General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why Is Mario Batali on Food Stamps? [View all]lapislzi
(5,762 posts)He has transportation available so he can return that spoiled chicken to the place of purchase. He has leisure time to shop around for bargains. He's not standing at the bus stop with a stinky chicken in a plastic bag waiting for a bus that usually runs late. He's not losing time from work.
His entire job consists of cooking and food-related activities. He has all day to simmer those beans. He has a good education in food science and nutrition behind him. He makes wise choices, some of which are unavailable to people on public assistance. Mini gala apples at the corner convenience store? Doubtful.
He faces few of the challenges of the low-income family. He has income sources to pay for the things food stamps don't pay for: toilet paper, tampons, soap.
I don't like the idea of eating off food stamps to sound fun. It's not. I would like to see him and his family in a one-bedroom apartment for a week, using public transportation to their two or three low-wage jobs while juggling child care.
That being said, I applaud his work and efforts to bring visibility to food insecurity.