Costco to accept food stamps nationwide

[Kadie]

Costco to accept food stamps nationwide

43 mins ago

PORTLAND, Ore. – Costco says it will start accepting food stamps at its warehouse clubs nationwide after testing them at stores in New York.

It's a big about-face for a retailer that has catered to the bargain-hunting affluent — and a sign of the grim reality facing retailers and their customers. Food-stamp users recently hit a record 36 million.

Costco Wholesale Corp. began accepting food stamps at its New York stores this year under political pressure. The company doubted many would use them but saw a strong response and will accept them in at least half its stores nationwide by Thanksgiving.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091028/ap_on_bi_ge/us_costco_food_stamps_1

[Love Bug]

1. I"m glad to hear it but what about the membership fee?

I can see where that could be a barrier to those who use food stamps.

[SoCalDem]

8. $45 a year is not all that much, if you can save 10 times that by buying in bulk

Lots of people who get food stamps are not "flat broke" ...they have hit a rough patch and will get back on their feet....or someone in their household has lost a job and their income is suddenly low enough to qualify.

A few trips there would probably make up the cost..especially if you have a large family:)

[janx]

9. And you can go in with a friend and both pay $25.00.

;-)

[Yehonala]

11. Bulk Is Best

I went to Sam's Club and saw the prices and thought "why wasn't I doing this before?" All this meat, fruits, veggies, you can dine like royalty and only shop once or twice a month at maximum. Then buy perishables like milk in smaller quantities. And sauces. In time even when you are on your feet you'll still have the healthier shopping habits.

[GodlessBiker]

2. Cool, now if they would only accept VISA.

[lumberjack_jeff]

3. Excellent.

They offer good value on staples like rice, flour and chicken.

[Cassandra]

4. The political pressure in NY...

came from their situating their first Manhattan store in a new riverside mall at the edge of Spanish Harlem.

[eShirl]

5. but will they let people buy soda with food stamps?

or anything with sugar?
anything made by a corporation?
anything non-organic?
anything with gluten?
anything non-vegan?

[Sebastian Doyle]

7. Costco sells Mexican Coca-Cola

so they wouldn't have to use their food stamps for high fructose corn poison, at least.

[eShirl]

10. I keep hearing good things about Costco.

I hope they can move to my area at some point.

[alittlelark]

12. I was sooo happy to see that a few months ago!

A case of Mexican coke is now as standard as toilet paper in my cart!

[madrchsod]

6. smart move for costco--sam`s club does`t accept food stamps

[mdmc]

13. --

[bridgit]

14. Good idea!