Earlier quoted context omitted.
I have never heard of this before. It is fascinating to me that health care gets decoupled from employment but eating is considered an employment benefit. I don't really object or anything, it just seems out of character. Wouldn't it be better if the government did this directly by the same logic you'd apply to health care? Making employee meals tax deductible instead of just giving everyone a government funded food…
It's an interesting comparison, but I don't really think it's in the same ballpark as healthcare being provided by your employer. It's cheap (less than $90/month for mine) and it's optional - nobody's dying or going bankrupt because they don't have stravenky . It's better to think of it like the free coffee, fruit, breakfast and snacks you might have in your office. I'm sure someone 's made an argument that they'd ra…
The small amount almost makes it stranger, why not just give the benefit to everyone? Food seems like it would be a basic necessity comparable to healthcare, especially when you're talking about such a small amount, and it boosts the local economy just as much if it's coming from an employed person as an unemployed person.
Edit: But yes, I see your point about it being intended to be analogous to "snacks in the office" or whatever. It just seems very strange that it would be in widespread use but tied to your employer. It does sound nice. I just don't understand why it's employer run if it's a cultural expectation.