Why doesn't the Federal government just take over SNAP food distribution?

[Sheldon Cooper]

56. Yes, they use vouchers now and yes, the rules are byzantine.

Although they are in effect to insure the healthiest possible choices, they are ridiculously complicated. And as someone who worked as a cashier in a supermarket, I can reliably state that making even one mistake on a WIC order was grounds for termination. I saw it happen, so I know it's true.

Here is a link to the guidelines in CA. They are pretty similar to the ones we use in PA.

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks/WIC%20Foods/WIC-AuthorizedFoods-WICAuthorizedFoodListShoppingGuideFAQs.pdf

Some of the highlights:

Why is it hard to find 16 oz 100% whole wheat bread at the store?
Stores are not required to carry the 16 oz 100% whole wheat bread as long as there
is another allowed whole grain in the required quantity of 16 ounces. It is important
for participants to tell their stores that they would purchase the 16 oz 100% whole
wheat bread if the stores stock it.

If a participant buys any whole grains in bulk and goes over 16 oz due to scale
differences, what are the options for the participant? Can she pay the
difference?
The vendor can adjust the quantity to 16 ounces because the WIC Program will not
pay for a quantity exceeding the specified quantity on the check (food instrument).
Participants are not allowed to pay the difference on any check except for the Fruit
and Vegetable check.

Why can’t participants buy stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, pizza sauce,
spaghetti sauce, ketchup, salsa, and soup?
USDA does not allow tomato products with added sugar, fat, or oils. All of the listed
items typically contain at least one of these ingredients.


The WIC Authorized Food List Shopping Guide shows that participants can
purchase juice blends. Can a participant buy orange-tangerine juice?
No, participants can only buy juice blends, which are named as one or more of the
authorized flavors on the front label. For example, apple-grape blend is allowed
because apple and grape are both authorized flavors. Tangerine is not an authorized
flavor.