MetaFilter posts tagged with snap

"Let Wisconsin be the test case. Let us lead the way."

divined by radio — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:02:50 -0800

By a bipartisan vote of 68-26, the Wisconsin state Assembly has approved AB-110, a measure requiring beneficiaries of SNAP -- known in Wisconsin as FoodShare, or more colloquially as food stamps -- to spend at least 2/3 of their monthly benefits on items from "a list of state-defined healthy foods" [PDF]. Even if the bill is approved by the state Senate and signed by Gov. Scott Walker, its existence remains purely symbolic; its proposed application is illegal at the federal level. Since the federal government provides the vast majority of funding for the FoodShare/SNAP program in the state, Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS) would need to acquire a waiver directly from the Obama administration in order to implement the bill -- a procedural move that has been attempted several times, none successfully. "[T]here are no figures on how much of the nearly $1.2 billion a year in FoodShare benefits in Wisconsin are spent on junk food," and the DHS has confirmed that "no studies have looked at the spending on different kinds of groceries within Wisconsin's FoodShare program" [source]. Even the bill's lead sponsor, state Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) "acknowledges he hasn't seen any figures on what portion of FoodShare goes for unhealthy purchases and that he can't be sure his proposal as written would increase the amount of nutritious food purchased" [source]. Although the bill is both unable to be legally implemented and resoundingly opposed by groups as disparate as high-powered corporate lobbyists, megaconglomerates like Kraft Food Group, and local non-profit organizations like Hunger Task Force, its passage remains a top priority for a number of Wisconsin's elected officials. In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, AB-110 co-sponsor Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc), husband of Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, stated, "We are just simply saying if you are going to take the money that we have worked so hard for as taxpayers and use it . . . there should be some limitations" [source]. When asked about current FoodShare spending levels on "healthy" vs. "non-healthy" foods, lead sponsor Sen. Kaufert admitted, "Nobody knows anything except anecdotally" [source], and continues on his quest for Wisconsin to be the first state allowed to restrict SNAP purchases via USDA waiver: "Let Wisconsin be the test case. Let us lead the way" [source]. Six years after a 2004 "no food stamps for junk food" bill introduced in Minnesota by then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty was rejected by the USDA, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg made headlines -- and merited another USDA rejection -- with an attempt to ban food stamp recipients from using their benefits to purchase soda and other sugary beverages (previously). In 2012 alone, eight states introduced measures to limit or restrict food purchases made using SNAP benefits, but none were passed or implemented [source]. One such bill was introduced in Florida in January 2012, and April 2012 saw Gov. Nathan Deal sign HB-861, which required all Georgia welfare applicants to pass a drug test before receiving benefits (previously). In light of a similar bill in Florida being suspended by a federal judge in late 2011, the ultimate fate of Georgia's HB-861 remains unknown. In June 2012, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) proposed an amendment to the federal Farm Bill designed to cut $322 billion in SNAP funding; the amendment was defeated in a 65-33 vote. And just last month, the Tennessee state legislature advanced a bill that would have reduced TANF (cash) benefits paid to parents by 30% if their children failed to maintain a state-approved level of scholastic performance (previously). The sponsor of the bill, state Sen. Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville) withdrew it from consideration after being publicly shamed by an 8-year-old constitutent, Aamira Fetuga. Bonus rounds: * SNAP eligibility levels, sorted by household size and maximum monthly income. * Nearly 15% -- almost 47 million -- of the United States' 312 million citizens received SNAP benefits in CY 2012. * In FY 2012, the average monthly benefit paid to an individual SNAP recipient in Wisconsin was $116.50. SNAP beneficiaries in Guam and Hawaii get the most at $216.14 and $213.65 per month, respectively, while Minnesota and Wisconsin come in at the bottom of the pack at $115.91 and $116.50 per month, respectively. * In 2011, the USDA wrote a position paper decrying attempts to restrict food purchases made with SNAP benefits [PDF], stating in part, "No clear standards exist for defining foods as good or bad, or healthy or not healthy." * USDA Food and Nutrition Service SNAP Program Data, including interactive maps and annual data at the state and national level. * Learn more about how amendments to the annual federal Farm Bill can affect SNAP benefits. * The history of SNAP. * More previously on MeFi: Newark, NJ mayor Cory Booker spent a week living on food stamps. * South Carolina's legislature has inserted a clause into the 2013-2014 state budget that would ban Gov. Nikki Haley's office and mansion from purchasing junk food with taxpayer money. Extra bonus: * Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel poll: "Should food stamps be used on junk food?"

