I read an editorial today arguing that food stamps shouldn’t be used to buy soda or candy. I get it. Health matters. Public dollars should promote wellness. We want people to get back on their feet, not fall deeper into bad habits.
But here’s the part people forget: dignity.
I grew up in a low-income household. I've been there. I’ve stood in that checkout line, EBT card in hand, aware of every side-eye from people pretending not to judge. And let me tell you—if a candy bar or a cold soda once in a while is the only “treat” someone has in their week, who are we to take that away?
Food stamps aren’t just about food. They’re about survival. And sometimes surviving means holding on to some sense of normalcy. Restrict everything to bare essentials, and what you're left with isn't just nutrition—it's a miserable, flavorless existence. That’s not a society lifting people up. That’s punishment with a barcode.
Want to fix the system? Educate, inspire, create access to better choices—but don’t strip the joy out of someone’s cart just because you’ve never had to walk in their shoes.
We can push for better without kicking people when they're down.