The Government has already delivered 300,000 food cards: what is spent and how they work

02/09/2020 - 18:26

• Clarín.com
• Politics

The food card is already in the hands of almost 290,000 people . Depending on the number of children under 6, in that plastic there are available between $ 4,000 and $ 6,000. A report from the Ministry of Social Development shows that - on purchases made from January 20 to 27 - households spent an average of $ 2,734 in the conurbation.

The portfolio directed by Daniel Arroyo delivered 215,610 cards in 12 municipalities of the province of Buenos Aires in which he surveyed. Here your results:

• 26.1% of households spent, in total, up to $ 1,499. A fifth (20.3%) spent between $ 1,500 and $ 2,499. More than a third (33.8%) between $ 2,500 and $ 3,999. Finally, only 19.8% consumed $ 4,000 or more.

• 42.8% of the products purchased (representing 58% of the money spent) correspond to recommended foods, or labeled as "healthy" by Social Development. These are animal protein (meat, about 3 kilos per household), liquid dairy products (almost two liters per household), dense dairy / dust (0.3 kilos per household), vegetables (1 kilo per household) and fruits (medium kilo per household).

• On the other hand, there is 25% of the expense that was "not recommended" foods, because they are ultraprocessed, with excess sugar or sodium. Among them are soft drinks and sugary drinks (1.2%) and powdered juices (1.3%) represent 2.5% of what is spent on food. 3.7% corresponds to ultraprocessed meat proteins.

• Data were measured in Almirante Brown, Avellaneda, San Martín and La Matanza.

• The card is loaded with $ 4,000 pesos for a mother with a child under 6 years old, 3 months pregnant or disabled . If there is more than one 6-year-old child, the sum goes up to $ 6,000. The charge is made on the third Friday of each month and is cumulative. What was not consumed, can be saved for the following month.

• In Concordia (Entre Ríos), where 6,920 cards were handed out, households spent an average of $ 2,200, with the estimated maximum amount for this population being $ 4,880. In a period of 19 days considered, 40% of households spent up to $ 1,499. 22% used between $ 1,500 and $ 2,499. And 25% between $ 2500 and $ 3999. Finally, only 13% consumed $ 4000 or more.

• From a nutritional point of view, 48% of the food products purchased are "recommended" foods (such as dairy products, protein of animal origin, vegetables and fruits, mainly). 22% of the total expenditure went to non-recommended products ( ultraprocessed food products, with excessive sugar / sodium, etc.). The remaining 28% is made up of other types of food (flour, rice, sweets, condiments, infusions). The purchase of flour was 11% of the products, rice 1.3%, soft drinks 2.2%, juice juices 3.4%.

• The food card is automatic for all people who receive Universal Child Allowance (AUH), from the crossing of the ANSES database. It is not processed anywhere, or with managers or social organizations.

• In this first stage, mothers and fathers with daughters and sons up to 6 years old who are currently receiving the AUH will receive it. The delivery will be done in stages in each of the provinces of Argentina, according to the Ministry of Social Development.
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Anses is notifying the cardholder that he is in a position to withdraw his card by the bank determined by each province. That is the only entity authorized to issue the card. Notifications will be made by phone or by SMS, to the number registered in the ANSES database.

With the card, you cannot withdraw cash. It only serves to buy food and not alcoholic beverages.