Tag Archives: snap

Pandemic Hunger Games: SNAP shenanigan states hire Security Guards, while citizens go hungry!

29 January 2023 (18:11-UTC-07 Tango 06) 09 Bahman 1401/07 Rajab 1444/08 Gui-Chou 4721/29 январь 2023 года

Here in Bannock County, Idaho, there has been a run on local food pantries.  I live in Chubbuck, and the local food pantry is located at the Gate City Christian Church (there are several websites listing it as in Pocatello, but it is actually in Chubbuck), and on 27JAN20232 they were swamped.  The food pantry was left with almost no food; no fresh produce, no dairy, almost no frozen meats, almost no bread/pasta.  Their U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) offerings were down to just cans of pumpkin puree and pasta sauce.  Interestingly, at the beginning of the month they changed their hours of operation, in expectation of more people which is exactly what they got.

I did some research to find out what was going on, and apparently there are two major problems taking place involving the USDA SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, originally known as Food Stamps): 1; many states are overwhelmed with SNAP applications, some states as much as four months behind, 2; the extra Pandemic SNAP funding is about to end in February/March (depending on the news source), and some states have already ended the Pandemic funding (like Idaho)!

For those of you who don’t know, each U.S. state handles the federal SNAP program differently, some states have very liberal programs while others are very tight fisted.

There doesn’t seem to be an explanation for the SNAP application backlog, but some states are having no problem spending tax dollars hiring security guards for their Social Services operations.  The fact that the extra Pandemic funding for SNAP is coming to an end indicates the federal government thinks the Pandemic is over.

Here are links to local news reports/videos (tip-o-the-iceberg) about the SNAP shenanigans taking place across the United States:

8 News Now: Thousands of people in sparsely populated Nevada losing SNAP assistance!

9 News: More than half a million Coloradans hit by SNAP cuts!

Anchorage Daily News: 9-hundred SNAP applications from October 2022 still to be counted, not known how many in November and December! Alaska spends tax dollars on security guards to protect Department of Health workers due to threats of violence!  Medicaid is the next domino to fall!

Alaska’s Division of Public Assistance director suddenly quits due to SNAP shenanigans!

Alaska Beacon: Four months long SNAP application backlog results in lawsuit, thousands going hungry!

Axios: SNAP benefits returning to pre-COVID amounts in February

Baltimore Banner: Mother tries to get back nearly $3,000 worth of SNAP benefits that were stolen from her!

Bloomberg: Scammers Rip Off SNAP Benefits

CBS Chicago: 2-million people in Illinois affected by SNAP cuts!

CBS News: Iowa representatives in the U.S. Congress want to ban meat, butter and flour from SNAP, even though nationwide there has been a 14% increase in people on SNAP since the Pandemic began!

Delaware Public Media: The 2018 Farm Bill is about to end, Congress is debating the 2023 Farm Bill, which will directly affect SNAP and non-profits who get federal funding for things like food pantries.

Forbes: SNAP Cuts Begin In March For Emergency Allotment Recipients, 48 states affected

Fox 8 News: Staggering cuts coming to Ohio’s SNAP

Fox News Milwaukee: Extra SNAP benefits that began due to COVID set to end next month in 32 states

Gothamist: New Yorkers sue city over delays to SNAP

Insider NJ: New Jersey sets $50 minimum SNAP limit per household!

KTOO: Alaska government administrators blame lack of social service workers on 2021 cyberattack, however, Alaska State Employees Association Local 52 says SNAP application backlog caused by massive state layoffs that took place before the cyber attack!

Prairie News: As of November 2022,  the USDA said 82% of U.S. citizens are eligible for SNAP; 74% are working poor, and 42% are elderly. In the state of Texas, 75% are eligible, and Texas comes second in the nation with the highest number of households using SNAP, with 1.1 million people. In the city of Amarillo, 9,115 people, or 12.1% of the population, receive food stamp benefits.

Record Courier: Food pantries to be swamped when Ohio ends Pandemic SNAP!

WSLS: Food producer donated 30-thousand pounds of meat to help Southwest Virginia food operations, due to SNAP cuts!

WDTN: Ohio food pantries prep for end to SNAP Pandemic funding.

Yahoo Finance: The following states already ended the Pandemic SNAP funding: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming.

Santa Fe New Mexican: COVID-19 emergency SNAP benefits to end in March

Hunger Games: BLM FAILED IDAHO IN FAVOR OF GERMAN PHARMA/AG GIANT!

U.S. Air Force owns your GPS! U.S. Army warns ‘We know where you are’!

18APR2018 /23:58 UTC-07 Tango 06  (30 Farvardin 1397/03 Sha’ban 1439/04 Bing-Chen 4716)

How many silly-vilians know that the current Global Positioning System is a military operation controlled by the U.S. Air Force?  Here’s the official USAF video explainer:

Official U.S. Army video (weak-ly done) warning about the dangers of using your silly-vilian so-called smart-phone GPS or Snap-chat:

It’s all part of the ever expanding military controlled Global Information Grid.

