Subsidized soda

Food stamp recipients in Idaho won’t be leaving the grocery store with soda or candy anymore under a bill Republican Gov. Brad Little signed April 15. The measure requires the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to request a waiver from the federal government granting the state permission to remove soda and candy from the list of foods consumers can purchase through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Several states—including Iowa, Arkansas, and Indiana—had passed or were considering similar food stamp rules. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged to approve SNAP waiver requests during a late March visit to a West Virginia school, where Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed a letter indicating his intent to request a waiver before a crowd of cheering onlookers.

“I look forward to inviting every governor who submits a waiver to come celebrate with me at the White House this fall,” Kennedy said in a post on the social media platform X.

Critics argue that food stamp restrictions will strip welfare recipients of autonomy and dignity and may discourage grocery stores from accepting food stamps. But advocates of the change point out that lawmakers originally intended SNAP to support nutrition.

“Sugary beverages have no nutritional value,” said Angela Rachidi, a senior fellow at the American Enter­prise Institute. “It also does nothing to satisfy hunger.” While she sympathizes with critics who say lawmakers shouldn’t tell people what to eat, Rachidi noted grocery stores already accommodate commonsense food stamp restrictions such as prohibiting purchases of alcohol or paper goods.

In 2023, roughly 42 million Americans received SNAP benefits each month, equal to 12.6% of the population, according to government data. They spent the largest portion of their benefits on soft drinks.

Charley Gallay / Stringer / Getty Images

Food banks take a stock hit

Food banks across the country reported food delivery cancellations following Trump administration cuts to the Emergency Food Assistance Program, or TEFAP. Food Bank of Delaware President & CEO Cathy Kanefsky told The (Delaware) News Journal March 25 the U.S. Department of Agriculture had canceled 19 truckloads of food scheduled for delivery there.

The USDA purchases food through TEFAP and channels it to food banks, mostly through Feeding America. Earlier in March, USDA slashed two other programs that help schools, food banks, and other groups purchase food from local farms.

As of early April, the cuts had affected roughly 10% of the Virginia-based Blue Ridge Area Food Bank’s food supply. Spokesman Les Sinclair said the most essential items remained available and many of the local food pantries it supplies wouldn’t notice the loss.

A USDA spokesperson said the Trump administration is simply curtailing lavish spending under former President Joe Biden, who had expanded the programs. —A.O.