FOOD-STAMP RECIPIENTS NEED NUTRITION HELP

It's not surprising that a study of food-stamp recipients show they eat more sugar and fat than non-recipients.

In general, the least expensive, most filling food has the worst nutrition. If you've got a family to feed on a tight budget, the choice is easy, even if you have food stamps to help with food costs.

In addition, most parents are looking for quick and easy ways to feed their families, and often easy-to-prepare food isn't the most nutritious food.

The same study, done by the Agriculture Department's Economic Research Service, shows participants in the Women, Infants and Children program cut their fat and sugar intake because the program limits the kinds of food they can buy.

It is apparent the answer lies in education. The USDA has increased funding for state nutrition programs by $400,000 in the last eight years. Now officials must see that their message gets to all food-stamp recipients so they can buy the most nutritious food using their limited resources.