Chairman Bob Goodlatte
House Committee
on Agriculture
Email
1301 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
HEB Grocery Store-Can We
Rewrite USDA Food Stamp Law Exhibit #5
I would tell you yes except I'm not in charge of anything so I sent you
question to Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2004 08:57:57 -0800 (PST)
From: "Chris Walters"
chrissaidthanks2002@yahoo.com
Subject: Question returned to your Committee
To: agriculture@mail.house.gov
Hello House Agriculture Committee:
A government entity has inadvertently addressed a question on food stamps policy issue to a private
citizen which has to be returned to your committee and is found on the internet as:
this url
I am not the appropriate party to address proposed changes in federal laws.
With Kindes Regards
Chris Walters
Brian Flood, Inspector General
Texas Health and Human Services
contactOIG@hhsc.state.tx.us
Office of Inspector General
PO Box 85200
Austin, Texas 78708-5200
512-424-6500
Policy Question
Answered By State of Texas
From: "Combs, David"
David.Combs@hhsc.state.tx.us
To: "'chrissaidthanks2002@yahoo.com
Subject: FW: FNS food stamp policy question
Mr. Walters:
Food meant to be eaten in the store, such as prepared sandwiches is not
eligible for purchase with food stamps. Below is a quote from our
policy staff.
"The purpose of the Food Stamp Program is to permit low-income
households to purchase a nutritionally adequate diet. The use of food stamps is
limited to any food or food product for human consumption. Seeds and plants for
use in home gardens to produce food can be purchased with food stamps.
Food stamps cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages, tobacco,
lunch counter items or foods to be eaten in the store,
vitamins, medicines, pet foods, or any non-food item. It is up to the retailer to ensure proper food purchases
as required by the retailer's contract with the United States Department
of Agriculture."
Report any violations of this policy to the USDA.
Thank you,David Combs
Health and Human Services Commission
Office of Inspector General
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Policy Question
Answered By USDA
Subject: FW: Food Stamp Policy Question
Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2004 08:29:06 -0400
From: "BRDHQ-WEB"
BRDHQ-WEB@fns.usda.gov
To: chrissaidthanks2002@yahoo.com
This is in response to your recent inquiry about the Food Stamp Program (FSP). You asked
about the eligibility of deli items for purchase with food stamp benefits. The Food Stamp Act of 1977,
as amended (the Act), provides that any food or food product for home consumption may be purchased with food stamp benefits. Seeds and plants for use in gardens to produce food for consumption by households are also eligible items. Since the FSP is intended to provide for improved levels of nutrition among low-income households, the Act does place some restrictions on the kinds of items that can be sold in authorized stores. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and hot food ready for immediate consumption cannot be sold. In addition, any food sold for on-premises consumption is not eligible for purchase with food stamp benefits. Nonfood items such as pet foods, soaps, paper products and household supplies, as well as grooming items and cosmetics, also are not eligible items. Thus, deli items that are not hot and are not intended to be eaten in the store would be eligible for purchase with food stamp benefits.
Foods that are not hot when presented at the point of sale, even if they are heated before they are
taken out of the store are also eligible for purchase with food stamp benefits.
Local Food and Nutrition Service field offices are responsible for the authorization and monitoring of
retail food stores participating in the FSP, and can provide assistance with any questions or problems
you may experience regarding the use of food stamp benefits at authorized stores. In the event that you
need to contact your local office regarding a participating store, they will contact the store if necessary
and your name will not be used in any action taken. You may contact your local office at the following address:
Kristy Montgomery, Officer in Charge
Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
300 East 8th Street, Room 964
Austin, Texas 78701
Telephone (512) 916-5688
We hope the information we have provided will be helpful to you.
Sincerely,
BRD HQ - Webmaster
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Congressman Bob Goodlatte is the Chairman of
the House Committee on Agriculture might appreciate who acknowledge our report to 107th US Congress as seen
below.
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