Safe/unsafe food?

[sumi]

I found this article on FB this morning. It's a sobering thought... I don't wish to start a discussion on the shutdown and its affects on so many departments, but I do want to leave this here for you guys that are affected:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/he...X3F6tXQTwoazISqUNzeXM7MDnS_8-jbrwjsglxwyEo0iY

I couldn't help thinking now, being independent food-wise, growing and canning your own produce, even on a small scale, is a very, very good thing!

 

[Lazy Gardener]

No food stamps? Talk about kicking the poor when they are down. Aside from my personal reservations about how that program can and should be made better... that program, along with the WIC program means the difference for a lot of people: between going to bed hungry, and going to bed with nutritional needs being met for the day. Or not having to make a choice between medication, food, or shelter.

I was once at the local WIC office. I asked the receptionist if they would accept donated garden produce. (They had a table in the waiting room full of day old bread that clients could take home with them) I was told that they would not accept donated garden produce. Yet, at the same time, they have vouchers for produce that clients could use at local farmer's markets. Yep, yet an other brilliant example of how well Big Brother is taking care of the folks under his care. One woman heard this exchange. She got all excited: "You have a garden? You grow vegetables?" I took a few minutes to explain how easy it would be for her to have a small salad garden right outside her apartment door. The next words out of her mouth: "I've never grown anything in my life."

How simple it would be to offer the hope and empowerment that knowing how to grow even a few salad plants would be. This is one of my passions.

 

[Mini Horses]

Perhaps requiring work to earn the resources. Similar to the Habitat for Humanity program

Absolutely! And required to enter programs to help with health issues -- exercise, lose weight, controlled eating with nutritional diets, learn to cook, vice buy processed/ready made.....lot of SS things than should be done OR no checks. Require training to get jobs.

GRRRR.....let the aged, can't work, get the $$ to have groceries and heat and cooling, etc.

Used to be that gov't actually provided the food, not a blank check. You went to the location, received allotment by choosing available (healthy) items. Not a shelf of chips, dips and candy! I believe people need snacks & treats but, only after healthy food.

done

 

[Lazy Gardener]

The HS in my district actually has a green house. There is a bee keeping course offered in the HS. The middle school has planted a small orchard. I don't know how well these additions to the curiculae are used. But, a greenhouse and/or garden could be used to teach: Math, Science, Social Studies, English, History, Art, Business Management, Home Ec., Add a small flock of chickens, and composting including vermicomposting, and the teaching opportunities become boundless.

 

[Mini Horses]

And there surely are folks who "work" the system. But, there is another side of the story and I see it every day.

1000 X agree. I just wish we could weed out those who abuse and give more to these who try hard and need help!! Teach them the way. I don't mean everyone can grow but they can be taught choices. Not that a person should not eat chips or candy but, learn that is not the main choice for nutrition.

There must be a way to do this. We see it and want to make it better. Some just need it, others just waste it. That's my point, really -- funneling to help those who need. I am for that always.

The HS in my district actually has a green house. There is a bee keeping course offered in the HS. The middle school has planted a small orchard. I don't know how well these additions to the curiculae are used. But, a greenhouse and/or garden could be used to teach: Math, Science, Social Studies, English, History, Art, Business Management, Home Ec., Add a small flock of chickens, and composting including vermicomposting, and the teaching opportunities become boundless

Our schools do this, also. Rural areas and advanced tech. Our county made laptops available for every school child. The shops have built the coops, chicks donated, etc. The kids LEARN so much. They have gardens, planted and worked by the kids. Those who want can carry home produce. Amazingly the kids themselves seem to share on a "need" basis!! I love this part of teaching. They learn how, what, compassion and responsibility. Our county schools rock! They also have some of THE best ratings in the State.

 

[baymule]

Most people have no clue what is in their food, and don't care.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Thanks Sumi. I live in a little bubble, and don't even listen to local or national news, do not take the news paper. I was vaguely aware of rumor of government shut down, but totally unaware of when or how extensive. Hubby and I were going to buy bulk hamburg at a national chain store today. Reading that article convinced me that NOW would be a good time to look at all the meats I have stored in the freezer and use those up first.

 

[Britesea]

Yep.. this qualifies as a "SHTF" situation, even if it turns out to be fairly short term

 

[FarmerJamie]

..

...One woman heard this exchange. She got all excited: "You have a garden? You grow vegetables?" I took a few minutes to explain how easy it would be for her to have a small salad garden right outside her apartment door. The next words out of her mouth: "I've never grown anything in my life."

How simple it would be to offer the hope and empowerment that knowing how to grow even a few salad plants would be. This is one of my passions.

A lifetime ago, my ex wife took a friend of a friend under her wing. Got her and her daughters a place to stay, etc. Was total amazement of my gardens, chickens, and food stores. Wanted to learn. I spent several weekends getting her a garden set up, with food they liked, coaching them on what too do. She was healthy but had no job. 2 months later she mowed the garden over because "That was way to much work, and I get WIC anyways." Had a deal where We would cover the cost of meat chickens if they would feed them (we bought the feed) and help put them up after butchering. They help package.....their portion....and promptly left....

NEVER.AGAIN.

 

[Mini Horses]

Well, we were speaking of those receiving government assistance for food stamps, welfare, etc. OUR tax dollars. I see too, too, too many scamming the system. That needs to stop. Just my opinion.