How to make a display:
A display can demonstrate that a significant amount of food could be bought, if folks did not have to pay the tax.
Show how much food could be purchased with JUST THE TAX on $100 food.
Actually, 2 gallons of milk makes the point.
Take a picture of one or two eager teenagers with two gallons of milk. Display this or carry it around to show people, with some fliers and info about how to contact your legislators.
Select a combination of foods that add up to $6.00. That the tax in most of South Dakota on $100 of food. Purchase as much as you can for the money. Choose basics, not extravagances. Choose healthy foods. Choose cheap brands, but not unusually low sale prices. (because low-income people often do not have the money to take advantage of a great sale.) You could attach them to a tray with hot glue.
Put a sign on it: "What You Could Buy with the Tax You Pay on $100 Groceries!"
Watch for places to put it where people will see it! Put some info fliers with it.
Suggestions. Choose some of these or other basics, but only enough to add up to $6.00:
Milk, half gallon (White carton looks good.)
Tuna
A can Pork n' Beans
One box cheap Mac 'n Cheese
One canned vegetable
Soup
Fake banana, apple or orange
A potato or onion
Pkg of spaghetti
26-oz can of spaghetti sauce (if $1 or less.)
Background:
Ending food tax would be the same as a constant sale on every food item in the grocery cart.
Every percent of food tax is the equivalent of eleven meals per year.
It is absolutely true that the tax is reducing the amount of food for many people in South Dakota that need the food.
"I work hard to provide for my family, but the tax takes food off our table." -Karen, mother of three
Bread for the World - SD, 2/1/09