All In Your Bizz w/ Reka & Los
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All In Your Bizz w/ Reka & Los
All Up In Your EBT
Remember the days of government cheese blocks and powdered milk that never quite mixed right? Los and Reka take you on a nostalgia trip through the evolution of food assistance programs before diving into today's hot-button issue: Should EBT benefits be regulated?
The hosts share personal experiences with food assistance programs from their childhoods, from the infamous "government cheese" that made the best grilled cheese sandwiches to powdered eggs that left something to be desired. This walk down memory lane leads to a thoughtful examination of modern SNAP benefits and whether recipients should have complete freedom in food choices or face regulations similar to WIC programs.
When Reka admits to feeling jealous watching someone with "two carts around the first of the month" filled with luxury foods and snacks while he carefully budgets for basic groceries, it sparks a deeper conversation about fairness, health consequences, and the purpose of assistance programs. Are taxpayers inadvertently funding unhealthy eating habits that lead to chronic disease? Should benefits be temporary stepping stones or multi-generational supports? The hosts struggle with balancing personal freedom against public health concerns as they debate the pros and cons of EBT regulation.
The conversation takes unexpected turns through grocery store psychology (why all the healthy foods are on the perimeter), creative workarounds people use to get prepared foods with benefits, and why some states might deserve special consideration in any regulatory framework (Louisiana's cuisine gets an enthusiastic exemption). By the end, they arrive at a nuanced "80-20" position favoring some regulation while preserving dignity and choice.
Whether you're a current or former recipient, a taxpayer with strong opinions, or simply curious about this complex issue, this episode offers fresh perspectives without judgment. Share your thoughts with us! Where do you stand on EBT regulation?
Roll your windows up and sing to this Incoming message. It's the Carlos and Rika show. Carlos and Rika show.
Speaker 2:Rika and Carlos, it's all in your biz. We so nosy. I thought you knew.
Speaker 1:Alright, let me dig into this Greasy, sweaty hat here.
Speaker 3:Dig into it what you get.
Speaker 1:Oh no, let's talk about what you laughing about ebt or the food stamps?
Speaker 3:no you're not. You can't come out the gate.
Speaker 1:Talk about ebt oh ebt oh, no, that's I don't call them ebt, I still call them the the stamps. I'm a 70s, 80s baby, so we talk about, we call them food stamps.
Speaker 3:What you do about the fact that they used to be in the book.
Speaker 1:I remember seeing them in the book. My mom used to work for the county and there was a Head Start center attached to the WIC office where people could come and get Back. Then you would go to that particular location and get your. Wic, so you would get flour back. Then you would get powdered milk, that big block of butter.
Speaker 3:You had spit all over the microphone when you said that.
Speaker 1:Powdered milk cheese, that big block of government cheese. Had spit all the microphone when you said that powdered milk cheese, that big block of government cheese everybody knows that, yeah, you can make some bomb grill cheeses or some good macaroni and cheese with that honey used to be a thing I'm trying to think because, uh, they would have leftovers and give them to. My mom was a teacher for head start and they would give those. I guess are those considered commodities?
Speaker 1:yeah, yeah, you know, you put your own business all out there they would give, you know, the, the leftovers that people didn't come and get to the teachers and the head start program, which was a, you know, a state or city or county funded program. You know, our lunch guy was the bus driver and you put everybody and mr jeff. Rest in peace. Mr jeff, they called him city pimp.
Speaker 1:He would make the food and he would drive the bus he did it all he did it all and um, they would have leftover and leftover commodities and then they would give them out and we would take them to our grandmother's house or great-grandmother's house in Bradley, florida, which is outside of Tampa, in Lakeland, and grandma would have to make that powdered milk. You got to use a lot of elbow grease to make that powdered milk. Those those little I don't know what those things are those pockets of powder that was still floating you're laughing and all, but you used to be a particular I was, I was, and look how strong I am.
Speaker 3:That's how strong you are. Today you look at mighty and tall and strong, mighty and strong yeah, like those eggs, you remember, like those powder eggs I never liked powder, even to this day.
Speaker 1:I don't like that liquid egg stuff.
Speaker 3:I don't but guess what? All that stuff that we're talking about right now, that's what they, I'm sure that's what in the military, that's what we were probably eating yeah the same thing, they just rig it up yeah, they would do the the powdered or liquid egg mixture for the uh mermykes I remember that yeah, you got it. You know you got a good memory, but I'm sure if your mama was listening, and uh, what's the name? Uh, what's the bus driver?
Speaker 2:he's passed on mr jeff mr jeff but, what they call it city pimp, city pimp. You put all that business out there with a short.
Speaker 1:It wasn't for handicapped kids, but it was a short bus it was short you was wait a minute you was on it I used to ride it. This was that start.
Speaker 1:You was on that bus, you put out your business too, city pimp would whip that bus oh no and then he'll blow choo-choo and then he'll put two fingers out the window like what's up what's up and then just keep driving, keep going. He had a head tilted to the side. You couldn't, you couldn't mess with city pimp he was the best bus driver and he would go over those speed bumps in those apartment neighborhoods like it wasn't nothing city pimp city pimp. Rest in peace, mr jeff rest in peace.