“Happy shopping! Enjoy the 1st.”

downing street memo — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 08:01:42 -0800

The food stamp economy of Woonsocket, RI, profiled in The Washington Post.

NPR Snap Judgment Performance of the Year 2012

MCMikeNamara — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:25:26 -0800

15-year-old Noah St. John won this year's Snap Judgment Performance of the Year for his moving story about his two moms and the moment he thought he might lose the family he had always known. (SLYT) (Snap Judgement previously: 1, 2, 3)

Hipsters on food stamps

porn in the woods — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:49:37 -0800

"At first, I thought, 'Why should I be on food stamps?'" said Magida, digging into her dinner. "Here I am, this educated person who went to art school, and there are a lot of people who need them more. But then I realized, I need them, too." Salon takes a look at the growing wave of young people utilizing food stamps.

Snap!

The Devil Tesla — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:23:02 -0800

Don't! Mess! With! A! Snap! Diva! A clip from the 1989 documentary Tongues Untied which is about black gay identity. (via)

1990s dance music covers: reviled, acclaimed, maimed and shamed

filthy light thief — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:21:29 -0800

Free Friday Frantic (Music) Fun: Ergo Phizmiz & The Midnight Florists cover five 1990s chartbusting, dancefloor filling smash hits with arrangements of acoustic, electronic, homemade, and toy instruments. [More musical mischief inside] The five tracks are hosted on WMFU's Free Music Archive, discussed last year when the FMA started up. This EP is via Music for Maniacs, who previously was the source for a link to the J Marimba Ponies performing Khachaturian's Sabre Dance. Original versions: Deee-Lite - "Groove Is In The Heart" (1990) Culture Beat - "Mr Vain" (1993) Eiffel 65 - "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (1999) (plus the intro to Fresh Prince of Bel Air thrown in for good measure) (1990) C & C Music Factory - "Gonna Make You Sweat" (1990) Lou Bega - "Mambo No 5" (1999) Snap - "Rhythm Is A Dancer" (1992) Ergo Phizmiz was discussed previously, first for his groups cover of "White Light, White Heat" (the songs can now be found on this newer blog post, which also includes 9 covers of Aphex Twin and 6 modern R&B [Arff & Beef] covers), and later for his collaborative work on the 14-part podcast about the history and practice of sound collage and mashups. Still looking for more audio oddities from Ergo Phizmiz and associates? His discography on F.M.A. includes: - five scenes from Cervantes' "Don Quixote" in an imaginary ballet setting - 55 minutes of instrumental music from the forthcoming 10 part Ergo Phizmiz radio-art cycle "The House of Dr Faustus" - three short pieces of "personal agitprop" that formed as a "result of increasingly frequent comings to verbal blows with intrusive and arrogant neighbours" - a pilot for a project-in-progress in children's radio that features Ergo's daughters - a short little something that is a tribute to Nicolas Cage Oh, and almost 6 hours from the Collected Radio Works by Ergo Phizmiz.

Jumping spiders are awesome.

lazaruslong — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 07:02:32 -0800

Jumping spiders use their legs to communicate courtship interests to potential mates. The minuscule impacts of spider legs tapping against the ground surface are detected by nearby spiders. This "drumming" cadence signals the spider's reproductive interests. The female detects the low frequency vibrations through her legs. She responds by allowing the male to mount her. Absolutely amazing video here. The sound is the best part, so make sure it's on.

U.S. Catholic priests abused 10,600 children

skallas — Fri, 27 Feb 2004 12:28:48 -0800

U.S. Catholic priests abused 10,600 children The SNAP network exposes myths about priest pedophilia. Perhaps we'd be better off if Mel Gibson made movies about the real victims of Xtianity.

What, no Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs?

Stan Chin — Mon, 03 Mar 2003 08:33:37 -0800

Topher's Breakfast Cereal Character Guide Snap, Crackle, Pop, Boo Berry, Count Chocula, Tony the Tiger (and mysteriously, also a Mrs. Tony), Spock, Powdered Toast Man, Cracklin' Oat Flakes (with Xtasy!), Dr. Dre's Weedies... Send in your Proof of Purchase Kids for a FREE jagged metal Krusty-O in every box and excruciating embedded sound on every page. via the excellent Speckled Paint