Legislators Share Insights Into Proposed SNAP Changes At Saturday’s Forum

The Iowa Legislature is considering putting restrictions on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by removing soda. The Senate passed House File 970, or the Eligible Foods Bill, on March 27, which limits SNAP benefits to healthy foods and beverages. During last weekend’s Carroll Chamber of Commerce and Carroll County Growth Partnership (CCGP) Legislative Forum, one attendee, Barb Middendorf, said the legislature is planning to cut services to the most in-need Iowans.

District 6 Senator Jason Schultz (R-Schleswig) responded, saying that much of her claim is not happening, at least at the state level.

However, there is a bill in the legislature that requires the Human Health Services (HHS) Department to request a waiver from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to change the eligible foods under State administration of the benefits to only allow healthy foods and beverages. District 11 Rep. Craig Williams (R-Manning) says it is shocking how many SNAP resources are spent on junk.

According to the National Institute of Health, a study of a supermarket chain found that approximately 7% of grocery bills from SNAP users paid for soda as opposed to approximately 4% for non-SNAP users. The bill mandates that the HHS request a waiver from the USDA. Once the waiver is approved, the new food guidelines cannot be changed without new legislation.