Speaker 3:This city pimp. Okay, because he sure could just put out of your business out there you may get your family in trouble, but because he sure could just put out of your business. Out there may get your family in trouble, but okay, okay. So now you brought it up and, however it is, and um, that's a real hot topic. That's a real hot topic. So how about this then? So what do you think are some disadvantages of the snap program right now, since you brought it up? What do you think some of the disadvantages, disadvantages.
Speaker 1:I may have to do some research on that, but I know what some advantage I mean. If, listen, if y'all have some stamps no, wait a minute. How about you, girl? I know this is illegal, but I feel let me just tell you before we get into the advantages and disadvantages and all the factual stuff, I think I'm a little bit jealous of cart, has a cart of eggs, some milk, some bread, maybe a little bag of grapes and some chicken thighs or chicken breasts, and I see somebody else with two carts.
Speaker 3:Not one, but two, two carts. They got all the kids pushing one, all the snacks and they got all the kids.
Speaker 1:I'm talking about all the snacks you see chips, ice cream, frozen pizza.
Speaker 3:Now now, did you just stereotype, did you just?
Speaker 1:maybe I did you just stereotyped, you know maybe I did. But if I see somebody with two carts around the first of the month, maybe even the middle of the month, with a whole bunch of kids and they have a whole bunch of processed foods, I I feel a little jealous. I feel a little envious and I want to partake well, I'm proud of you.
Speaker 3:Know what could? You very honest and you said that you feel just enough, but I can't admit to that. You've been that day who was in a grocery store and I said I bet she got EBT yeah, you did, and I actually went on tour.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and what did you say?
Speaker 3:I said, hey, uh, you know where I can get some EBT from, and what she said now listen, I, you put all your business out there, but you know what she said. Yeah, you know, and um, you know, but I did stereotype, you know, however it is, but you know, um, you know I think it is beneficial, like the advantages. You know there's advantages to that, you know that it's helpful for something that really that really needed, that really you know it.
Speaker 3:It is a real factor and is needed, and I think it's not meant to be forever. Oh, you don't know, so you can't have barbecues and crab legs and lobster tails forever? No, because guess who's paying for that? You think that you know. You think that money just magically appearing somewhere? Yeah, somebody's paying it yeah me and you, yeah, you know, and everybody else.
Speaker 1:So so should we get some of those stamps because we're paying for it or what I'll put?
Speaker 3:it out there right now. We should get some, you know um, but so I do believe that the the purpose of ebt um was meant to be good, and but I think it was a temporary solution okay, but how come if it's a temporary solution, like?
Speaker 1:I don't know how this works? I, my mom, didn't have this as a resource and I never had this as a resource. So how do you, how does one apply? Do you know what the criteria is and how do you get? How can you, some people, remain on uh ebt for so long?
Speaker 3:well, I know, I'm sure it's a qualification, though like, um, this is many years ago, uh. However, I was getting like about 68 or something like that you got some stamps. I got some stamps, but I had to let them stand build up before I even went to the store oh yeah yeah but, uh, definitely, you know there's a criteria that you have to meet, you know, depending on the household size and um how much that they're that you make and all that, those good factors each state has their own different thresholds of.
Speaker 1:They have their own threshold. Yeah, you know.
Speaker 3:And then, um, that the more kids that you get, you know, the more monies you make, you know I get it, you know. But, um, it should be temporary. It should be for long, extended periods of time. But make no mistake about it, though I know that you know there are some families that that need it. I get it. You know what I'm saying and I understand you know I'm not knocking that point, but I'm really focused on, like, the ones that abuse the system now, what do you mean by abuse the system?
Speaker 1:like? What's that?
Speaker 3:like abuse the system like maybe they falsify documents or, however, or maybe they're purposely not finding jobs or staying at a certain um tax bracket, you know.
Speaker 1:So you know they, they can always be below that threshold um so you think it's more beneficial for someone to falsify documents or lie about what they make so that they can just get a couple of hundred dollars worth of stamps each month? Do you think that's worth it for some people?
Speaker 3:I, I guess. So I guess it is worth it. No, but, but the sad part about that is is that you know, like, I guess it's worth it for some, but the sad part about it is is that it's not like, um, a lot of people that I see and a lot of people that I you know, they're buying like four or five bags of chips. You know, big family bags. What's wrong with chips? There's nothing wrong with it, you know. But, um, you know this, you know it's like a circle. You know, like, this is the circle of life. Right here, like you're gonna, I'm gonna give you all this food here or money to purchase food, but yet we're not giving classes to actually educate people on.
Speaker 3:Okay, instead of getting this, this fat right stuff here, let's get something lean here and on, eat healthy, as we know it costs to eat healthy it does it's not cheap, but I mean, if you're getting like I know this one person was getting maybe like fifteen hundred dollars a month like was she buying stuff or was she selling them?
Speaker 1:stamps listen, listen I mean we all up in our business, let's just get up and we all in our business and all.
Speaker 3:However it is now, I would say that you know all I would say is did you buy some stamps? All I would say is she wasn't spending fifteen hundred dollars a month, ok, but you know, you know you get in stuff and then it's unhealthy. And then you get unhealthy food, and then you have unhealthy people, then you have unhealthy children.
Speaker 1:So if I have fifteen hundred dollars worth of stamps, that's my business.
Speaker 2:It's your business, true.
Speaker 1:And if I want to buy noodles and frozen pizza to feed my six kids every night, because I just don't feel like cooking. Okay, whether I work or not, that's your choice that's your choice why are you making it seem as if my food choices should be regulated?
