Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

[Sapiens]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm..._costco28.html

Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

Issaquah-based retailer tested program at Costco stores in Queens and Brooklyn.

By Melissa Allison

Seattle Times business reporter

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Costco CEO Jim Sinegal



Costco CEO Jim Sinegal

Costco Wholesale plans to accept food stamps at its warehouse stores nationwide, a major shift for a company that earlier this year said it doubted there would be enough demand among customers to warrant accepting food stamps in even one market, New York City.

"The rules are different today," CEO Jim Sinegal said. "People who were in good shape financially all of the sudden are needing some assistance."

He expects Costco to accept food stamps in at least half its roughly 410 U.S. stores by Thanksgiving, including its 28 locations in Washington state.

The decision comes several months after the country's third-largest retailer began a food-stamp test at stores in Queens and Brooklyn, in response to pressure from politicians who asked the company to accept food stamps at an East Harlem store scheduled to open next month.

At first, the Issaquah company balked at the idea, saying it doubted its customers, who pay an annual fee of at least $50 would use food stamps.

Since launching the test in New York this summer, it changed its mind.

Customers have contacted Costco to say they are using food stamps, Sinegal said.

And once the software was in place to accept them in New York, it became relatively easy to roll out the program nationally, he said.

Costco currently accepts food stamps at nine stores, mostly on the East Coast and in El Centro, Calif.

About 420,000 families receive food stamps in Washington, up 30 percent from a year ago, according to Leo Ribas, director of community services at the state Department of Social and Health Services. On average, they receive $248 a month.

"We were aware that Costco was piloting an effort on the East Coast and are very excited to know it's expanding," Ribas said.

"From a dollar and cents perspective, it's money that gets spent in their stores and, with the way the caseload is growing, it's pretty smart on their part."

Costco must identify which products qualify for food-stamp purchases. They cannot be used to buy nonfood items, including diapers and toilet paper or ready-to-eat hot food.

The company is working with food-stamp administrators, beginning in hard-hit areas like Michigan and the central valley of California, Sinegal said.

"It will be moving quickly, assuming we have no glitches with what we've been setting up," he said.

Melissa Allison: 206-464-3312 or mallison@seattletimes.com

Food stamps are an alternate currency, if you don't think so, visit a low income neighborhood. Those with benefit cards have changed somewhat but enterprising drug dealers have found a way to accept those credits to their benefit.

[don]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

"The rules are different today," CEO Jim Sinegal said. "People who were in good shape financially all of the sudden are needing some assistance."

As predicted, wages and salaries will become increasingly socialized....

[stanley2008]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

So, you are flat broke and on food stamps, and your going to go shop at Costco eh?

It sounds ridiculous to me.

[Quincy K]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

As everyone here already knows, the new welfare "coupons" have been replaced by debit cards.

The USG has successfully eliminated the negative stigma behind government assistance. Free money for everyone.

Anything to keep the Ponzi going.

[GRG55]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

As everyone here already knows, the new welfare "coupons" have been replaced by debit cards.

The USG has successfully eliminated the negative stigma behind government assistance. Free money for everyone.

Anything to keep the Ponzi going.

The food production, processing and distribution system requires considerable energy input. At $80 oil the cost of food is significantly more in both nominal and real terms than during the last recession.

Perhaps the "elimination of the negative stigma" is a factor, but I think the squeeze between loss of income and rising food costs is causing a whole lotta hurtin' in America.

If food costs were really going down, as the deflationistas keep insisting, this problem wouldn't be nearly as acute. Just imagine how many more people can't afford to eat if oil goes back above $100...

[cjppjc]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

Good for Costco. I'm not sure why the hesitancy.

[Ghent12]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

"Welcome to Costco. I love you."

[Quincy K]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

The food production, processing and distribution system requires considerable energy input. At $80 oil the cost of food is significantly more in both nominal and real terms than during the last recession.

Perhaps the "elimination of the negative stigma" is a factor, but I think the squeeze between loss of income and rising food costs is causing a whole lotta hurtin' in America.

If food costs were really going down, as the deflationistas keep insisting, this problem wouldn't be nearly as acute. Just imagine how many more people can't afford to eat if oil goes back above $100...

I don't think that you understood the basis of my post. Many Americans would never use food stamps because of the public embarrasment and humility factor.

With debit cards, that has now been eliminated.

In previous times, I believe that the majority of Americans would never consciously "milk" the System because of moral integrity.

Now, I think that a lot of people just don't give a fu_k and rightfully so.

Normal good people are going to start turning bad.

[metalman]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

I don't think that you understood the basis of my post. Many Americans would never use food stamps because of the public embarrasment and humility factor.

With debit cards, that has now been eliminated.

In previous times, I believe that the majority of Americans would never consciously "milk" the System because of moral integrity.

Now, I think that a lot of people just don't give a fu_k and rightfully so.

Normal good people are going to start turning bad.

great insight... debt is a 'rich man's problem'...

[jbm3996]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

I don't think that you understood the basis of my post. Many Americans would never use food stamps because of the public embarrasment and humility factor.
With debit cards, that has now been eliminated.
In previous times, I believe that the majority of Americans would never consciously "milk" the System because of moral integrity.
Now, I think that a lot of people just don't give a fu_k and rightfully so.
Normal good people are going to start turning bad.