SATCOM upgrades to Wideband Enterprise Terminal, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, to further expand the Global Information Grid.

MAKING ZOMBIES: USAF SECRET SLEEP DEPRIVATION EXPERIMENT REVEALED!

“historic lack of patronage” Harvey kills Texas crops?: U.S. Food Crisis, August 2017

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of August, 2017: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.

Hurricane Harvey slamming Texas and Louisiana.  Texas getting record level rain/floods.  According to federal law produce grown on land hit by flooding cannot be sold for human consumption!  

The Texas Tribune:  Harvey’s winds and rain disrupt Texas agriculture

Arizona: In Scottsdale, Flo’s Chinese Asian Restaurants now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Local news media reported that ever since 2008 the restaurant chain has been shutting down eateries, now there’s only two left: “The revenue from our two remaining restaurants, though strong and healthy, could not alone support payments for a loan designed for three restaurants.”-Florence Chan, co-owner

Arkansas:  In Hardy, after only two years restaurant Cruisers shutdown due to the owners getting outta the restaurant business.

California: In Los Angeles, restaurant Church & State chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to labor law violation lawsuits.  Quest Nutrition issued shutdown WARNs for two Los Angeles operations, 524 jobs gone in October! Switzerland based Nestlé shutdown its Glendale op, 583 jobs gone!  Chili’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Thousand Oaks restaurant, 48 jobs gone in October.   Japan based Daiso issued a shutdown WARN for its Hayward grocery store, 98 jobs gone in October.  Dole Food eliminating 172 strawberry picking jobs as it shuts down its Oxnard ops, blaming massive debt and crashing sales!  In San Jose, after 13 years Lisa’s Tea Treasures shutdown, explaining on its website “Sadly, our lease has not been renewed.”  Glendale based DineEquity announced it will skyrocket shutdowns of its Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants; 135 Applebee’s and 25 IHOPS across the United States being shutdown as part of a plan to open 125 new restaurants in other countries!   In Sacramento, after 30 years Rubicon Brewing Company suddenly shutdown due to lack of “cash flow” caused by supply problems from farmers and skyrocketing ‘craft beer’ competition.

Colorado:  After 59 years and two locations, Black Forest Restaurant shutdown so the owner can retire.

Florida: In Delray Beach, the co-owner of Smoke BBQ announced on Facebook “It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing the closing of Smoke BBQ Delray Beach effective immediately.”  In Palm Beach, after only seven months reality TV ‘star’ owned upscale eatery Bowery Coastal shutdown.  In Plant City, Southeast Milk-Sunshine State Dairy Farms began laying off 52 people.

Hawaii:  After 38 years iconic Shore Bird Restaurant and Beach Bar shutdown so the owners can retire.

Idaho: In Twin Falls County somebody is shooting livestock.  In the past month two Llamas were killed, as well as a cattle rancher’s prize bull and heifer. A railroad track runs along the properties where the killings took place (somebody shooting from a train?).  In Bonneville County somebody shot and killed eight cows, leaving their bodies to rot, the local Sheriff believes they’ll find more dead cows.  In Idaho Falls, after 20 years Sarah’s Candy Cottage announced on Facebook that they must shutdown due to being “bought out”.

Illinois: Oak Brook based McDonald’s shutting down 169 restaurants in India due to a contract dispute with Connaught Plaza Restaurants.  Oak Brook based TreeHouse Foods shutting down three factories in three states, killing 375 jobs due to a 12% crash in sales!  In Arcola, after 47 years Dutch Kitchen shutdown, the owners saying “It’s time to stop.”  In Park Ridge, after less than one year the ‘new version’ of the iconic Pickwick Restaurant shutdown.

Kansas:  Farm equipment maker AGCO halting production and idling 2-hundred factory workers for at least four months, due to lack of sales!

Kentucky: In Owensboro, after 52 years Taylor’s Grocery Outlet shutdown, no reason given.

Maryland:  In Baltimore, OrderUp! laid off 70 HQ employees due to being taken over by GrubHub/Groupon.   Ryleigh’s Oyster shutdown its Mount Vernon restaurant.

Michigan: Seventh Day Adventist founded, Donald Trump hating, Kellogg Company (aka Kellogg’s) eliminating 233 jobs at its Battle Creek operations by 2018, claiming it’s part of its plan to increase production!  In Plymouth, after 75 years iconic Box Bar shutdown so the owner can retire.  In Grand Rapids, after 12 years Mangiamo! shutdown to be replaced by an ‘special’ events center.  After four years, without warning Saladworks shutdown and auctioned-off, no reason given.  In Taylor, after almost 1-hundred years Dairy Fresh Brand shutting down, 180 jobs gone in October!  The shutdown will affect dairy distribution in four states.

Missouri: In University City, Randolfi’s Italian Kitchen announced it is shutting down next month, the owners saying “We’ve thrown everything we have into his restaurant. There have been a lot of tears, but it’s time to close the chapter.”  In Saint Louis, with only a few hours warning on Facebook Howards suddenly shutdown, the owners saying “…regret that we can’t keep going…”  In Ellisville, Lucky’s Market shutdown, the company’s website explained “…did not experience the growth we needed to keep this store open.”

