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3d ago

Texas Seeks USDA Approval to Restrict SNAP Purchases of Soda and Candy

Governor Greg Abbott has formally requested a federal waiver to limit the use of SNAP benefits for sugary and highly processed foods, aligning with pending state legislation aimed at promoting healthier food choices.

Twelve packs of Dr. Pepper soda are displayed on a shelf at a grocery store on June 03, 2024 in San Rafael, California.
A shopper who depends on California's SNAP benefits to help pay for food, shops for groceries at a supermarket in Bellflower, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. 
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The fresh produce section of a Brookshire Brothers grocery store in Buffalo on June 29, 2023.

Overview

  • Governor Greg Abbott submitted a formal waiver request to the USDA to prohibit the purchase of soda and candy using SNAP benefits in Texas.
  • The proposed restrictions align with Senate Bill 379, which has passed the state Senate and awaits a vote in the Texas House of Representatives.
  • The waiver request is part of the federal 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative, led by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., encouraging states to promote healthier diets through SNAP reforms.
  • Critics, including anti-hunger advocates, argue the restrictions could limit recipient autonomy, complicate grocery budgets, and reduce retailer participation, particularly in areas with limited access to healthy food options.
  • Texas joins a growing number of states, including Iowa, Arkansas, Indiana, and Nebraska, in pursuing similar waivers to limit SNAP purchases of sugary and highly processed foods.