Re "Why we need food stamps" (Forum, March 31): What an original idea Elaine Corn has shown us. You can save on food purchases by shopping for vegetables, fruit, and things that would keep us healthy instead of Ding Dongs and hamburgers.
There was a generation long ago that understood this without food stamps. Perhaps the 33,000 Ph.ds on food stamps could teach those 46.6 million Americans swiping EBT cards how to shop frugally and return the savings to taxpayers.
Corn offers a lesson in economics too. Swiping a CalFresh card for an 89 cent head of broccoli instantly transfers funds from Washington that have a ripple effect benefiting the local economy.
She forgot to mention the broccoli payment begins as a tax dollar taken from Sacramento growers, distributors, and consumers. It returns to our pockets as 89 cents after subtracting the Federal Government administrative fees.
-- Earl Rogers, Sacramento
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