SNAP Decision

No soda for you:

West Virginia will ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a waiver that enables the state to prohibit using food stamps to buy soda, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced on March 28. “Taxpayer dollars should be targeted toward nutritious foods,” Morrisey, a Republican, said during a news conference with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He noted that the formal name of the food stamp program is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). At the end of the event, Morrisey signed a letter of intent to request waivers for changes to the SNAP program in West Virginia, the governor’s office stated. Kennedy told those assembled that the governor had recounted to him what unfolded during a recent meeting with soda companies. “He came in with his Diet Coke, and he said, ‘Is there anything nutritious in here?’” Kennedy said. “And they were like, ‘No, of course not, but food stamps is not a nutrition program.’” “[SNAP] is supposed to be nutrition,” Kennedy said. “It’s not supposed to be food-like substances that are actually poisoning us ... but it takes a lot of courage to stand up to these companies the same way that it did to stand up to Big Tobacco.” The American Beverage Association, which represents drink manufacturers, said in a statement, “SNAP restrictions won’t make anyone healthier or save taxpayer dollars.” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has indicated that she supports letting states implement a ban on the use of food stamps for soda. “I look forward to receiving Governor Morrisey’s SNAP pilot request and will work swiftly to make certain West Virginia is equipped with the technical assistance and expertise to move forward,” Rollins said in a statement. In fiscal year 2023, SNAP served an average of 42 million Americans per month, or 12 percent of the U.S. population, according to the USDA.

Pay for your own junk food...