I'm Simply Asking Why
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (109948)
United States
October 25, 2025 8:54am CST
This post is not intended to make a statement, but rather to pose a question and note an observance. There are big differences between those things, of course, and so the aim is to discuss and ponder the possible why.
Because this is not something I just observed yesterday. This is something I have always observed.
Shopping carts at the grocery store.
9 times out of 10, and fairly consistently, one can predict how someone will be paying for their groceries based on how full their cart is. No, that's not an opinion. It's true.
It can be predicted.
If the cart is heaping and overflowing, the person at the register will almost always be paying with a card issued by the government through a food assistance program. If the cart is less full, the person will be paying with their own money.
It begs the question, how does the government actually determine benefits? What averages does it use and from what data? Because if people who do not qualify for benefits who can afford their own groceries buy less, and survive quite nicely, how is it determined that people who cannot pay need more?
One can also observe the types of items they buy. Fish, beef, particularly shellfish and steak. Those are "special" items in the cart of someone who can afford their own food, but staples in a cart filled by someone using government funding.
Why do you think this is? Like I said, this is not to make a statement. It's to get people really thinking about the way the system works and why there is an obvious imbalance.
On top of that, do the ones who are paying the grocery bills for others have the right to question this and ask for an explanation?
I think we do. So, what say you. I want to pick your brain on this.
10 people like this
10 responses
@BarBaraPrz (50527)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
17h
I'm sorry, I don't live on your planet so have never come across this.
5 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (50527)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
17h
@porwest In Canada, people who are on Welfare or Disability get a cheque that is supposed to cover all expenses: food, housing, heat, water, electricity... usually not near enough to afford necessities, never mind "special" things. Even if they go to a food bank, they're lucky to get peanut butter, cereal, pasta, canned peas... no steak.
1 person likes this
@porwest (109948)
• United States
15h
@BarBaraPrz It made me curious, so I looked into some data and the programs offered in Canada, and it appears families can receive up to $1,951 a month, and as you stated, in a lump sum rather than fettered out into specific use requirements. That's around $23,412 a year.
By contrast, the average welfare recipient across all 50 states in the U.S. receive annual benefits across all programs of about $28,500 a year. Although in nine states it's more like $35,000 a year
To put this into perspective, the median cost of living in the U.S. is $2,516 a month, or about $30,192, while in Canda it's $2,611 per month or $31,332 a year.
Using the U.S. median, isn't it interesting to learn that what welfare recipients are paid the equivalent of a 40 hour a week job paying $13.70. Considering this "wage" is not taxed, the benefit is even greater than someone actually working and making $13.70 an hour.
In fact, I was curious and so I did the math and found that in order for someone to take home $13.70 an hour after taxes they would have to be making $17.56 an hour before taxes.
So...in conclusion, a person on welfare in the United States makes $17.56 an hour essentially without working a day.
I have no idea about the tax system in Canada to do the math there, but I do know taxes are generally higher in Canada due to all of the other social programs they have such as universal health care.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (197867)
• United States
17h
I have not observed this personally, but I do know one former mylot member seemed like got an extraodinary amount of money per month for one person on food assistance programs. I would find it hard to spend that much money if I tried..but some people really depend on these programs..especially now in this state with all the layoffs. A state of emergency has been declared as SNAP will likely not be paying in November. The Food banks are really well stocked in this state and have quite a network but I think they will have a huge influx at least that is what I am hearing on the news.
3 people like this
@noni1959 (10868)
• United States
14h
@porwest I wonder how some are determined as well. I read a woman will not get her$1100 a month worth and I was floored. I know groceries are hard but that is a lot. I know another family who is only getting $300 a month. Two are disabled and not getting their disability yet. I don't get food stamps but sometimes find cheap steaks for $4.
@porwest (109948)
• United States
9h
@noni1959 It's hard telling, especially considering it's not really a federal program, so benefits vary statre to state, as do requirements and benefits parameters. I do know when you add up benefits across all areas of benefits, between food stamps, rental assistance, energy assistance and other programs, the average welfare recipient receives almost $30,000 a year in total benefits, equivalent to a job that would pay $13.70 an hour on a full-time 40 hour work week. When you consider that $13.70 is before tax, welfare recipients actually receive $17.56 an hour without working a single day.
1 person likes this
@porwest (109948)
• United States
17h
From what I have heard from most people on food assistance is that they really have to work at it to use up all the money, which therein lies part of the question I posed. How are benefits determined? And why do the benefits appear to exceed what people buy with their own money?
As for the dependence, I get it. Some people do need these benefits, and I fully support that. At the same time, what they receive should at least be proportionate with what people have to buy themselves with their own money, especially considering the ones filling their carts are the ones not getting the benefits, technically.
I don't mind someone eating on my dime. But damn, why does it seem like they might actually be eating BETTER than me? lol
As for SNAP, and the government shutdown overall, that's the fault of the Democrats. If they don't budge, it's on them if people starve.
