For those who rely on it, food assistance like the bridge card can help beat hunger. More Michigan families are turning to the program than ever before after job losses and cuts in household income. For those in need, such programs are a valuable beyond words. No one likes to think of anyone going hungry and more and more first time users are joining the ranks. It is hard to argue that such programs don't serve a valuable purpose, but one of our viewers says he can't believe that Michigan food assistance recipients can get premade meals delievered right to the homes with services like Schwans. He wanted us find out why it was an option. So we asked the Department of Human services. They told us it's not a service intended to benefit everyone, but those who need it, its very benefical. Their response is the subject of this Fact Finder.

You may have seen their trucks rolling through your neighborhood, or checked out their extensive menu of frozen meals that can be delivered to your door. Maybe you're a customer yourself? But should everyone be allowed to be a Schwan's customer? That's what one of our viewers asked in email. He wondered why are people on food assistance like the bridge card able to buy what he described as  delivered frozen meals when the same can bought for less at the grocery store. I made some phone calls to the Department of Human Services which overseas the Food Assistance Program and asked them our viewer's question. Edward Woods III is the communications director with DHS and he says quite simply "They provide food! The whole objective of the food assistance program is to purchase food. What makes Schwan's probably convenient versus other retailers especially in our rural and urban areas where it's difficult to have transportation or there might be difficulties accessing a local grocery store to buy food is that they deliver."

On a per pound item, like ground beef, you maybe able to find a better price than the one offered at Schwans.com, but DHS says value isn't the point or their concern. According to Woods when it comes to deciding where to shop based on price "that choice is solely up to the holder of the bridge card. We do not legislate or dictate where they go to buy their food."

Now its important to note that the Bridge Card is not a free for all. There are items like alcohol and tobacco products that are not covered, but when it comes to where you can shop a grocery store or a home delivery service Woods explains "as long as the product they are buying are eligible expenses for the food assistance program the state is not going to get involved in terms of making that decision for anyone that holds a bridge card because they are on food assistance." DHS says the reason that home delivery services like Schwan's are eligible is pretty simple in their eyes, "The food assistance does not provide you with transportation. You can use it to buy food so if you do not own your own car or do not have money for public transportation to go to the grocery store this might be a possible alternative." But as for whether it's not the most food bang for the bridge card buck, Woods admits "that's not something the Michigan Department of Human Services makes a decision or has any regulations for."

I contacted Schwan's headquarters with our emailed question, and asked for their reaction. Here is their entire response:

"We offer families in 48 states more than 350 great-tasting, quality products at a broad price range. We would hope to be treated as any other company or retail outlet that sells food."

I also contacted several service agencies that work with the elderly or people with limited capabilities. They say having a service like Schwans means that folks who might be able to cook for themselves can still have complete meals without having to leave their homes.

So what do you think.  Let me know.

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