USDA Uses Spanish Soap Operas to Push Immigrants to Apply for Food Stamps

[Jennifer Groves]

"The government has been targeting Spanish speakers with radio “novelas” promoting food stamp usage as part of a stated mission to increase participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps."

 

http://dailycaller.com/2012/07/12/usda-uses-spanish-soap-operas-to-...

 

"Each novela, comprising a 10-part series called “PARQUE ALEGRIA,” or “HAPPINESS PARK,” presents a semi-dramatic scenario involving characters convincing others to get on food stamps, or explaining how much healthier it is to be on food stamps."

 

"Happiness Park" ~ is that like "Arbeit Macht Frei"??? Wonder if it has gas chambers?

 

"The majority of the episodes end with the announcer encouraging the listener to tune in again to see if the skeptic applies for benefits or learns to understand the importance of food stamps to their health.

 

"In addition to the Spanish-language outreach, the USDA is also pushing to get non-citizens enrolled in the program. The radio novelas overcome one of the hurdles the agency has identified as hampering participation: “lack of knowledge” about the program."

 

"In the 1970s, one in 50 Americans were on food stamps — today that figure is one in seven. SNAP spending has doubled since 2008 and quadrupled since 2001."

Once again, we must turn to England for news in America.

I can see a few areas where we might just be able to do a little budget cutting.