There are currently work programs. This is a problem of consumerism and capitalism. It goes deeper than this. As someone who’s currently on food assistance through my state, I have first-hand experience since an injury and I try to lean into the nutrition side but, there’s probably been a treat in there at times.
I feel that this is a little bit of blaming the victim here. “Welfare moms” were a serious target during Reagan.
That being said, alcohol is not allowed. Maybe sugar sodas and candy could be taken off as well.
This is a long answer. I just get think many people don't know there is and has been a legal guest worker program in place for many years and it is used by many farmers. I use crawfish farmers as an example but farmers also use this program to harvest apples, tobacco, many types of berries along with peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers etc. These workers are used for planting, pruning, harvesting etc. Crawfish farmers in the U.S., particularly in states like Louisiana, commonly use the H-2A visa program to hire guest workers for seasonal agricultural work. The H-2A program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural jobs when there are not enough able, willing, and qualified U.S. workers available. Here’s a concise overview relevant to crawfish farming:
Purpose: The H-2A visa program enables crawfish farmers to address labor shortages for tasks like harvesting, processing, and maintaining crawfish ponds, which are seasonal and labor-intensive.
Eligibility: Employers must demonstrate that the job is temporary or seasonal (typically 10 months or less), there are insufficient U.S. workers, and hiring foreign workers will not adversely affect U.S. workers’ wages or conditions.
Process:
Farmers file a job order with the State Workforce Agency (e.g., Louisiana Workforce Commission) 60–75 days before the work start date.
They submit a temporary labor certification (Form ETA-9142A) to the Department of Labor (DOL) at least 45 days prior.
After DOL approval, farmers file an H-2A petition (Form I-129) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Workers apply for an H-2A visa through the U.S. Department of State and undergo consulate interviews.
Employer Obligations:
Provide free housing meeting DOL standards.
Pay at least the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), federal/state minimum wage, or prevailing wage (whichever is highest). In Louisiana for 2025, the AEWR is approximately $14.83/hour.
Guarantee employment for at least 75% of the contract period (e.g., 360 hours over 10 weeks for a 48-hour workweek).
Cover transportation costs (inbound/outbound) and provide meals or cooking facilities.
Worker Protections: Workers are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes but may owe federal income tax. Employers must ensure compliance with labor laws, and violations (e.g., wage theft, unsafe conditions) can lead to penalties or debarment.
Relevance to Crawfish Farming: The program is widely used in Louisiana, where crawfish farming is a significant industry. The seasonal nature of crawfish harvesting (typically November to June) aligns with H-2A’s temporary work requirements. Many workers come from countries like Mexico, often through recruiters, though recruitment practices can be exploitative if unregulated.
Challenges: Crawfish farmers face rising costs (visa fees, housing, transportation, and wages), which can strain smaller operations. The program’s complexity often leads farmers to use farm labor contractors (FLCs), increasing costs and reducing oversight. Additionally, reports of worker exploitation (e.g., illegal fees, poor conditions) highlight systemic issues, though 2024 DOL rules aim to enhance protections.
For crawfish farmers, the H-2A program is critical but costly and administratively complex. Legal assistance from firms specializing in H-2A compliance can help navigate regulations. For more details, farmers can visit farmers.gov or consult the DOL’s H-2A page.
And that was without ever mentioning USAID. That was the other farmers assistance program that exported food products to countries due to natural disasters.
And the problem isn't just food. It drives many of other health related problems that drive up the cost of medicare and medicaid. I know at Kaiser where prevention is a big factor, one of the first questions that gets asked of every patient is of their access to food. The cheapest food options in this country are also the unhealthiest, and lead to crisis like diabetes. So when you are food challenged and on assistance and looking to maximize where every dollar goes, you are also going to make unhealthy choices in the name of penny pinching.
One of the big things that working for Kaiser is sponsors of volunteerism within their employee base. And one of those is food banks. The first thing they tell you when you volunteer is that most of their clientelle the first thing people say is I'm sorry. People are embarrassed to admit that they can't afford to feed themselves.
One thing I found in California food banks, is an abundance of fresh produce. They recognize providing healthier options and their is plenty of imperfect produce that is rejected buy our supermarkets that is still good enough to eat.
Not every state is blessed with the year round options that California has, but reducing waste yet providing for the poor is a key element in such a large state.
Those are some interesting statistics. It’s far time that we have some serious entitlement reform in this country. It is completely out of control.
Agreed on that interview. She, Bessent and Rubio are amazing cabinet picks.
