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EBT now stands for restaurant meals
A sign in a market window advertises the acceptance of food stamps in New York City.
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Steve Chiotakis: There are some new signs luring customers into fast food restaurants around Los Angeles these days. No, they're not glossy close-ups of half-pound beef patties. They are plain white and blue signs, saying: "Now Accepting EBT" -- that's shorthand for food stamps. Reporter Vanessa Romo has more.
Vanessa Romo: Things weren't always so dire for Maria Ochoa. She once owned a beauty salon, a house, and a gold Lexus. But now she's at El Pollo Loco eating her one hot meal of the day.
Maria Ochoa: I always eat cold food, but I'm tired because sometimes we want some hot meals. And now that I know that they get the EBT, I come here and eat a hot meal.
EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It's a debit card for food stamps.
Ochoa, a woman in her 50's with red permed hair and polished nails, is now living in that gold Lexus. Six months ago, she would have been hard-pressed to find a restaurant that takes food stamps. Now El Pollo Loco, Dominos and Jack in Box are part of L.A. county's Restaurant Meals program.
Lydia Erviti oversees the program, which includes more than 500 restaurants.
Lydia Erviti: Our goal is to provide healthy meals for the homeless, disabled and elderly participants. Especially the homeless because they don't have space to store food or cook.
Restaurant Meals is also paying off for those on the cooking end.
Joe Stein is the head of Strategy and Innovation for El Pollo Loco:
Joe Stein: I can tell you for 2010, just the way it's trending, we wouldn't be surprised if for company and franchise stores was over $2 million. From something that just started in August 09, that's pretty good size growth.
Good enough to interest other chains in joining the program, like Pizza Hut and Burger King. But food stamps still won't get you a Big Mac or Chicken McNuggets. Not yet anyway.
That's OK with Maria Ochoa:
Ochoa: With my blood pressure and my diabetic, I can not eat too much salt and greasy food. That's why I prefer to come here.
For now she's sticking with the grilled chicken.
In Los Angeles, I'm Vanessa Romo for Marketplace.
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Not sure about every state, but I believe in AZ only the homeless, disabled and elderly that are on the EBT program are allowed to use the card for "prepared" meals at participating restaurants. Those of us who are perfectly capable of cooking a meal at home should not be using the card outside of normal grocery shopping. However, I don't believe the state requires the participant to prove they are eligible to purchase a prepared hot meal and I doubt the restaurants are required to "police" such.
My ex husband is back in europe,doesn't pay child support and we never see any help. My kids are 10 and 14. Working a job 40 hours a week at $9 am hour I made too much money for help. Since my position was eliminated, I get help. It isn't my kids fault that their dad doesnt pay his child support,why shouldnt they be allowed to eat? Its up to the individual to eat healthy and noone should dictate. My children and I eat very healthy but sometimes I do buy some chips or something.It would be great to be able to go out and eat or grab something quickly that tastes a lot better than a frozen meal that you pop in the microwave. Fast food places have a lot of healthy options now.We have never eaten out a lot but occasionally there is nothing wrong with it whether you or a millionaire or a victim of circumstance. I can only hope that you people that judge others never have to face what some do.yes, some people dont want help but sometimes people need it to get back on their feet and why do they not deserve the same as others?
This is great for the economy
Restaurant locations that need EBT processing and equipment. email me at rob@globalpaymentsincvt.com
I was watching the news and saw the story about dominos and el pollo loco taking ebt cards, so i decided to google it. sure enough i found out that in L. A. Its been going on for a long time. But I think the people that are saying "my tax dollars are paying for fast food?" i think thats just plain stupid. first of all, your argument is " i dont mind helping" but you follow with, "but not on fast food" what difference does it make if you "pay" to feed someone with cold food or hot food? food is food. People are always saying how fat america is but they dont stop and think, a dollar burger is what the name says $1. and go to the grocery store and buy healthy food and its very expensive. you cant go to the grocery store with a dollar and get something that actually satisfies your hunger. and what some people are saying is true. fast food is cheaper than healthy food.
