The SNAP economy

I emailed Saslow for two reasons; 1) to find out about the meat market because it's driving me nuts; and 2) for a breakdown on how the reporting went down. He crushed a story that no one in the state really attacked. It's a shame for all three of the papers that cover the town - ProJo, Woonsocket Call and Valley Breeze.
Anyway, he sent me a short response. Said he was traveling and would provide a longer one when he got the chance.
The meat market is called International Meat Market and the sign looks about as you'd expect from the description of the story. So the good news is there is no error, just a business that doesn't have a valid address. I'm almost wondering if they renamed the business to make people think it was connected with the place in Central Falls.
here's the pic Saslow sent me;

 

So it looks like one of those high-priced grocery stores that's just above a convenience store?

 

Here's the inside
http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/blackstone/wpri-woonsocket-store-owners-arrested-for-buying-and-reselling-stolen-goods

 

The story reminds me of stories I read about life in the old Soviet Union years ago... food shortages, people living well below the poverty line, just struggling to survive from one month to the next.

When I read stories like this, I always wonder what on earth a 21-year-old couple who just graduated high school is doing having two kids? Do people not realize how expensive it is to raise kids and that, if you can't feed yourself, having yet another mouth to feed (not to mention clothing, medical care, etc.) is just one more burden that you probably don't need? I grew up in a middle class family but was cautioned over and over and over about the folly of marrying too young and/or having kids that you're not economically prepared to support. It just amazes me how many people failed to get that memo.

But a pretty well written story on a really shocking situation that I suspect is happening in a lot of places.

 

have you ever even been married much less touched a woman?

 

What makes you think I'm gay?

 

never said you were. just have my doubts that you've ever touched a woman ... without paying for it first.

 

Not like he spent $1,300 on Prince tickets or anything, not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

hahahahahaha. i spent $653. i WANT $1,300.

 

Read the first half this afternoon at work. Really enjoying it.

 

Yeah. I get long breaks; sometimes 9 hours at a time.