meta-dad

Costco says ‘no go’ to food stamps

Walmart accepts food stamps. Sam’s Club recently changed it’s policy and now accepts EBT cards. The Farmer’s Market also accepts food stamps. Heck, in the state of California select restaurants and even Flea Markets accept them. So why doesn’t the hugely popular Kirkland-based bulk purveyor? It is by no means mandatory and they are a member-only store, they claim that the majority of their business comes from small businesses and upper-income individuals and families. It is arguable that most recipients of food stamps are destitute and/or homeless and are far from a position of covering the basic $50 annual membership fee. But as many families are quickly finding out, it is a short road to the soup line in the current economy.

For those fortunate enough not to be privy to advancements in the food stamps program, the paper coupons were replaced with plastic EBT shopping cards in 2004. They look like bank cards and can be used on the same swippers at the checkout.

My wife called them to ask them whether they accepted EBT (food stamp) cards and the Customer Service Rep explained to her that the company was not in the position to re-program all the machines to accept the (EBT) cards. I realize we are living in tough times and companies need to watch their bottom dollar and some could argue that your food stamp dollars could go much further at other stores, but there is no logical reason for a major Grocer not to accept food stamps. It is not only compassionate, but it’s good for their bottom line.

Previous reports show that Eric N. Gioia, a city councilman from Queens has given Costco a run for their money back in November with a full-on campaign to push the Fortune-500 company to accept food stamps. In a recent report out of Pittsburgh, co-founder Jim Sinegal stated they generally don’t have customers with food stamps. With more and more upper and middle class families finding themselves cutting back or out-of-work, it is a question of time before that theory is debunked and their membership starts waning.

In February of this year, Sam’s Club changed its policy and started accepting EBT cards. The question remains, whether this company that touts a socially aware reputation will bend its own rules and help out their members before they loose them.