A sign of the times - Costco to take Food Stamps

[hotcouponmama]

Since this is grocery related, I'm landing this thread here so people who need to see it will see it, although I'm sure there will be some commentary on it too.

But I think with nearly 12% of the country on foodstamps, Costco is hedging its bet on a new customer base, and considering it's likely that with 10M people having gone on foodstamps since 2008, that many people already had a membership, it's pretty savvy of them.

One of the things I disagree with is that buying in bulk from a warehouse club is any kind of deal for people paying in cash or foodstamps. However, there are some things that make sense from a warehouse - dairy and eggs being a good choice if you can't get a deal on them at a grocery store.

If the small local butcher shops and the Dollar Stores in my area have dialed into this, I'm actually kind of amazed that it took Costco this long to snap to it.

Interestingly, a rep from their company said something to the effect of Costco having to readjust their thinking, and basically, be a bit more humble in rethinking what "poor" means. After years of being the shopping haven for the affluent, this could be a pretty big switch for them. Will watch and see....

[latte]

I saw something on this the other day.........I personally have been on foodstamps (after going to the plasma center for grocery money cause my paycheck paid all my bills) BUT how many people recieving foodstamps are going to be able to come up with the 50$ or so for the yearly membership prilage of shopping there? Just because they accept foodstamps, doesnt mean that the recipiants are going to have the CASH to pay for a membership



How is the membership fee going to be paid for by someone who doesnt have the CASH to do it? It's not like they are going to take foodstamps to pay for the membership fee

[latte]

And, another thought.........MANY families who recieve food stamps, also ride the bus in my area......who is going to lug a bunch of BULK stuff from Costco on the bus??? I don't drive personally, but if I were to go to Costco, I KNOW that I would need a ride home with the *groceries* ........and I have been inside of Costco recently.......the ONLY things I found that were a GOOD price (not even taking coupons into consideration) were milk and eggs----I personally can get meats for less at my Albertsons, or Fred Meyer, or Safeway on markdown for an 1/8 of the cost that meats were priced at Costco.


I looked at thier produce as well, and for what you get its a decent price, BUT my family wouldnt be able to eat all of it before it went bad, and then I would be tossing out produce that didnt get eaten.

[justmeagain]

I remember the days when I thought buying bulk was the way to go so I can see the logic in this. It really took me a bit to adjust my thinking that smaller sizes actually are better. However like latte says.........the membership fee....that will be the issue. We don't have a costco here but we do have sams club. I'm no longer a member of course because with couponing I can get things so much cheaper. We do qualify for foodstamps but I won't apply for them because with couponing I have MORE than enough food.

[hotcouponmama]

I think the assumption Costco is making is that lots of the "newly foodstamped" customers will already have a membership, and they are seeing a spike in people who are signing up because of their decision to take foodstamps.

True, to Latte's point - there are many who use foodstamps who don't have a car, but many more do. 36 million Americans is a lot of people and they won't all fit the "foodstamp" stereotype.

We have a costco membership. The things I buy their regularly:

* Satsumas/mandarin oranges
* Trash bags
* Salmon burger patties
* Cup of Noodles
* Cheesesticks
* Peanut Butter pretzel nuggets
* Some individually wrapped things for lunches (chips, etc)
* Contact lens solution
* Gift Certs - (Local restaurants that have $100 for $80)
* Shrimp Wonton soups and a few other specialty things you can't get at the grocery store
* Chicken nuggets
* pre-made meatballs

And some other odds and ends.

But overall, not the best deal on most grocery items. Not if you're a good couponer.

[justmeagain]

Having a car is basically a way of life in some areas like here.....to get anywhere you have to drive.

[hotcouponmama]

Having a car is basically a way of life in some areas like here.....to get anywhere you have to drive.

Yep - I'd have to walk over 2 miles just to get to a bus stop here. And then past that, I have to drive about 5 miles just to get to a decent store to shop at.

[justmeagain]

We only have one box store here......rite aid. Oh I take that back, we JUST got a pamida. But our big grocery stores (Meijers, super walmart, target, staples, petsmart, toysrus etc etc) are about a 40-45minute drive............including Sams club

[aurorahorse]

It will be interesting to see if that changes anything.

I don't buy as much food there as I used to, but their meats are better and good prices. I also get the milk/cheese/eggs (unless on sale). The meds alone are what makes it worth it...my contacts and OTC meds are TONS cheaper there. :) Okay, and the tires...and their return policy....I LOVE Costco. :)

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I heard that BJ's accepts foodstamps as well. I think it is good idea. Provided that you can pay for the membership or already have one there are a few things that can be a good deal at a warehouse store. We don't have a warehouse club anywhere near us but we got a membership for Sams Club for and get a few things when we are in a city with one. We got some good deals for food things we needed for our camping trip to Yellowstone this summer and since then we have been back 2 times and I got some produce, milk and meat. With a large family the quantities were fine for us.