Guv’s budget includes shift to multi-day distribution of food stamp benefits

Gov. Butch Otter’s budget recommendation for next year includes the proposal from the state Department of Health & Welfare and the Northwest Grocers Association to shift the state’s food-stamp distribution program from single-day distribution on the 1st of each month to a staggered, 10-day distribution, to do away with the mad rush at Idaho’s grocery stores every month on the 1st. The grocers say that’s led to $1 million in spoiled food being thrown out over the last two years. Lawmakers still must approve it for the change to take place; it’s tentatively planned for May. The grocers are putting up $100,000 for the changeover; there would be no general-fund cost to the state until 2014, when the ongoing cost to the state would be $110,000 per year. The remainder of the cost to make the change would be covered by federal funds.