Speaker 3:oh, it should be regulated, you know how. So because, because because, remember, think about this if you're buying unhealthy food, okay, ultimately you know what I'm saying you're going to have an unhealthy heart, you're going to have high blood pressure, you're going to have diabetes, you're going to have all these things, and it's like one hand shakes the other, you know so you feel as if it's a setup. That's what I feel like.
Speaker 1:It's a setup you feel as if for women, let's say for women who qualify for wick, women, infant and wick is regulated is regulated I remember. I remember I got WIC. I lived in Maryland and I qualified for WIC. I got six dollars in coupons for fruits and vegetables. And then you would have to go to a WIC approved store.
Speaker 3:Exactly I remember that. And it was pretty cool.
Speaker 1:Like, and I felt like, oh, it's not as embarrassing, and you know, I only had WIC, I didn't have a food stamp card or anything like that, but I did like the fact that you can go to the WIC store and it wasn't as confusing. Everything that you needed, like your cereals, your, your eggs, your milk, your bread, your whole wheat bread, your, your eggs, your milk, your bread, your whole wheat bread, and I would have to try to pluck some of the grapes out of the bag. So it could, it could, it could be six dollars or less, because you know I was, you know grapes are expensive, but I think that to qualify, it does, it does. Uh, let me go back wick, you have to take a class and they tell you, you know what you can get, what you can't get, how much you can get, how much you can't. Now, I didn't need all that milk because I'm not a milk drinker. I did um, and then I I will say so I gave some away did.
Speaker 3:Did you sell it? No, I mean no, not, not.
Speaker 1:There was really nothing to sell like milk half two percent milk and beans. I gave that away because I didn't really eat beans like that for the protein. I guess that was part of the program and I didn't drink a lot of milk.
Speaker 1:But somebody thought that out, though, and I think it's a great idea because you know it's encouraging moms, pregnant moms, to eat healthier, to build their protein, you know, to build their calcium, so that the fetus can be strong, and then also it produces a hopefully a stronger child, and then I think the child stays on the program until they're five. Ok depending on what state they are, but I think most states allow a child to stay on WIC until they're five, but I do know some people who, once the baby turns four, oops, I'm pregnant again. Let me get these gallons of milk and put them in
Speaker 1:the freezer? I don't know.
Speaker 3:Say it's not so.
Speaker 1:I think there's always a loophole in every system and program, and I do, I kind of agree. I think that if WIC is regulated, it seems to be successful for however long it's been in practice. I do think at some point we're going to this country is going to end up regulating EBT because it is funded. It is paid by tax dollars.
Speaker 3:Okay.
Speaker 1:And if somebody is giving you something for free and you are accepting this for free? Then, it kind of goes along with.
Speaker 1:You accept the regulations that come along with it Just as the qualifications that come along with it, whether they may be true or not, or whatever a person did to qualify, whether the information was falsified or not, they went. That person went along with those particular guidelines so that they could qualify. So in hindsight, I think it's fair to say that. You know, if I agree to take these free benefits, then I must agree to abide by these rules and regulations related to this free food that I'm getting for myself and my family.
Speaker 3:OK, so are you. So we make sure, make sure this is clear. You saying that you agree that EBT should be regulated, is that?
Speaker 1:what you're saying Overall.
Speaker 1:yes, the hood side of of me, it's not their business, but overall yes, yes, yes, it should be and you know like I I mean the hood side of me say yeah, you know like appreciate a nice steak and you know people bringing stuff to the cookout and you know name brand sodas and a nice ribeye, but but I do think that the tax for people who pay taxes and you know we are taxed highly and I feel like if I can't afford to take steaks to a cookout and I'm paying you know Steaks, you taking steaks to the cookout?
Speaker 2:Yeah, oh, wow.
Speaker 3:You taking steaks.
Speaker 1:I want to be able to afford those things. You know, and it's kind of almost unfair for those people who get benefits where they can have, you know, crab legs and shrimp and steak for a cookout or you know a Monday night, and you know the regular average Joe can't afford to do that. So I mean we have to level the playing field if you're getting something for free or you're qualifying for something.
Speaker 2:I agree.
Speaker 3:I mean I agree, Not saying take the benefit away.
Speaker 1:I'm not saying that.
Speaker 3:No, we're not saying that.
Speaker 1:But I do think you know, should you be able to purchase.
Speaker 3:It should be regulated. Processed and well, and there's a thin line between a lot of things are processed, you know, but things are as simple as you know, just being regulated.
Speaker 1:You can still buy it, but it has to be regulated yeah, and if it's something that falls outside of that regulation criteria, that's something you would pay for come out your pocket, yeah but yeah, guess what a lot of people ain't gonna be buying it, then no, because they have to make that decision like the rest of us. You know like hey, do I need these eggs over these double stuffed Oreos?
Speaker 3:Right Now I think you can still get the Oreos and all that stuff there. You know I'm not, you know I don't agree with just kind of cutting it off, like you said. But it should be the system. Be like listen, you already got three packs, like you should be the system.
Speaker 1:Be like listen, you already got three packs. Like you got to put this four from back.
Speaker 3:So the registrar just starts screaming like yeah, like wick like wick will tell you, like if it's the wrong, if it's the wrong one or the wrong size, because people I would hate people that having wick, sometimes I would hate being behind somebody.
Speaker 1:Oh man, and then you know they got the wrong one. They like wait a minute, they gotta run back girl, that's not the white, the uh, the right wheat bread, that's like that's not it.
