I was unable to afford food around 1995. I have both dated and had family members on food stamps/EBT, which will easily keep you alive in California and Washington state (don't know about the rest of the nation). I know multiple people who could afford food, but spend it on alcohol/drugs consistently and end up with very little to eat (going to food banks and such).
EBT eligibility varies substantially across the nation. California being on the maximally eligible end of the spectrum AIUI.
Even if you have EBT though, not all stores accept it, and you can't put gas in your car using EBT, nor buy non-food items like booze.
So it's easy to understand why broke people would shoplift. Baby formula in particular is a hot item for shoplifters since it's so easy to turn into cash. (and also why it's locked up near the cigarettes in many stores)
