Crossposted on 43rd State Blues
I regularly have my community college students contact public officials with questions. Here is an interesting exchange between a student and Senator Mike Crapo, regarding an issue I have been following for many months.
Student Question: I think millions of dollars are wasted, by families spending food stamp money on chips, pop, candy and other unhealthy food. What do you think of the idea of running the food stamp program similarly to the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program? Vouchers could be issued for specific healthy food, based on nutritional requirements of each family member - so many pounds of protein, fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, and so on. I think this would save the government a lot of money in food stamps, and in health care, as people would have healthy food to eat, and not so much junk food.
Senator Crapo: I appreciate you sharing your suggestions for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as the federal food stamp program. As you know, SNAP beneficiaries can use food stamps to purchase all consumable food and food products, except alcoholic beverages and tobacco. This guideline is not without controversy and efforts to prohibit beneficiaries from purchasing candy and soft drinks with food stamps continue to increase.
On October 6, 2010, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg petitioned the USDA to restrict New York City SNAP beneficiaries from using food stamps to purchase soda and similar beverages. The ban would prohibit the purchase of beverages with more than 10 calories per eight ounces, but would allow juices with no added sugar as well as milk and milk substitutes. In 2004, the State of Minnesota petitioned the USDA to add candy and soft drinks to the list of items ineligible for food stamp purchases. The USDA denied Minnesota’s request in May 2004, stating that such restrictions would reinforce SNAP beneficiary stigmas and cause confusion and embarrassment at grocery store registers. Further, the USDA asserted that such restrictions would be unnecessary, citing evidence that food stamp beneficiaries make nutrition choices similar to non-beneficiaries.
As the administrator of SNAP, the USDA conducts its own research and makes the final decision on such issues. In the meantime, I will continue to support appropriate Congressional oversight to monitor issues related to food stamps, as well as other government programs to help ensure public accountability for USDA policies.
NOTE: We are awaiting several answers to student questions from Congressman Raul Labrador.