The Trump government would save about 130 billion dollars and decrease the possibilities of fraud that occur with the food stamps system, with this food boxes program similar to Clap in Venezuela
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, has proposed a new feeding program, which consists of changing the social aid, which until now is given by means of coupons or cards, for food packed in boxes that would be delivered to the beneficiaries' doors.
The system is similar to the one created by the Venezuelan Government with the Local Supply and Production Committees to deal with the impact on the economy.
This program would impact more than 16 million low-income households in the US. It is a box with products "100% produced and harvested" in the country, such as: peanut butter, fruit and canned meats, pasta and cereals, among others.
The Trump government would save about 130 billion dollars and decrease the possibilities of fraud that occur with the food stamps system, which works through debit cards.
This was reported by the director of the budget of the White House, Mick Mulvaney, who said that the plan would directly put the US government in charge of what is included in the dishes of more than 16 million low-income households.
"We lower the cost because we can buy wholesale prices, while the beneficiaries have to buy it at retail," Mulvaney said. "It also makes sure they get nutritious food. So we are very excited about that. "
According to a summary of the proposal compiled by the Department of Agriculture, the boxes would replace approximately half of the cash benefits of the current program. All food would be grown in the country and would include "non-perishable" items such as juices, pasta, canned meat and beans.
Focus that the rest of the household benefits will continue to be provided through the current electronic Transfer of Benefits card and that this proposal would save $ 129.2 billion during the ten year period between the fiscal year (FY) 2019 and the fiscal year 2028. This estimate represents approximately $ 2.5 billion per year in additional administrative funds for the states.
The boxes are "a devastating blow"
The proposal attracted rapid opposition from many fronts, including the supermarket industry, where food stamps generate 7.5 percent of sales, according to Customer Growth Partners. The company estimated that only Walmart gets more than a fifth of all food stamp sales. "Maybe this proposal would save money on an account, but based on our decades of experience in the program, it would increase costs in other areas that would deny any savings, "said IMF public policy director Jennifer Hatcher.
The food box also faces an uncertain political future as the Republican presidents of the agriculture committees of the House and the Senate signaled their skepticism. The White House budget also requires $ 58 billion in cuts to agricultural and insurance subsidies in 10 years.
According to the USDA summary, states would have "substantial flexibility" to distribute food boxes and could use commercial delivery services. The White House also argued that the government is already providing direct food aid to many households through programs such as free or reduced price school lunches and a food delivery program for seniors.
But Stacy Dean, vice president of food assistance policy at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities on the left, said that only about 630,000 people participate in the delivery service for the elderly, a minuscule number compared to the vast apparatus that would be required to manage the food boxes. He also challenged the administration's claim that it could save billions by buying food directly. "When combined with reduced health insurance and other basic supports, it's just a devastating blow for people and low-income communities," Dean said.