Hello and well wishes, first of all, we are all human and deserve to eat, drink and live without constraints. No matter what religion or political state, God said let us all be fruitful. We were put on earth to take care of each other, by any means neccessary, if the government decides to take it in their hands to feed the homeless, elderly or disabled with EBT, then by all means whats the problem. Everyone needs an hot meal once in a while, are you goin to bring them in your house if they bought the food from a grocery store and needed a place to prepare it? I didn't think so. I have helped many people in need because I believe that that is the way God intended us to be, you never know when he comes knocking on your door. I was homeless, hungary, jobless you name it and I needed some assistance from who ever would help, but some people are so self obsorbed that they can't see anyone elses hurt, wake up and change the way you think, creat a stable place for your children to copy. Show society that you matter and will do what ever it takes to turn our problems around trust me psitivity can be very addictive before you know it it catches on and we all are doing our part. I am now a business owner of a Fish Market and have created a program that helps the elderly receive hot meals at a very generous price, no I can't afford to feed the world but I feel that I am doing my part. Will you do your? I do not currently accept EBT because they aknowledge my business as a resturant, but I would if I could.
The hate, factionalism, and lack of forethought in this country astounds me. We don't have this hot meal program here, but I will tell you something. When you have a permanent injury or condition that precludes cooking and reduces the ability to walk a store, you appreciate microwave dinners. You'd appreciate a hot meal. There are healthy foods that you can purchase at fast food restaurants and it is cheaper than the grocery store. Many people are homeless through no fault of their own. I suspect I will soon be homeless due to incapacitating conditions. For all of those who are griping, there will definitely come a day when you will need help, too. Pray that someone will be willing to help you.
Our tax money is going to fast food? This is horrible. And we wonder why the government has such a huge deficit? For reasons like this. I worked extremely hard just to eat top ramen for dinner today, going out to eat fast food today would have been nice but I can't afford it so I do not. Also, with more people eating fast food, more medical bills are needing to be paid for by the taxpayers due to fast food being unhealthy, the majority of it at least. (people using food stamps do not have medical insurance, it is paid for by the government which in turn is paid for by our tax money. This is just plain ridiculous.
Fast food is cheaper than buying at the Grocery store, you get more for the money. All the ingredients to make the meal they serve for 1 dollar would be more if I bought it at the grocery store. I could stretch my food stamps much further than they go now. I always run out of milk,bread and eggs , a good 10 days before my new benefits come in. I try and save enough out every month for these staples. But if I BLOW it on fresh produce, I get jacked up and run out. Sure I want to eat healthy. but can;t afford it. I have been looking for a job diligently. I used to make 50 to 75 grand all my life. Now i'm 46 can't find a job. I can't live on 7.25 an hour. I have 2 kids. The gas to get to a job that pays that in my rural area will far exceed what I will be paid. And I can't get 40 hours a week plus overtime. Oh I will work it, but they say no. 20 hours or so.If that. I apply to restaurants as a waitress, but they want the younger kids there. So, now you teell me what to do when gas is 4.00 bucks a gallon and it's 15 to 20 miles back and forth less taxes, feed my kids, gas in the car and pay rent?? I'll take double cheeseburgers and fries or a dollar salad at the dollar menu all day long. Thats 2 things each 18 dollars a day. 540 bucks a month. I think I have to skip meals for myself and feed the kids.I only get 312.0 a month. Whether I buy at the grocery store or fast food. Which I can't in Pennsylvania anyway. Which I DO!!!
When you have a child and the father walks out and pays nothing for your child's care. When you work 16 hour days every weekend and 12 hour days during the week to get your degree and liscensure to work cooking a meal isn't always an option. It's nice to be able to pick up a meal to feed your child before you have to leave her in a strangers hands again to go back to work. Mcdonalds and burger king no but subway or a salad or even golden corral allows you to get a decent meal for your child but it also gives your kid the precious time with you she needs to be healthy emotionally as well. Judge not lest you be judged
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