The corruption is complete. America and true free market capitalism are officially dead. Welcome to the new Socialist Republic of America. I am DEEPLY saddened by this ........
You know, I grew up on a farm in Indiana, and it was a hard life. I learned early on that hard work is supposed to mean something. When I left the farm, though, urban life taught me more about the difficulty of modern life ... two times in my adult life I had to live in my car, and many times I did not have a thing to eat, but I NEVER gave up on free market capitalism and I never felt "entitled" to any handouts. I studied hard sending myself through undergraduate school and getting the first masters degree ever in my family, I sacrificed, and worked long long hours and finally have enough that I don't have to worry .. or so I thought. Now I find that those who have "gamed" the system and others who haven't an ethical fiber in their body have brought the economy to its knees and are busy destroying the country with their self-entitlement attitudes ... the country that I've worked so hard to live in and be a productive part of.
..... food stamps in a membership fee store ... ABSURD ...people SHOULD be embarrassed to use food stamps in a fee membership store ... I certainly couldn't shop at COSTCO when I was poor - there was no place to store the large quantities IN MY CAR !!!:mad:

[Rajiv]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

You do not shop for one family in this model -- you pool a number of families, say 5-10. Make lists, use the food stamps, and share. The cost savings may be substantial. We used this model in the 70's when students could become eligible for food stamps. Buy wholesale and share! (People ineligible for food stamps would also participate -- except that they would pay cash)

[GRG55]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

I don't think that you understood the basis of my post. Many Americans would never use food stamps because of the public embarrasment and humility factor.

With debit cards, that has now been eliminated...

Thanks for the clarification...you and I don't really fundamentally disagree.

No doubt the "humility factor" was one tempering influence over the use and abuse of the food stamp system. Same applies to other sources of aid such as food banks. The debit card system may be open to more abuse, but I still think most people in the system need it.

More and more I see people being interviewed up here [Canada] that flat out state that they are embarrassed to have to resort to a food bank for the first time, but don't know what else to do having exhausted all other alternatives. This speaks volumes about how our society has changed...in particular how far we've "progressed" in breaking down the family unit, which is where one would naturally have turned to for help in days gone by.

In previous times, I believe that the majority of Americans would never consciously "milk" the System because of moral integrity.

Now, I think that a lot of people just don't give a fu_k and rightfully so.

Normal good people are going to start turning bad.

Now we've created a society where more and more people expect "the government" to be responsible for fixing every problem and protecting us from the consequences of our own behaviour.

What has changed just recently is the realization that if one is a banker who has badly misbehaved, the protection from "the government" is immediate, generous, and open-ended, but if one is poor and one's folly was, say, to be living in New Orleans when Katrina arrived, the government has a different attitude about its responsibilities.

You are absolutely correct that good people are turning bad. When so many of our politicians, lawyers, bankers, and other business leaders appear to lack a moral compass, and benefit so handsomely from that character flaw, is it any surprise their behaviours filter down through the rest of society?

[strittmatter]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

... ABSURD ...people SHOULD be embarrassed to use food stamps in a fee membership store ... :mad:

I'm on your side here jbm, but you know as well as I that this is nothing new -fact is "we" have entitled and eazy-way-out'ed ourselves into oblivion.

When I was a punk'en rebellious teenage kid my father would say, "Boy - I give up, your just gonna have to fall flat on your face before you ever recognize the need to change". He was right, I fell, the need then became crystal clear.

The re-education period has just begun:


http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dw...26aee92ce.html
Agency offers help for jobless in Frisco (Texas)

FRISCO — It's estimated that 270,000 North Texans are unemployed. The problem is evident since unemployment has risen steadily for the past few months.

Many of those jobless workers are seeking help from social service agencies for the very first time — even in affluent suburbs like Frisco. For them, it's an emotional and often traumatic experience.

Bethany Sollenberger lost her job doing marketing for a Plano dental practice. In addition to caring for her own children, she has taken in her sister's kids — she lost her job and her home.

"I have a college degree and I had a great job," Sollenberger said. "I was looking to purchase a new house when I lost my job."

Sollenberger had a tough time making ends meet, so she went to Frisco Family Services Center.

"That was really hard for me. I wanted to be out here volunteering and helping out," she said. "Instead, I had to come here and sign up for help."
Sollenberger is among a growing number of people seeking help from a social service agency for the first time. More than half of those who come to the Frisco agency are just like her.

"They've now gone through all of their savings and then some; have borrowed from friends and family; and have nowhere else to turn," said Jill Cumnock, executive director of the FFSC. "Now they're turning to us to feed their families, keep their utilities on and prevent them from losing their homes."

Frisco Family Services Center provides food and other assistance for 1,800 families. That adds up to about 6,000 people, an incredibly high number for a suburban community perceived as being affluent.
Nicole Bursey the director of client services at the center, said some people have a difficult time accepting their new fate.

"What we're hearing is: 'Wow, I can't believe I'm in this situation. I've worked hard all my life.'"

Without the agency, Sollenberger said she doesn't know where she would have found a helping hand.

Tis the season to be humble............

[Fiat Currency]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

And recently reported ...

Americans on food stamps tops 36 million, new record

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans receiving food stamp assistance soared above 36 million for the first time in August, the eighth month in a row that enrollment set a record, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Wednesday.

USDA said 36.492 million people were receiving food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In July, enrollment stood at 35.851 million. At the current rate, an estimated one in eight Americans receive benefits.

[BrianL]

Re: Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally

Costco is about buying in bulk... which is cheaper... which makes sense for people short on money. Many people who already have membership were probably hit in the downturn - their membership is already paid - so no additional cost there. Costco was probably losing their buisness by not accepting stamps.

So it benefits the customer and the store. This seems like a good move for both parties.