Wouldn't nutritional counseling benefit EBT users?

Yes, it is a good idea, but a difficult one to get lawmakers to pay for.

It couldn’t hurt, but I don’t think that’s the big problem. The fact that a head of Cauliflower is more expensive than using the McD’s dollar menu to feed a couple of kids is the problem.

There’s a segment in the Food inc. documentary of a hispanic family going to a supermarket that demonstrates while they would like to eat more fresher foods, it’s just not economically feasible since fresh veggies are much more expensive than processed foods that are made with heavily subsidized corn products, especially soda.

That would be great idea but like @marinelife said, it’ d be hard to get it paid for. A booklet could be made giving ideas, lessons and tips.

I was on EBT years ago and it’s a hard time. But I found tricks that could get healthy food on the table like frozen veggies and fruit. Less expensive but just as tasty. I think that it’s knowledge that will help.

Please, stop me before I answer questions like this again-somebody please! Oh nooooo….
In many cases, not all cases, but many , the reason they are on assistance is that they are too clueless to survive without it. Nutritional counseling is tough enough with people who actually understand it, much less those that do not have skills, smarts, or motivation, to survive on their own. Nobody ever likes this answer, and that is why you have made your accurate observation and why it will always be so.

Everyone could benefit from nutitional couseling and yes,I think your idea is sound.

This problem isn’t specific to families in need. Many people have little knowledge of good nutrition. Is there a reason to single out poor people yet again? Obesity is everyone’s problem. As should be tired parents who simply have no time or money to spend on nutritious dinners. There are many solutions to the issue that aren’t all about blaming the individual (not that that’s what you were doing).

Where I live, the Food Trust “works to improve the health of children and adults, promote good nutrition, increase access to nutritious foods, and advocate for better public policy.”

They are trying to get supermarkets to locate in areas of poverty and they also bring farmer’s markets and nutritional education to those same areas. You can use your EBT at the farmer’s market, too. It seems that a lot of education is needed. There are a surprising amount of people out there who have never eaten broccoli.

Thank you for your great answers everyone. I typed this question while waiting for a return call from Family Services. I asked them if some people with cooking experience could volunteer to teach classes within the system. I have many friends who taught me and it seems like we should be able to pass our collective experience at no cost to the government.

I was told that the process of getting approved to teach anything within the current guidelines is prohibitive. The liability of the govt. for approving any volunteer education is enormous… I was told “Suppose the teacher recommended peanut butter to a family with peanut allergies? Lawsuit waiting to happen.”

The agent I spoke with was sympathetic but bound by regulations. I was referred to private aid organizations.

@Blueroses My sense is that is where the real action will come from. Non-profits are small, and are not as limited by rules as governments are.

Update: I got a return call from the agent suggesting that I and my friends initiate a class through the adult education network. She said we should charge a nominal fee of $5 for a “Healthy eating on a tight budget” class. She also offered to contact the church groups to have them pay the fee for interested clients and said she would unofficially give her clients the recommendation for the class. I’m so impressed to meet someone in the system who actually cares. Now, I need to organize some friends to turn ideas into reality.

My son and his wife were required to attend a nutrition class before they could receive SNAP benefits. Their WIC requires them to attend nutrition classes every month.