Montana: In Livingston, Northern Pacific Beanery shutdown with the owners saying “It’s just time for us to move on.”  Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory shutdown its store in the Holiday Village Mall, blaming consumers by saying “National and local retailers are responding to shifting consumer patterns by modifying their marketing strategies, including store closings.”

New Jersey:  Internet based meal service company Blue Apron issued a shutdown WARN for its Jersey City ops, 1-thousand-270 people jobless by October!

New York: TGIFriday’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Union Square location, 33 jobs gone by Xmas. Private social club River Club of New York shutting down, 60 jobs gone in time for Thanksgiving (due to renovations).  Hudson Valley Snacks and Soda issued a shutdown WARN, 38 jobs gone in October.  In Manhattan-NYC, grocery store Garden of Eden shutdown its Chelsea location due to “historic lack of patronage”.   Wisconsin based Penzeys Spices (penzeys.com) shutdown its Long Island-NYC location, it was the second time the spice seller shutdown a NYC location.  Internet based meal service company Blue Apron suddenly halted hiring and laid off 14 HQ employees “As part of our long-term strategy”.  Without warning Met Fresh shutdown its one year old grocery store in Nyack, no explanation for the “permanent” shutdown.   In Glen Falls, Food Co-op shutdown blaming lack of volunteers to run it: “Unfortunately, at this time we’re unable to keep the hours necessary to sustain a grocery store.”

North Carolina:  In Raleigh, after 17 years Bella Monica Flatbread pizza restaurant now chapter 7 bankrupt dead.  The parent company Bella Monica actually died in 2015, but the co-owner tried to keep the restaurant going.  Also in Raleigh, after 14 years distributor El Ideal Foods now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, most of its food products come from outside the U.S.

Ohio:  Fresh Thyme Farmers Market shutting down one of its four Cincinnati area ‘health food’ stores, blaming increased grocery store competition.

Oregon:  In Portland, Ringside Grill was suddenly sold-off and shutdown, owner Craig Peterson told local news “Dinner hasn’t been able to compete since the recession.”  In Clatskanie, after three years Hump’s Restaurant announced on social media that it was shutting down, no reason given.  Farmers Grain in Nyssa is now chapter 7 bankrupt dead, affecting other farm operations in Idaho and Washington.

Pennsylvania: The Tax Foundation concluded its study on Philadelphia’s so called sugary drink tax (most are made with GMO corn syrup and don’t contain any sugar); the tax now makes soda-pop more expensive than beer because the tax is 24 times higher than the beer tax!  Isn’t beer made by fermenting sugars?    The study also revealed that expected tax collections are way below what the Utopianist city leaders expected.  In Tunkhannock, Brick’s Market shutdown, 34 jobs lost due to not being able to find a buyer for the small grocery store.

Tennessee: In Spring Hill, after four years Mac’s Grub Shak announced on social media it is shutting down in September, local news described the burger joint as “popular”, no reason for the shutdown given.  In Chattanooga, after 20 years English Rose Tearoom shutdown: “We lost our lease … and I’ve been trying to bring on another owner … but it didn’t materialize.”-Sharon Gilley

Texas:  Local news media reporting “yet another” Skinner’s Corner Store shutdown, this time in Lakeport.  In Dallas, after five years Max’s Wine Dive shutdown due to not being able to renew the lease.  In Fort Worth, a Tom Thumb grocery store shutdown.  Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen suddenly laid off 69 employees as it shutdown its Irving HQ due to being taken-over by a competitor.  Snap Kitchen laying off more than 150 people in Austin and Houston, due to consolidation of production to a new factory!  In Austin, after 32 years popular Porfirio’s Tacos announced on Facebook that it must shutdown, no reason given.   Without warning Houston based Joe’s Crab Shack shutdown 41 restaurants across 19 states, thousands of jobs instantly gone: “…everything was fine. I even picked up two shifts to work. When she came in, all the managers were here. All the corporate managers were here. The tables were flipped upside down and they shut everything out.”-Devoshia Jones, instantly unemployed

Vermont:  Nordic Farms now chapter 7 bankrupt, local news reported the phone is now disconnected.

Virginia:   In Manassas, after nine years Hard Times Cafe & Cue forced to shutdown by the greedy landlord.  Dean Foods shutting down its PET dairy operations in Richmond, 75 jobs gone due to “Production will be phased out”.

Washington: In Seattle, Stumptown Coffee Roasters shutdown its East Pine Street location to focus on its other location.

Wisconsin:  In Bay View, after three years Little DeMarinis pizza joint announced it could not renew the lease, which expires in 2018.  In Milwaukee, after seven years Upper 90 Sports Pub shutdown, on social media the owners saying only “we have an exciting opportunity we just could not pass up.”  PDQ Food Stores eliminating 350 HQ employees in October, due to being taken-over by a competitor!  Gordy’s Market chain is up for sale, and if nobody buys it then more than 1-thousand people will become jobless (some stores have already shutdown)!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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