Speaker 3:I'm like hell, I'll buy the cheese.
Speaker 1:Come on, I gotta go girl, you know you can't get that, that type of bread but then they put wick stickers on them so that way you can identify. Yeah, what you qualify for?
Speaker 3:yeah, but see somebody up high was thinking if we regulate wick for the benefit of the child and the mother, then also EBT, because should be regulated? Because I've seen some kids that's like five, six years old and they weigh in like 60, 70 pounds. There's no way they yeah, there's no way that you're. You know, like you know now it could be some genetics stuff going on, however, but no, it's them oreos and them chips.
Speaker 1:Maybe they're just big balls.
Speaker 3:No, no, no, no, no that's you know, that's, you know just eating unhealthy and all which ultimately is going to lead to like heart disease and all this other stuff which is going to open up the door to the medical field. The medical field, then the medicine. Then you're getting all this medicine. Then you're, before you're 20, 21 years old, you got, you know, type two diabetes. You know your blood pressure is sky high.
Speaker 1:You got the sugar.
Speaker 3:I mean like come on.
Speaker 1:So who do you think OK? So if we have come to a consensus that EBT should be regulated, who are the regulators? Who do you feel should?
Speaker 3:regulate it's you know what, and this is gonna hurt me this is gonna hurt me to say it no, but there has to be number one here in the United States. There has to be universal. Some things has to be universal. I can't universal, some things has to be universal. I can't spend and do what I want on ebt in florida but then somebody in michigan can, like you know it needs to be all around the table for for nutritional and health purposes.
Speaker 3:But when you really think about it, like in hindsight, it's like it I don't think a lot of states don't want to be regulated because that's going to cut out somebody's pocket for the health. You know the insurance companies is going to cut their pockets. You know, because you know they're not going to be able to. You know, like, give out high blood pressure medicine. They're not going to give you this here. You know you're not going to be able to do that there.
Speaker 3:You know I'm saying then you know that's going to fall suit with, like, the life insurance. You know all this stuff it's all around circling on it and it starts with health, a person's health and it. You know, like I really feel like somebody or a team of people up high thought about this and like you know what if we give people something of abundance, although the majority of people may use it for what is? What is, what is the purpose before? But there's going to be a large mass of people that's not going to use it for the right purpose or abuse it, and then it's almost like you're committing suicide, you know, with food.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean food is, it's a comfort substance, right?
Speaker 3:But it comes with a price, it comes with a receive.
Speaker 1:SNAP TBT 67.8.
Speaker 1:And for children for the child nutrition program, 17.1. Wic is only 4%. So, again, I think WIC is regulated by your state. So if you have a state that is probably a little below the threshold as far as funding, then you are more likely to receive, you know, more benefits. If you are part of a state that has a higher threshold that you have to meet in order to qualify for things, you're less likely to get it. So let me say this Okay, I do believe that this benefit should be regulated, but federally, because it's a federal program. However, I think for the states, however, I think for the states, I think it should be the same ruling across the board, and I think something like this could be charged to and I am biased, shout out to my health promotion and community health majors and minors. I do believe that this is a role for them. I remember when our former First Lady, michelle Obama, she led the charge on having healthy snacks in the vending machines at school.
Speaker 1:Remember that and some people were a little huffy puffy about it, but I think that's a good choice. I think you know, if kids are going to spend three, four dollars for a pack of chips, they should have the option to get. You know, spend three, four dollars on something else. You know that may be a healthier alternative. I think that the school lunches Garbage, Remember I had school lunch growing up. I mean I had the little, the free, free lunch.
Speaker 3:So, unhealthy.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, but had the little, the free, free lunch so unhealthy, yeah, I mean, but let me tell you. So we had school lunch, and then we had our school had Pizza Hut.
Speaker 2:Wow.
Speaker 1:That would come in Now. This wasn't part of your free lunch option. You would have to pay $2.50 for a slice, so you would have like a meat or a cheese slice, and then they had milkshakes this is every day this was every day that was an option if you didn't want your free lunch, you can get this and pay your 250 for your slice as an option every day.
Speaker 3:I guarantee you some kids up there and they got that every day every day they probably got diabetes right now, probably.
Speaker 1:But that was an option. You had chocolate or vanilla shakes and they was good and thick. And then you had Good and thick, and it wasn't just like remember for free lunch. I think they had pizza on Friday with the tater tots. They either had the. French bread pizza. I didn't like that. You go back.
Speaker 1:But that triangle pizza with the little pepperoni bits on it, and you had a little side of corn and a little side of tater tots. I didn't like the tater tots, but that that triangle slice of pizza. Whoever came up with that, kudos to you. I even think that somebody said that they still sell that pizza. You can buy it if you know where that pizza is. Holla at your girl. I would eat that pizza to this day because it was fire wow, yes, wow, you went way back.
Speaker 2:Like we need to find that triangle slice.
Speaker 1:Not the french bread, not that thick one, the triangle slice with the little tiny bits of pepperoni I'm gonna pull it up on my phone.
Speaker 1:But back to my point you know, going back to my point as far as regulation, I think our health promotion community health team could run a list, and this would. This would include people with um special dietary needs, and this is why this group of people are so important. Um, in this area, um, you have your vegetarians, your vegans, you have your pescatarians, you have all your groups right of people that eat certain things or don't eat certain things. You have this massive list of things that you can choose from as far as fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, rice, tuna, things of that nature, and just like the WIC program, but this is a specialized uh formulary list.
