costco chicken then make (healthy) soup with the bones.

      The value for price on that thing is incredible.

      • Kowowow@lemmy.ca
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        22 hours ago

        Chicken, microwave steamable frozen mixed veggies and some starchy thing that can even be left over bread if you don’t mind

        The mixed peas, carrots, green beans and lima bean one is not perfect but it’s cheap and effective

        • [object Object]@lemmy.ca
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          22 hours ago

          This is going to sound gross, but you can make a gravy out of the liquid at the bottom of the rotisserie chicken bag and a 1/4cuo of flour.

          Not as good as the drippings from cooking a raw chicken, which is why I throw it in my soup pot, but still acceptable.

          Also Costco sells frozen Demi-baguettes, you can heat them in 8 minutes plus oven preheat time. They taste great. I throw a ramekin with water in the oven with them so they slightly steam and get crunchy crusts.

          • Kowowow@lemmy.ca
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            20 hours ago

            No that stuff at the bottom is pretty good, normally after the breasts and limbs are gone I pull apart the whole thing and mix it with a bit of milk and cheese to make patties for sandwiches

    • Maeve@kbin.earth
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      22 hours ago

      I bet those benefit averages drop drastically, beginning with 2026. Gotta tax cut for billionaires so they can have more foie gras, coffee, and avocado toast on private jets and yachts.