A NEW law on sugary drinks is set to drastically change SNAP benefits in one US state – and many warn of the financial burden it will bring.
The law change will dictate what SNAP recipients can and cannot spend their benefits on.
The law change will dictate what SNAP recipients can and cannot spend their benefits on[/caption]
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program supports roughly 147,000 West Virginian households, and this change will affect every last one of them.
In West Virginia, plans have been announced to prohibit SNAP benefits from being spent on soda drinks.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the plans that will come into effect at the beginning of 2026 for two years.
Five other states are also joining West Virginia, namely Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
The change comes as part of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to make America healthier.
He said: “For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy — products that fuel America’s diabetes and chronic disease epidemics.
“These waivers help put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health.
“I thank these governors who have stepped up to request waivers, and I encourage others to follow their lead.
“This is how we Make America Healthy Again.”
In the new law, the state defines soda drinks as “any carbonated non-alcoholic beverage that contains water, a sweetening agent, flavoring, and carbon dioxide gas to create carbonation.”
West Virginia is required to review the new law quarterly in the first year of its implementation.
STRONG CRITICISM
Several organizations have come out opposing the new law, however.
Traci Nelson, president of the West Virginia Oil Marketers and Grocers Association, believes it will do irreparable harm to businesses in the state.
She said: “The new requirements do place a significant financial burden on our members, because now they’re going to have to change their point-of-sale systems, and that can be anywhere from $1,000 to several thousand.
What are SNAP benefits?
Over 41 million people in America receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits each month.
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income households to help people get groceries.
Recipients get money on a debit card that can be used at grocery stores and farmers markets.
The amount of money distributed depends on several factors including how much money you make, how much money you receive from other benefits, and how many people are in your household.
The electronic benefits can help people buy food including food and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, and snacks.
You can’t use SNAP to buy alcohol, cigarettes, hot foods, or cooking utensils.
Source: USDA
“These little retailers are already running on really narrow margins as it is. So it can put quite a burden on them.
“I will tell you that that is probably going to be a really big problem for retailers on the borders.
“Because if they cross the border to purchase one thing, they’re going to purchase other things, right?
“They’re still gonna purchase those items one way or another.
“And so if they’re on a border and they cross over into Ohio or Pennsylvania or wherever, they’re going to buy other items as well.
“So our retailers are not only going to be losing the sales for the soft drinks and things, they’re probably going to be losing sales for the other grocery items as well.”
The organization Americans for Food and Beverage Choice also disagreed with the ruling.
The group commented: “Restricting what one segment of the population can buy at the grocery store just because they need temporary government assistance goes against American values.
“These proposals treat families and veterans as second-class citizens.
“In times like these, families don’t need one more person telling them what they can and cannot do.
“But more restrictions would put us on a slippery slope where bureaucrats get to annually decide which foods and beverages some Americans are allowed to serve their families.”
POLICY SUPPORT
Gov. Patrick Morrisey supported the initiative, claiming that it gives citizens in West Virginia “the power to change”.
He said: “I believe in telling the truth to the American people about where we are, because that’s going to make the rise all the more better when West Virginia is able to reach her potential and to get healthy again.
“The good news today is that we all have the power to change.”
Morrisey also pointed out that West Virginia is very healthy compared to other states.
West Virginia ranks at the bottom for many health indicators, including obesity and diabetes, according to Morrisey.