Speaker 1:Just like medication, you have a formulary okay, and you have different tiers of what you can choose to purchase with your EBT benefits. And then you know, and there may be, you know, there may be a few things on on the list, like maybe popcorn, microwave popcorn that you know is considered a snack, but you know it's processed it can be purchased but no, that could be part of the list you know, you may have a little sprinkle of snacks here and there every now and then.
Speaker 1:You may be able to get 12 unhealthy snacks per year if you're on the program. I don't know a year maybe, yeah, one a month that you, that that comes with the benefit. And then if there's something else, if you want, you know cheez-its and hot fries and talkies and all that stuff, then that would be something that you would purchase if you choose.
Speaker 3:But that's too much like right what you're saying right now but I'm, I'm just thinking that that's.
Speaker 2:I mean you can't quit cold turkey.
Speaker 1:But I think at some point we're gonna end up putting a cap, because if lucy gets stamps and lucy's kids get stamps, and lucy's kids are obese and lucy's kids are on stamps, so it's kind of like a domino effect almost it's like you know everybody's telling your friend oh girl, go get these stamps.
Speaker 1:you know you can get the stamps and it's like the, the secret, you know, to getting yourself pulling yourself up by the bootstraps when you know your job and I this. This is a support benefit, it's not to to carry you through life. And so part of me agrees, a lot of me agrees with that. But there's a small side that says I do want some of those stamps. I'm not going to lie, but overall, regulate yes.
Speaker 1:Temporary, so EBT should be temporary, yeah, and it depends on that individual too, If they're disabled or you know they have right you know certain things that they qualify for medically? Yes, but if you are well able body and I just don't want to work, but I still want them. Stamps, yeah regulate yeah regulate yeah, don't wait, regulate. I don't know you say what don't don't wait regulate.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I like the way you said don't wait regulate but you know what?
Speaker 3:so another thing on that little survey that you was talking about in the first school year so I was surprised in a couple states but these are the states that they're saying that were receiving SNAP benefits. Like I didn't know it was that big, Like in Oregon.
Speaker 2:Oh.
Speaker 3:Places like New.
Speaker 1:Mexico. Yeah Well, new Mexico, I know, is a poor state.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and I knew that when Mexico like Oklahoma.
Speaker 1:Oklahoma is considered a poor state.
Speaker 3:Louisiana.
Speaker 1:Louisiana is considered a poor state. Louisiana Louisiana is considered a poor state Illinois what if we went to Louisiana and somebody has some stamps? You know that food is good.
Speaker 3:Now we may have to we try to be serious here, okay, but we listen, listen, now listen.
Speaker 1:I don't know about Oregon, new Mexico, but Louisiana. You take me to Louisiana and give me some gumbo or some etouffee. I may need to. Okay, health promoters, we may need to put a sidebar, put a star by Louisiana. What other states we got? Listen?
Speaker 2:as I was saying because you didn't take me so far.
Speaker 1:I got hungry, I'm sorry.
Speaker 3:How about another state was Illinois.
Speaker 1:Illinois.
Speaker 3:West Virginia, west Virginia. And I'm surprised about this one.
Speaker 1:it said dc well, dc is extremely expensive. There's a lot of homeless and there's a lot of um underprivileged people in district of columbia that is true.
Speaker 3:That's I was. I was surprised with dc and I was also surprised with Louisiana.
Speaker 2:Louisiana is a poor state.
Speaker 3:I don't know too much about Oregon or New Mexico. I kind of figured New Mexico Illinois.
Speaker 1:We can't put an S on Illinois.
Speaker 3:Yeah, you're right, illinois, walmart, Walmart.
Speaker 1:I will put an S on it. Ebt. Listen, I will put an S on it. Ebt's. I'm going to put an S.
Speaker 3:Listen, I'm going to put an S on everything Walmart's and all that stuff that should be our next topic.
Speaker 1:People can call in and tell us what they put S's on.
Speaker 3:COVID's, but you always try to correct somebody. I'm just saying Listen, you know exactly what I'm saying. I want you to say it right when we go on to chicken.
Speaker 1:I may say chicken filet sometimes. Who says chicken filet?
Speaker 3:No one, because I be hungry and I be looking at the place, it's chick filet. You're right, it's chick filet. That's when I ain't hungry, but when I'm hungry it's chicken filet.
Speaker 2:I know I ain't the only one out there.
Speaker 3:Y'all send us an email if somebody else out there saying chicken filet and you just hungry and you know they don't sell nothing but chicken.
Speaker 1:So do you think that you should be able to use your EBT at chick filet? What you think about that?
Speaker 3:chicken chick filet everyday can be unhealthy. What you think about that? Let's see again. They see, then we get, because chicken chick see chick filet every day can be unhealthy and do you think, if it were an option, people would do it every day? Yes, yes, I would do it, they would eat, and it wouldn't be. Even though they got grilled, people will be eating now let's talk about that girl.
Speaker 1:Oh, oh that grill just.
Speaker 3:you know the grill just.
Speaker 1:It needs work. It smells like steamed.
Speaker 3:Canned meat.
Speaker 1:I don't know what it is Canned meat. Can we Chick-fil-A, can we work on? Did you just say chicken? No, I never said chicken.
