In the 1930’s, and then again in the 1960’s a program was enacted called food stamps. The original 1930’s program allowed people to purchase $1 in orange stamps and receive $.50 in blue stamps ("A Short History Of SNAP | Food And Nutrition Service", n.p.). Food stamps were ended after the depression ended because there no longer was a profound need for it. President Kennedy began the program again in the 1960’s; eventually laws were changed and those below poverty level could receive food stamps for free ("A Short History Of SNAP | Food And Nutrition Service", n.p.). Today it is known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. With SNAP there are very few limitations on what can be purchased. Another food assistance program called Women, Infants and Children (WIC) exists; with WIC, recipients are very limited on what they can purchase. Instead of being able to use SNAP benefits to purchase anything, including soda and junk foods, SNAP benefits should be more closely aligned with WIC benefits.
At this point it is easier to list what SNAP benefits cannot purchase than what SNAP benefits can purchase. SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, hot foods, food to be eaten in the store, vitamins, medicines and nonfood items such as toiletries ("Eligible Food Items | Food And Nutrition Service", n.p.). The 2008 Food and Nutrition Act “defines eligible food as any food or food product for home consumption and also includes seeds and plants which produce food for consumption by SNAP households” ("Eligible Food Items | Food And Nutrition Service", n.p.). This means soda, bakery cakes and even some energy drinks qualify as food that can be purchased with SNAP benefits. On the other hand, the WIC program only allows certain types and amounts of food to be purchased through their program. Foods like milk, cheese and beans make the list. The purpose of WIC is to ensure pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children five and under, are receiving the foods they need to be healthy and grow properly.
Ron Haskins says that there are three purposes to SNAP benefits, the first and most important of which is, “to increase the ability of the poor to purchase a nutritionally adequate, albeit low cost, diet” (Haskins, n.p.). If this is the case, then why should SNAP benefits be used to buy products like soda and cakes? Fifty-eight percent of beverages purchased in SNAP households are soda or other sugar laden drinks (Black, n.p.). According to Kelly Brownell, who is dean of the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University says, “The science linking soda to obesity and diabetes is rock-solid. The government should not be in the business of making people sick” (Black, n.p.). While there is little doubt soda leads to obesity and diabetes, unhealthy foods also contribute to the growing issue of obesity. In fact, low income families are just as likely to suffer from obesity as they are to be malnourished (Black, n.p.). Medical costs related to obesity in the United States has reached $190 billion per year; costs are higher when one considers employee sick days and production levels (Black, n.p.). The importance of eating healthy foods is the reason that SNAP benefits should be more like WIC benefits. In essence, by allowing SNAP benefits to be used to purchase sugary drinks and other fattening items, we are charging tax-payers twice. First to cover the costs of the food, second to cover medical costs related to obesity and diabetes. If limitations were placed upon what can be purchased with SNAP to healthy products, like WIC, then there would be a lot less issues with obesity.
While many states are beginning to see the issue with SNAP benefits being used to purchase junk foods, anti-hunger groups are fighting against making any changes. They make the claim that people on SNAP are fully capable of making their own nutritional choices (Black, n.p.). First, it should be noted that many of these anti-hunger groups receive funding from the very food companies who would suffer should changes be made to SNAP benefits (Black, n.p.). Secondly, it isn’t about questioning a person’s ability to choose what they eat; it is about their ability to choose what they eat when utilizing a government program. Should they want to purchase soda with their own funds, no one is stopping them, but the point of SNAP is to provide nutritional food, just like the WIC program. As supporters of the change point out, they are simply trying to promote healthy lifestyles (Chakraborty, n.p).
While WIC specifically targets women and children, the ideals behind it could easily be applied to SNAP benefits. It is important for all ages to eat balanced and healthy foods. While specifying certain amounts and types of food as WIC does may not be possible with SNAP benefits, making a list of foods that cannot be purchased is. By preventing SNAP recipients from being able to purchase sodas, sugar laden drinks, and junk foods, SNAP recipients will spend more on healthy foods. This would make SNAP benefits more resemble WIC benefits and also help recipients be much healthier.
Works Cited
"A Short History Of SNAP | Food And Nutrition Service". Fns.usda.gov. N.p., 2016. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
Black, Jane. "The Government Really, Really Wants To Tell People What To Buy With Their Food Stamps". Slate Magazine. N.p., 2016. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
Chakraborty,. "States Move To Pre-Approve Groceries That Can Be Bought With Food Stamps | Fox News". Fox News. N.p., 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
"Eligible Food Items | Food And Nutrition Service". Fns.usda.gov. N.p., 2016. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
Haskins, Ron. "Reflecting On SNAP: Purposes, Spending, And Potential Savings". The Brookings Institution. N.p., 2012. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
