Based on one’s gross income, applicants can apply for help to purchase food via the government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In Michigan, the program is called the Food Assistance Program (FAP) with monthly benefits uploaded to a debit-like card called the Bridge Card. But one Michigan woman is facing charges and a decade behind bars for allegedly using said benefits — to her benefit. We’ll explain.
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The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 prohibits recipients from using their food stamps for business or resale purposes. Talia C. Teneyuque, 32, is accused of using her Bridge Card to purchase ingredients she used to bake and sell treats from January 2022 to September 2023 on social media.
Authorities say Teneyuque of Saginaw, Mich. made several thousand dollars from her online bakery, Luvn a Jar, on Facebook. “From scratch bakery serving fresh, beautiful desserts!! Candied grapes, cheesecakes, empanadas, cakes & more,” the bakery’s description reads. “Always made with love to make your moments a little sweeter.”
She’s accused of misusing more than $20,000 in Bridge Card benefits to fund her bakery, which has over 7K followers on Facebook and offers Strawberry Crunch Cake, Jolly Rancher soft candy grapes, and Superman pound cake, amongst others. She was arrested in August, released on a personal bond, and slapped with a felony charge after $20,502.01 of “questionable transactions” were found of candies, fruit, and other ingredients she sold in the form of desserts.
Teneyuque, according to reports, was charged with one count of food stamp fraud involving over $1,000, but was offered a plea deal— which she declined. Prosecutors said all the defendant had to do was plead guilty or no contest to a one-year misdemeanor count of larceny between $200 and $1,000 to ultimately receive probation. She refused, per MLive.com, which could have prevented a felony conviction on her record if she repaid the funds prosecutors said she misused or had her current Bridge Card benefits garnished. Instead, she proceeded with a court hearing.
If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHS), per the outlet, granted Teneyuque’s application for SNAP in December 2021. Kristie M. Giorgis, an eligibility specialist with Saginaw County’s DHS, claimed Teneyuque signed an agreement that she would “use my benefits legally and will not sell, trade, or give away my benefits online or in person.”
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