Speaker 3:I promise you, I heard chicken no play it back.
Speaker 1:No one says chicken filet, but you.
Speaker 3:I heard chicken chicken filet.
Speaker 1:Can you please um chick, I promise you. I heard you say chicken. Nobody says chicken filet, but you I heard chicken no, you want to hear chicken. Um, okay, so if fast food restaurants no, that'd be, do not accept ebt. That's a form of regulation or or what they're allowing or not allowing.
Speaker 3:So um, but people getting around that though, too. Don't let me get started with that what where if they can't? I believe that you can only buy raw food. So what do you mean like with ebt? So what places might be doing it? They say you buy it raw, but then they cook it for you, you know. So you buy the raw food. I guess they maybe charge you a little bit more with the EBT.
Speaker 1:I can't tell you what they do so. Help me understand what do you mean by the wrong? You cook it so what EBT?
Speaker 3:okay can't buy cook food, but you can buy raw food, so maybe if you they're selling like raw chicken so I mean like like raw chicken like chicken wings but yet they're probably they're spiking it up a little bit more and then you buy the chicken raw with the EBT, because you can. If the chicken was, uh, cooked, you couldn't buy it with ebt. So the eight wings, you're buying them raw and then they're upcharging to this frying so you're not talking about like the deli you're not talking about like if you go to the deli there are places.
Speaker 1:There are places what places tell us? There are places where you can buy.
Speaker 3:I can't I can't okay I'm not gonna put that out there, but there are places.
Speaker 1:You are a place. Are you a place? That's man people been doing that for like ages okay, so these convenience stores that say that have a sign that says we accept ebt, so what are you buying? Chips. What can you buy there?
Speaker 3:No, no, no. So listen. So the stuff is raw. That's the kicker. You can buy raw food with EBT. You go to a grocery store and the food is raw, yeah. So basically, instead of you getting a 12-piece wing already cooked, you're buying them raw. And then they're saying they're charging it like upcharging it, and then they're saying they're charging it like up charging it, and then they're going to fry it there.
Speaker 1:So now the food.
Speaker 3:Now the food is not, so you got some party wings right okay I never heard of party wings a 20 pack of party wings what city listen? And then they do a lot of food like that like uh seafood and all that stuff. You buy it raw and then either they cook it or whatever you trade right, so it makes it's not like you're buying it cooked I never knew that yes so you can buy listen, you're trying to. You're trying to.
Speaker 1:I'm not telling you what you need packaged foods that's cooked but that's considered grocery. But right you go into a store and um buy a pack, six pack of hamburger patties and somebody could take those in exchange for up charge and they give you six hamburgers, right oh?
Speaker 3:let's cook it. Did that mean it's?
Speaker 1:already cooked. So do you think people just don't? Okay, so if people are getting the ebt, they're getting these groceries right. Do you think that they just don't want to cook?
Speaker 3:listen, I I don't even have.
Speaker 1:I mean, nobody wants to cook every day, but do you think that people are really taking this food? It's free, like the food is free but if you have the option of getting whatever food because it's not regulated, louisiana shout out to y'all shrimp steak, chicken, crab legs, pork chops, all of this stuff you tell you. You're telling me that I, you would rather have somebody else give you some fried chicken and some fried rice as opposed to cooking some baked macaroni and cheese and some.
Speaker 3:I know people that do that.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 3:I know people that do that, but some of these people are here making enough. They can get the shrimp, they can get the steak, they can get the steak, they can get the crab legs and go up to the stove and get the raw food and have it cooked too.
Speaker 1:Now, if I was in Florida or Louisiana, I would say that I would do that. Let me find out that there's a Jamaican restaurant, jamaican store. Now there are some Jamaican restaurants, or I will say, inside of the grocery store don't tell, don't.
Speaker 3:We don't want to know the places, the name of the store or nothing, just keep it to yourself when I tell you that food is so good, the oxtails and they pile your plate up.
Speaker 1:I, but I don't know if they take ebt, but I know that this restaurant is inside of the grocery store where people use EBT. Listen, when there's a will.
Speaker 3:There's a way. Only thing you need to do is have money on that EBT card Shout out to them oxtails with rice and beans yeah. Now you know you got a whole basket full of oxtails and all you know that's EBT, yeah, and if you got a whole cart full of ice cream and all this stuff, here right, Shout out to the grape nut ice, and you know that's. Ebt If you see four, five baskets and every kid got a basket, even they got the little small basket.
Speaker 1:You know I'm pushing around. They got they own every key guy.
Speaker 3:They own state you know that. Ebt. You already know this, so that's not play these games, you know like you know, it's ebt so there's no shame in the ebt game it ain't no shame in the ebt game when you when they have to close the the whole line down because you got like four or five baskets now you know it's like can you use coupons with ebt or no?
Speaker 1:there's no need because you're not.
Speaker 3:Yeah it's free okay only thing, you only thing you're gonna kick back is like if paper product.
Speaker 1:Yeah, something that's not covered under there.
Speaker 3:So it is regulated like you can't buy certain things, but the food is not really talking about regulating.
Speaker 1:Well, texas is always yeah, that's like a whole nother but texas is talking about regulating um yeah, I think soda, chips and candy yeah that texas law uh 379, I believe yeah, they want to um regulate those uh highly processed items. So you know, we like, we like a good uh ginger ale when we ain't feeling too good.
