Governor Mike Kehoe is considering ways to 'reform' Missouri's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to promote healthier food choices among beneficiaries. This follows a failed attempt in the House to ban soda and candy from the program.
While a House committee rejected a similar bill, the Senate showed more receptiveness towards a bill proposed by Senator Rick Brattin, which aims to restrict the purchase of sugary drinks and sweets using SNAP benefits. The bill faces opposition from various groups including soda manufacturers and consumer advocates, who argue against government intrusion into food choices and potential economic repercussions.
Implementing restrictions on SNAP would involve updating the state's software, incurring an estimated cost of $30 million. The debate over restricting food purchases with SNAP benefits has a long history, dating back to the program's creation in 1964, with previous attempts facing similar resistance.
Unlike past administrations, the current leadership of the USDA appears more open to such restrictions, evidenced by their positive response to similar waivers from other states.