What I'd like to do to improve the food stamp program

[Shandris]

26. Erm...there's a potential problem in the interaction of 1 and 3

Or did you mean refined/processed sugar? Because fruit is -loaded- with sugar, just not refined.

Also, the protein one can be problematic with a lot of people; for instance, people with cirrhosis need to avoid -most- (but not all) lean protein, but non-animal fatty proteins (read: peanut butter) are very good for them. Also Iron-deficient people need to make up for it oftentimes (but not always, it depends on the type/severity of the anemic state). I relate the anemic/cirrhotic one because I help someone who has both conditions at once, making trying to balance their nutrition a nightmare. As another matter of course, it should be pointed out that for people who have been overweight, fresh fruits and vegetables are about as filling as a Chinese takeout meal until you start hitting ginormous quantities. Finally, the locally-sourced part is political and has little to do with nutrition, even if its a political statement I agree with.

I agree with the overall sentiment to be certain, but so many of us people who are/could be on food stamps have lots of problems that a 'simple' nutritional plan won't accommodate for. Now, your plan is definitely better than the all-too-common "Lets grab McDonalds every day!" approach, but we would need to decide just how far we're willing to take the idea in regards to the people we want to help.

I guess I'm trying to say that while its a well-intentioned plan, it's one that isn't quite as simple as it seems and we need to be aware of that fact if we are going to -seriously- discuss an implementation. I'm definitely -not- saying we shouldn't consider it at all.