Speaker 1:And lay down right, so we can get our crackers with the ABT, but then we can't get the ginger ale yeah, you gotta choose one. You gotta come out your pocket, yeah so I like ginger, ale I would pay for ginger ale.
Speaker 3:You know you have to come out your pocket to get that and all that, but I mean. So, all in all, like I guess the overall consensus of this is that ebt could I mean? I'm just, I'm just saying for me this is a summary for me I feel like ebt is something that should be regulated. It's not long term, you know, and definitely it would be on the case-by-case basis. But if you are an able-bodied and you can get out and you can work, whether that's from home or out there in the streets, in the streets, however it may be, you know then it should be minimized to however much time needed. And you know, it's just something that can't just keep going on and on and on, and the foods that you get should be regulated. They should be regulated because now little ronnie, again, he's five, six years old and he's got like, and he's 100 pounds.
Speaker 1:You got your sister, get them crab legs and take little ronnie can't get nothing but a treadmill, okay that's the same little hard. By a treadmill with it, with the stamps, you can't, but I guess you.
Speaker 3:I guess somebody can sell the stamps and you can get one. Okay, they can give you, like, give you two for one, you know, like you give me.
Speaker 1:It's not two people. Don't do two for one anymore. You know, know what I'll tell you what?
Speaker 3:and they crazy you got these stamps for free? Yeah, and if you're gonna charge me anything more than two for one, then we got problems, okay you got stamps and you don't like please two for one you get it for free, so everything so the tariffs on those stamps and people selling them, so so tell me. So what's the price now? Because people just did. You know that they ain't even. They ain't even offering no stamps.
Speaker 1:Now I think it's like 60, 40, sometimes 70 30 yes I mean it plays 60, 40, nothing.
Speaker 3:It should be 70, 30. My way, I'll give you 30 and then 70, but I mean, however, I mean people, I mean, granted, I'm not knocking the hustle, no, however it is, but I am saying that I'm seeing too many, especially of us, us black folks, you know, like and uh, you know, we are suffering from a lot of health issues, like at a young age I agree we're suffering from like chronic diseases and stuff that could have been prevented.
Speaker 3:You know, when you're young and all you know and and it's sad to say, well, you know you got the whole family kind of like obese because it's kind of hard to you know to eat healthy. When you got you know, when in the morning you know you eating fries or pizza, you know, and after a while that stuff is gonna, it's gonna, it's gonna add up yeah, you know, what I'm saying and it's cheap.
Speaker 3:You know, I'm saying, like we said before early in the show, that eating healthy costs a lot more expensive yeah, right, so you, you notice like all the, all the unhealthy stuff is always at top, like we when, uh, I think so like yeah eye level, the stuff that's not good for you and all the stuff that's that's good for you or is better for you. You almost need to go to a whole food store but some of that stuff isn't good.
Speaker 1:So for what I learned in economics, the perimeter of the grocery store is all you need when you walk in. You have your produce, your fruits and vegetables. You keep walking. You have your milk and eggs. You have your meat. That's along the perimeter, if you notice, almost every grocery store has that same thing. Yeah, the stuff that's in the middle is what causes. That's what we like the stuff in the middle.
Speaker 3:So I shouldn't even be in the middle of the grocery store. I'm going to be on the perimeter.
Speaker 1:That's the thing.
Speaker 3:That's the setup.
Speaker 1:That's the setup. If you look at your grocery store, the perimeter is the necessity of your diet. Now you may take an aisle and get you some grains, some beans, but the perimeter your fresh fruits and vegetables, your meats, your eggs, your cheese, your milk, all on the perimeter.
Speaker 3:And before we kind of wrap this up, why do you think that is so then? Because I just thought about what you said. That's true. Why do you think that's so?
Speaker 1:I mean, everything is a marketing concept. You know, food, especially for America, is huge. It's a big thing, right. Other countries it may not be as popular as, but we have, if you think about it, each aisle. You have so many options, so many snacks, so many cookies. So, oh, glitter coming out, the snacks, cream, glitter and cream like all kinds. But you have so many options, so many colors. The cereal aisle Attractive.
Speaker 1:Yes, and children, they market commercials. You know, we knew all the commercials growing up. Sunday, saturday yeah, Tricks are for who? Kids, yeah, tony the Tiger, you're going gonna be great. You know, we know all of these slogans and things that market certain cereals, you know, and or certain snacks, or things like that, and it's a marketing concept because it draws people in I guess you're right.
Speaker 3:Yeah, because it drove me. You know, I used to eat frosted flakes and all yeah sugar smacks or sugar.
Speaker 1:What is? It sugar and sugar bear and you know. Then they have the generic cereals that's coming in to try to get you to the sugar bear and then the bear sugar wings fruity rings, not fruit loops. But you know what?
Speaker 3:we laugh about that. You know how it is. But guess what?
Speaker 1:a lot of that stuff is made by the same company, that's true, that's true, and the same product comes in a bag, one comes in a box and kids want the one that's in the box with tony the tiger with less cereal in it.
Speaker 3:Yeah, tony the tiger, that big old bag for like ten dollars over here. The same thing is that one for like three yeah but hey, it's all marketing and and it does well. It has done well for years it has and it's still you're right oreos, even oreos, come in, uh.
Speaker 1:Red velvet, lemon, triple cream, double cream, quadruple triple cream, sweet potato now I'm just joking but, you know these, these snacks are are being creative and um and how they market you know and I guess it's working okay.