There are currently work programs. This is a problem of consumerism and capitalism. It goes deeper than this. As someone who’s currently on food assistance through my state, I have first-hand experience since an injury and I try to lean into the nutrition side but, there’s probably been a treat in there at times.
I feel that this is a little bit of blaming the victim here. “Welfare moms” were a serious target during Reagan.
That being said, alcohol is not allowed. Maybe sugar sodas and candy could be taken off as well.
This is a slippery slope though.
This is a long answer. I just get think many people don't know there is and has been a legal guest worker program in place for many years and it is used by many farmers. I use crawfish farmers as an example but farmers also use this program to harvest apples, tobacco, many types of berries along with peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers etc. These workers are used for planting, pruning, harvesting etc. Crawfish farmers in the U.S., particularly in states like Louisiana, commonly use the H-2A visa program to hire guest workers for seasonal agricultural work. The H-2A program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural jobs when there are not enough able, willing, and qualified U.S. workers available. Here’s a concise overview relevant to crawfish farming:
Purpose: The H-2A visa program enables crawfish farmers to address labor shortages for tasks like harvesting, processing, and maintaining crawfish ponds, which are seasonal and labor-intensive.
Eligibility: Employers must demonstrate that the job is temporary or seasonal (typically 10 months or less), there are insufficient U.S. workers, and hiring foreign workers will not adversely affect U.S. workers’ wages or conditions.
Process:
Farmers file a job order with the State Workforce Agency (e.g., Louisiana Workforce Commission) 60–75 days before the work start date.
They submit a temporary labor certification (Form ETA-9142A) to the Department of Labor (DOL) at least 45 days prior.
After DOL approval, farmers file an H-2A petition (Form I-129) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Workers apply for an H-2A visa through the U.S. Department of State and undergo consulate interviews.
Employer Obligations:
Provide free housing meeting DOL standards.
Pay at least the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), federal/state minimum wage, or prevailing wage (whichever is highest). In Louisiana for 2025, the AEWR is approximately $14.83/hour.
Guarantee employment for at least 75% of the contract period (e.g., 360 hours over 10 weeks for a 48-hour workweek).
Cover transportation costs (inbound/outbound) and provide meals or cooking facilities.
Worker Protections: Workers are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes but may owe federal income tax. Employers must ensure compliance with labor laws, and violations (e.g., wage theft, unsafe conditions) can lead to penalties or debarment.
Relevance to Crawfish Farming: The program is widely used in Louisiana, where crawfish farming is a significant industry. The seasonal nature of crawfish harvesting (typically November to June) aligns with H-2A’s temporary work requirements. Many workers come from countries like Mexico, often through recruiters, though recruitment practices can be exploitative if unregulated.
Challenges: Crawfish farmers face rising costs (visa fees, housing, transportation, and wages), which can strain smaller operations. The program’s complexity often leads farmers to use farm labor contractors (FLCs), increasing costs and reducing oversight. Additionally, reports of worker exploitation (e.g., illegal fees, poor conditions) highlight systemic issues, though 2024 DOL rules aim to enhance protections.
For crawfish farmers, the H-2A program is critical but costly and administratively complex. Legal assistance from firms specializing in H-2A compliance can help navigate regulations. For more details, farmers can visit farmers.gov or consult the DOL’s H-2A page.
And that was without ever mentioning USAID. That was the other farmers assistance program that exported food products to countries due to natural disasters.
https://betterworldcampaign.org/blog/what-us-farmers-get-from-americas-engagement-in-the-un
And the problem isn't just food. It drives many of other health related problems that drive up the cost of medicare and medicaid. I know at Kaiser where prevention is a big factor, one of the first questions that gets asked of every patient is of their access to food. The cheapest food options in this country are also the unhealthiest, and lead to crisis like diabetes. So when you are food challenged and on assistance and looking to maximize where every dollar goes, you are also going to make unhealthy choices in the name of penny pinching.
https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/news/press-release-archive/launching-the-food-is-medicine-center-of-excellence
One of the big things that working for Kaiser is sponsors of volunteerism within their employee base. And one of those is food banks. The first thing they tell you when you volunteer is that most of their clientelle the first thing people say is I'm sorry. People are embarrassed to admit that they can't afford to feed themselves.
One thing I found in California food banks, is an abundance of fresh produce. They recognize providing healthier options and their is plenty of imperfect produce that is rejected buy our supermarkets that is still good enough to eat.
https://www.cafoodbanks.org/what-we-do/farm-family/
Not every state is blessed with the year round options that California has, but reducing waste yet providing for the poor is a key element in such a large state.