State sales tax on food disappears Nov. 1

Starting Nov. 1, South Carolina consumers will no longer have to pay state sales tax on a wide variety of foods.

That's when the state plans to eliminate the 3 percent state sales and use tax on "unprepared food items," defined as those that can be purchased with U.S. Department of Agriculture food stamps.

The change affects staples such as produce, milk and bread, as well as other foods intended to be eaten at home.

Not eligible for the tax break are "prepared foods," generally defined as those to be eaten on the premises (including restaurant meals), as well as hot foods and beverages, alcohol, tobacco products and household goods.

Eligible foods do not have to be purchased with food stamps in order to get the break, while items purchased with food stamps will continue to be free of state tax. Senior citizens 85 and older, who already get a 1 percent tax break on grocery purchases, also will receive the exemption.

The food tax break doesn't apply to local sales and use taxes, which vary from county to county.

The upcoming sales tax reduction follows a tax break introduced last fall, when the state lowered the state sales tax on unprepared foods from 5 percent to 3 percent as part of a property tax relief package.

For more information on the food tax exemption, visit the South Carolina Department of Revenue Web site, www.sctax.org, and scroll down to "What's New."

From Mickey D's to D.C.

A local McDonald's restaurateur traded the Golden Arches for the White House on Wednesday as part of a National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

Luis Melendez, an operations manager for the fast-food chain, received an invitation from President Bush to attend the festivities in the historic East Room of the White House.

The event brought together select Latino business and community leaders from across the nation to recognize the contributions that Latino Americans have made in U.S. culture and society.

Melendez launched his McDonald's career in 1993 as a crew member in a Florida restaurant, and rose through the ranks to his current position, which involves overseeing about 20 restaurants in the Charleston region.

Hispanic Heritage Month runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

Reach Caroline Fossi at 937-5524 or cfossi@postandcourier.com.