Speaker 3:We just, we just had a uh incident not long ago. You're saying like so our daughter, uh, was eating some cereal, right and you're saying that, uh, she saw. She saw you put, we're gonna just use, you know, the fruity pebbles. And she's seeing you put the fruity pebbles in the little, uh cereal thing and then all of a sudden they don't taste good right but now what you say, you do.
Speaker 3:You said. You just said you're gonna put the same ones back in there, whatever it's trying to, yeah so I put the cereal because I like my pantry to be aesthetically pleasing.
Speaker 1:So I have these clear containers and I pour the cereal, just like at the hotel, when you're getting up for that continental breakfast. You have the cereal it's generic um, they pour it in the beautiful containers and you turn that churn and that cereal just dumps out into that bowl and you're so happy oh my gosh Makes you feel like a king or queen, right yeah.
Speaker 1:Those fruity rings I keep saying wings, those fruity rings are still the same as the Froot Loops. So she told me she saw me pour. And then she said, Mommy, I don't like those. Can you get me some honey, bunches of O's or cereal that have the bird on the front, the toucan, not this one.
Speaker 1:My feelings were a little hurt. But you know, I said okay, that's all I could do. I said okay and I told my friend and we laughed about it and I made sure that I got that cereal in that container when she wasn't looking.
Speaker 3:That's all I gotta say. And she said it was the best thing she ever had, ever had, so it's psychological it's in your mind it's just because it's made by the same most people most of the time most of it
Speaker 1:but. But the taste and flavors is very close and some things you can get away with, some, some some you can't.
Speaker 3:Yeah, some of it is terribly. Yeah some some tastes like generic yeah, like it's missing or it's sugar-free or something like that, yeah some things are really close and some things are just oh yeah, listen, what's your, what's your final take then on.
Speaker 1:OK, I am 80 20. I'm 80 percent regulation.
Speaker 3:Sorry With the exceptions of the following states no, I'm just joking, I'm just joking.
Speaker 1:Louisiana, florida. But I do think it needs to be regulated. But I do think that there is a way to regulate with exceptions, is a way to regulate with exceptions and it can be a broad range of food options. But I do feel as if those highly processed foods should be limited, I won't say completely terminated, but limited. And a good thing comes to an end. At some point all good things come to an end.
Speaker 1:I mean we've had this program for years and people are living and having grandchildren and generations of stamps. Now, come on now. Now, y'all, come on now.
Speaker 3:Let it go.
Speaker 1:Grandma, great grandma, everybody can't be on stamps now.
Speaker 3:Let it go.
Speaker 1:Let some other people have a chance Me call me. Let some other people have some stamps, you know, and then you get out and you work, and then you understand, like okay, now if again, if there is there's always exceptions if someone is not able to you know to work these are for able bodies yes, physically, mentally challenged people, handicapped people, people who are you know, there's a long list, there's a, and I don't.
Speaker 1:I can't even touch on those, but if you are able to take your butt to work and stop thinking, you supposed to get these stamps and stop selling these stamps for school clothes and getting your hair done and all that. But yeah, 80, 20. But, yeah, 80-20 regulated 20, louisiana.
Speaker 3:Florida. I'll let me yeah, okay, okay, okay. Well, there we go Now. We said it Okay, and we said it. And that's how.
Speaker 1:If y'all want to fight.
Speaker 3:we can shake the table, it's okay, it's okay, I pay tax dollars and I should have a say.
Speaker 1:So Now I'm not saying completely cut you off and cut your head off and slap your mama. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying there should be a form of regulation and you know, at some point it has to come to an end or we have to put a cap. Now I'm not saying the federal government should make the list of what you can eat off of your EBT.
Speaker 3:We ain't got that far yet.
Speaker 1:I don't agree with that. Like you're not going to tell me need to to eat a basmati rice when I like jasmine rice. Like I don't feel, like you know, but then again, then that would mean I would have to buy my own rice yeah, to buy your own rice, and then, if you have to buy it for a lot of people guess what?
Speaker 1:they wouldn't buy it exactly, and I think a lot of times and that's a good point, and you know we'll come to a close a lot of times people get these specialized foods because they can afford to do it with their ebt if they had to pay for it. Then there's a a option to say no, or you put some thought behind it. Do I need this six dollar pack of cookies?
Speaker 1:and you eat a whole sleeve in a day, like man yeah, I'm putting these, I'm good, I'm putting stuff oreo glitter confetti busting out the cream the cream when you? You know all that, like you, you'll think about that before you decide to pay six dollars for a pack of cookies and then we'll have better health.
Speaker 3:Then we have, you know, less obesity, we'll have all this stuff, but then that'll be too much, like right? Yeah yeah, yeah. So all right, folks, I think, there you have it. I mean again, we all in your biz, all in your business, but Thanksgiving, if y'all still got them stamps you know, send us an invite.
Speaker 1:We'll come over and shoot, I'll wash dishes, I'll help. You know, holler, at us, tell us what you think. Should the stamps be regulated? Should we be? Should we mind our business, because we all up in y'all business? Should we stay out of your business or what do you think? Do you think it should be more things offered with food stamps, less things offered? What do you think, if any, um parameters should be set on ebt and we're out.
Speaker 3:Yeah, just remember, we all in your business.
Speaker 2:All in your biz. We so nosy. I thought you knew.