snap ebt benefits can buy plants/seeds

[irelandbird]

So I was not sure where to post this but since its a gardening thing ill post here. I like so mmany others these days have been forced to get on foodstamps. As a husband and father of 5 beautiful kids I have a hard time being out of work and feeling like I cannot provide I amm not one to sit idle and be supported by the taxpayer. But I have recently discovered you can use your foodstammps to buy seeds and plants to grow your own produce etc. So I am prepping a garden for just that. I wanted to let those who do not know that this was a perk of foodstamps about it. You can produce good non gmo fruits and veggies and provide something for yourself with those benefits. Its a great thing. I hope this helps some folks to get their gardens going or add some variety they maay not otherwise be able to afford. Any thought on this are appreciated.

 

[JadedPhoenix]

Out of all of the things that I've heard about the program, this is the best thing I've ever heard. Too bad it isn't widely known. Good for you for finding a way to take care of your family.

 

[irelandbird]

Thankyou! I found out when I went to the store to buy food and decided to get a few seeds packets but figured that'd be it for this year. After all was rung up at the register they didn't charge me for the seeds so being an honest person I asked the cashier who told e what had happened and gave me he info to search online. Turns out its been this way since the seventies but they don't tell you about it very often. You can buy seeds or plants of any food bearing variety on foodstamps. Its a shame they don't tell EVERYONE! It is a way for people to grow more wholesome food while making the small amount of benefits stretch wayyyy more and your feel good and more empowered doing so. If I cn grow it I'm not mooching it and I feel like I'm working for it. They shoujld make this widely known. There is a website that promotes it but unless someone tells you or you search it you won't see it. if anhyone wants to check it out it is snapgardens.org

 

[LIBERTYNY]

First, thank you for trying to take care of yourselves, instead of being a parasite (please take no offense)

A great source of CHEAP seeds are dollor stores during the winter months , Mine commonly has 10 packages for 1$ , sometimes even 20

Not much selection , but they usualy have the very basics

 

[newfoundland]

Never lose your self respect Irelandbird. Tragically there are millions in the same position, all around the world, and through no fault of there own. Times will get better though and meanwhile enjoy growing your own it is a very satisfying thing to do. Your whole family will benefit from it. Good luck to you, I wish you every success!

 

[irelandbird]

Thanks all of you for your encouraging words. I just wish more people would try for themselves in some respect. Everyone needs a leg up now and again. But these days so many are content to just live off of the system its very sad. It is possible if more people knew of this program at least those who are willing and able coluld do mmore for themselves. So if you know anyone on foodstamps tell them. It could make worlds of difference. We are also planniing on canning a lot of the stuff we grow if things grow well. Been looking all over for canning supplies found 4 cases of brand new sealed canning jars at a thrift store for 1.50 a case wowwww.

 

[lazy gardener]

I am so excited to hear you talking about this, irelandbird. Gardening is one of my passions, and it is my dream to be able to partner with our local housing authority for subsidized housing to provide square foot gardening plots for the apartments, and provide the education so folks can grow some of their own produce. What a wonderful opportunity to have a lasting impact in peoples lives, both economically and in boosting self worth. I know that our local food stamp program provides extra incentives for EBT purchases done at local farmer's markets. That's a win-win situation for both the farmer, and the recipient. It is so very sad that people are so removed from the process of food production. I was talking to a lady last spring about growing lettuce, and was truly astounded that she had no idea how to grow lettuce. Then it dawned on me, that a lot of people have probably never planted a seed in their lives. And for folks who are receiving state benefits... I think that the shame is very misplaced. At the risk of being political here, our government has become so parasitic, that it makes it impossible for a lot of people to be self sufficient because of the tax burden. The shame belongs to the gluttony of government.

 

[3for3]

Does anyone know if this includes fruit trees? I have been itching to grow some fruit and trees are popping up at Lowes, TSC, etc.

 

[mlongworth]

Yes it does.

 

[kwissykat]

Do places like lowes and tsc take ebt cards?