And by the way, they won't. Food pantries are ubiquitous and people will find a way one way or the other. They figured out how to get the benefits, which can be a complicated process...so I am sure they will also find a way to eat.
2 people like this
@sallypup (66477)
• Centralia, Washington
5h
This is news to me. I pay with my own money and I haven't bought steak or other animal product in a few years. You appear to be quite observant on what others put in their grocery carts and how much is going in those carts.
@noni1959 (10868)
• United States
14h
That is an interesting observation. My son would argue with you. He never pays less than $300 each trip to Walmart or Costco, with the last being to Costco at over $500. He is a cash paying customer. I don't get food stamps and depends on my budget level, mine can be two bags only or a cart full. I hate shopping so try to budget where I only go once a month except occasional fresh stuff. My daughter doesn't get food stamps either but they shop big full carts. What is in our carts can depend on the time of month, what is left at home and may make some think we don't get many vegetables or good food, but in reality, we are trying to add to what we already have. I had a friend years ago who worked but needed food stamp assistance. She got $50 worth and stretched it with her wages. She bought good food and vegetables but always looked for a treat on sale like cookies. The poor deserve something sometimes too. Some on assistance paid their taxes and wound up in need themselves even if still working.
2 people like this
@LooeyVille (69)
• United States
14h
Interesting observation. I don’t shop inside the stores so I don’t know
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (166143)
• United States
5h
Usually when I see full carts where I shop, it is not people who use food stamps or whatever. More often it is people who shop once a month.Maybe I shop at the wrong time of day? I get in line behind married couples who possibly entertain a lot. I guess I usually look at the quality of what is being purchased.Do they have fresh produce? Frozen? I am not saying that people on foodstamps never make poor choices, I am saying we all do. Believe me, I tried being a landlord, and also was forced into a shared residence with a tenant briefly, and those particular people would buy things that I could not dream of affording . . . sometimes junk food, sometimes exotic ingredients because they saw this recipe on a cooking show on cable. I would get so depressed feeding my kids and me cheapo hamburger. I grew up very poor, but with a dad who would have qualified for disability and would not ask for it. My mom took in ironing at times to stretch the budget. I have known families that did know every place in town to get food vouchers, and did it all the time. Dad showed me to always look for bargains at the store, and I often feel like the discount queen. We possibly would qualify for food stamps if I would bother to apply. Neither of us planned well during our prime working years and our Social Security is low. So, for your experience, in your location, this is a true observation, but it does not necessarily match mine. I live in an area where the community garden offers free surplus to any who will take it, and that leaves more money for meat. Like you, I wish I could pick and choose who benefits from my tax dollars, and I do not think soda or sports drinks should be food stamp able but I have seen both sides of the coin.
I shop with a small shopping cart, by choice.
I think some of what you are seeing is the product of generational poverty. They do not do better because they do not know better, and they feel the system owes them.So they take. But that is not everyone who gets food benefits, just what is noticeable.
@kaylachan (80171)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12h
I'm one of those who recive a monthly alluance through my healthcare insurance for food, utilities etc. I can also use it on (in my opinion) over priced over-the-counter products. Not just medicine, but products like my husband's incontance care, which I'm thankful for as that's an out-of-pocket expense not covered by insurance. Many places aren't even aware he has a problem.
I would also like to point out, I am the exception oto the rule. George and I rarely if ever, buy things like steak or fish. In fact, when it comes to seafood, George and I aren't the biggest fans.
Now, I can't speak for every govornment-based assistance card, but I know how mine works.
Uniteded healthcare, my insurance provider, has a rolling inventory of products you're allowed to buy, with a list of acceptable prices and price ranges for so-called non-healthy options. If we shop at a listed store and scan the card, the card works in tandom with the pos. It cross checks everythingve we've scanned against their approved list, and will deduct the ammount from the card, and if something's not covered, or I don't have enough left, then I pay the difference out-of-pocket.
Again, I know this, because I can check products against their approved list with their built-in barcode scanner.
As for steak, or fish, while often more expincive, the govornment views them as healthier alternitives to pre-packaged over processed junk like chicken tenders or something like that. Because they are so pricy, if it is covered that person may only have enough to buy that item once, and if they're lucky, twice a month.
Since govornment assistance is issued by individual over 18, based on their income (not the income of the household), If a family had adult children living at home, they could use that person's card.
Employees aren't required to card, or varify who's using the assistance card. In a lot of cases, snap or some food stanp cards, don't even have a name printed on them.
@xstitcher (36149)
• Petaluma, California
5h
I use an EBT card, and I don't have "heaping" grocery carts when I check out. 
@Nevena83 (65819)
• Serbia
14h
Very interesting. I hadn't thought about that. My cart is mostly empty and that means I have no money.
