Should SNAP benefits exclude sodas and other sugary drinks?
I'm curious for people to weigh in on this topic. Currently the government spends $80BN on SNAP and over $2BN is used to purchase sodas and related drinks.
DietID_TeamDietitians
8yr
I've been waiting for confirmation on this stat. It's a huge amount of money and the sad part is that these soda companies are getting $2bn in revenue from the government. I see the point that creating more constraints on food stamps is problematic, but I think the restriction just on beverages, which don't provide any satiety, is ok. But to make this fair, we need to improve access to fresh and healthy food in lower income neighborhoods.
MrsXtina
8yr
I have a lot of thoughts on this topic, as I grew up as a child on food stamps, before there were so many other uses for the funds. The options were so limiting and the access to GOOD food was just not there. There definitely needs to be a change on the allocation of funds. Relocating for work ~6 years ago, I had moved to a lower income neighborhood and in driving past fast-food locations, "liquor stores" (the CA equivalent to a bodega), and pizza spots, signs would read, "EBT Accepted" and I had to wrap my head around that. Instead of promoting soda, pizza, burgers, and other types of non-nutritionally positive options, the opposite should be encouraged. In our Green Market, I do see signage around Food Stamps being accepted, which is great! We need more of that in the country. Let's start with sugary drinks and sodas!
darkchocolatepeanutbutter
8yr
I don't think they should exclude soda in SNAP but I don't think $2 billion dollars should be used to purchase them. I agree with @MrsXtina that greenmarkets should accept EBT more frequently. People on SNAP should be able to experience buying food at a farmer's market like everyone else.
sugardetoxme
8yr
I read that SNAP benefits will soon be taken online, so let's see if that opens up more options too
"Kristen Beddard @KristenBeddard is the queen of kale in France—she reintroduced kale to French farmers! One thing led to another, and The Kale Project is now a bi-lingual blog that teaches about k...