question on foodstamps and formula

[cbms]

With Food Stamps purchases, you can buy anything that has one of the FDA food/nutrition labels. This is ANYTHING with that white label on it. Formula is definitely on that list-in any form. Basically everything "food." You can also get all fruits/veggies, fruit-bearing and vegetable-bearing plants, etc. If it's food, it qualifies.

I'd recommend breastfeeding as well. At least part time. If she qualifies for food stamps, she automatically qualifies for WIC, and the breastfeeding WIC package is really awesome!! WIC has changed a lot, so there's now vouchers to get fruits/veggies; whole grain bread, rice, or tortillas; milk; cheese; eggs; cereal; and juice. It's really a wonderful program.

[bailey07]

thanks all :) for your tips. Yes breasfeeding is best, she was just concerned bc talking with people like me it is hard to keep up on it. You know new mom worries? lol :) my supply has diminished so much I had to start giving my baby formula. It is just so hard to pump when needed and if you miss it too often your amounts gradually go down. So anywho just gathering lots of info for her whenever she has a question, and I know this is the place to ask!
On a side note---since joining this site in april and learning lots, I have a 2 1/2 month old baby and I have only spent about $5 on formula no foodstamps no wic just coupons and wise shopping, and signing up for samples. I have a stockpile of formula for I estimate 3 months worth. Thank you all for your wisdom! It is great to be able to pass along the knowledge

[mommy22boys]

I'm glad I read through all this. I have been curious about the same thing. A girl I know (an ex-coworker who sometimes asks me for advise) text me recently and asked if I thought her baby would get sick if she gives him whole milk at 10 months because she ran out of her WIC formula. Our local grocery store here in town (a tiny HyVee) has signs up by the registers that say "Attention: Infant formula is not considered a grocery item." So she was not able to use her food stamps to buy it there. It just so happened that I had received some formula checks and gave her a small balance gift card I had as well. I really think it's odd that they have those signs up. So everywhere else you CAN use food stamps to buy formula?

[CW&M Mom]

I'm glad I read through all this. I have been curious about the same thing. A girl I know (an ex-coworker who sometimes asks me for advise) text me recently and asked if I thought her baby would get sick if she gives him whole milk at 10 months because she ran out of her WIC formula. Our local grocery store here in town (a tiny HyVee) has signs up by the registers that say "Attention: Infant formula is not considered a grocery item." So she was not able to use her food stamps to buy it there. It just so happened that I had received some formula checks and gave her a small balance gift card I had as well. I really think it's odd that they have those signs up. So everywhere else you CAN use food stamps to buy formula?

That is just not true. She should contact the local office that she gets her food stamps and report the store. Food Stamp Outreach Program - New York - Calculator - Budget

[bailey07]

our store just have pedilite as a non food item signs up saying you cant use foodstamps. Bc it is consider a medicine

[CW&M Mom]

our store just have pedilite as a non food item signs up saying you cant use foodstamps. Bc it is consider a medicine

The Food stamp program is a federal program. The stores cannot dictate what is considered food. The states can't even dictate what is food and not food. The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT decides. So call the state..and report your store. They cannot stop you from purchasing pedalyte.

I have purchased pedalyte with food stamps before...I promise you..you can. It's not a medication.

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[bailey07]

wow! I didn't know that! thanks for the response.

[cbms]

I'm glad I read through all this. I have been curious about the same thing. A girl I know (an ex-coworker who sometimes asks me for advise) text me recently and asked if I thought her baby would get sick if she gives him whole milk at 10 months because she ran out of her WIC formula. Our local grocery store here in town (a tiny HyVee) has signs up by the registers that say "Attention: Infant formula is not considered a grocery item." So she was not able to use her food stamps to buy it there. It just so happened that I had received some formula checks and gave her a small balance gift card I had as well. I really think it's odd that they have those signs up. So everywhere else you CAN use food stamps to buy formula?

THIS IS SUCH A LIE!!! Stores can't decide what is and is not approved. I can even go to the fresh butcher and get freaking filet Mignon if I want, and this store thinks that INFANT FORMULA isn't a food item???? grrrrrrrrrrrr

Eligible Food Items

http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers/eligibility.pdf

[mommy22boys]

Thanks for the information! That really aggravates me know that I know the truth! I wondered why they would not consider infant formula a grocery considering its the primary source of nutrition for bottle fed infants and isn't that the point of government programs- to make sure babies & children (and families) have proper nutrition? I thought maybe it was like because they had a problem with people buying formula with food stamps then selling it. But still, it's not their dictation to stop that! If they feel it's suspicious they should report it and let the government investigate it. Right? I mean, yes, people are going to misuse programs and it's terrible that someone would do this... but it shouldn't affect the people who are truly just trying to buy the formula their baby needs!

[mzbeers]

Anything labeled with "Nutrition Facts" or "Nutrition Information" should be and is Food Stamp qualified. If it's labeled with "Supplement Facts" or Supplement Information" it is not Food Stamp qualified.