Buying Junk Food With Food Stamps May Be Banned In Florida

According to Florida state Senator Ronda Storms, taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for the junk food habits of impoverished Americans.

Unlike most people, who may shake their heads in disapproval when they see someone paying for a cart full of processed foods with food stamps, Storms used her position to take decisive action. She sponsored a bill that would prohibit Floridians from purchasing “nonstaple, unhealthy foods” with funds provided by the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

Storms, who is a mother of four, feels that at a time when Florida is cutting jobs and funding for many public health and assistance programs it’s wrong for people to indulge in sugary, fatty, highly-processed treats on the public dime.

“If we’re going to be cutting services across the board,” Storms told the LA Times, “then people can live without potato chips, without store-bought cookies, without their sodas.”

Storms also cited health concerns for impoverished individuals as a major motivator behind the bill, which was recently approved by the committee on child and elderly affairs that she chairs. A recent survey by the Center for Disease Control found that about one-third of U.S. adults (33.8%) are obese, while approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese.

Highly-processed foods and beverages containing large percentages of sugar and fat have been directly linked to America’s obesity epidemic, yet the USDA has been reluctant to create health-based restrictions on what can and cannot be purchased with food stamps.

Florida’s proposed legislation is only the latest in a rapidly growing number of local governments attempting to restrict food stamp purchases. Critics of these laws say that they unfairly restrict food choices for those who are poor.

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Image Credit: Flickr – USDAgov

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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ii q.

12:02PM PDT on May 13, 2012

just give them the nutritious food; forget food stamps...

send a green star

12:00PM PDT on May 13, 2012

good idea...

Sheri P.

11:50AM PST on Feb 16, 2012

i couldn't agree more. food stamps should only be allowed to be used on healthful whole foods, not junk food. not only are whole, unprocessed foods better for your body, but they make you feel full longer (more satisfied), and are cheaper than processed foods. Not to mention all the packaging that comes with processed foods which is bad for the environment.

Jamie C.

9:21AM PST on Feb 16, 2012

In the late 70's, I worked at a grocery store. Processed foods were taxed back then. Taxable food items could not be paid for using food stamps. So, if someone was using food stamps, we had to ring up their sodas, cookies, chips, candy, bakery goods, etc. seperately from their real food items. They had to pay for those luxury items themselves. It made sense to me then and still does. The government shouldn't be paying for unnecessary items for people. Food stamps should only cover REAL food, not imitations.

Danuta W.

2:06AM PST on Feb 15, 2012

Thanks for this article.

Lee W.

7:32PM PST on Feb 14, 2012

The Republicans want to demean recipients of any social assistance. I've read the stupidity of some who post through C2 that don't realize that while Clinton was in office, welfare reform was passed so free-loaders could no longer just sit on their butts and do nothing; they had to get out and get a job. There are people who simply need a hand and some time to get on their feet and I find it appalling the discrimination against those who need that help. I am not making much right now, but I will always try to help whenever I can but it is often those who can most afford to help, that do not.

Little A.

7:06PM PST on Feb 14, 2012

....My son grows up to be a major hater of our Government. I worry about this, I try to refocus him but even I can't help going overboard every once in a while. I just know we have to leave when we can, then I'll never look back at this forsaken place again. Find some rest and hope in the people around me, as for some reason, they do in me too. Then, I'll find something to do. Just one chance then.
But first, make it to the finish line without going on food stamps. Without others telling me how to live my life.

7:05PM PST on Feb 14, 2012

Ok, I don't live in Florida or on food stamps. Not yet.
The last two years a lot has worsened in Holland. I barely make it though am perfectly capable of formulating a phrase to find information I can use. My son never eats junk-food and I trice a year but I had to cut a lot back on biological foods. It cuts like a knife.
I remember clearly my officials had trouble with me spending money on an more ecologically sound washing machine instead of a energy and waterdrainer, As if I had the cash to prolong my washing machine bill...it's like being forced to pollute this Earth. They don't trust me because I can still survive without food stamps, overburdened by debts. I spend time and energy on this, I make a lot myself from basic material, I stumble the market. I benefit of sales.
I would like to see a small biological club into existence as buying in bulk is cheaper but unattainable for me.
We have been surviving on mostly legumes, soup to make it through the winter, especially this winter is hard. I have a lot of trouble with my officials, nothing goes easy and everything gets audited, red-taped. As sufferer of PTSD this only aggravates and leaves me no room for improvement. I'm constantly fighting to keep my head above, to be as independent as possible, to remain sane and support my child. We have nobody that helps us out in any way and everybody, if they only knew I live off welfare, condemns me for being lazy.
My son grows up to be a major hater of our Government. I

Beth M.

4:53PM PST on Feb 14, 2012

I live in Florida & my 1st job was a cashier, and we weren't able to sell sodas, candies, prepared deli food (can't remember some of the other food items) to food stamp recipients. One thing I absolutely was appalled at, and not sure what the law is now, but they couldn't buy any paper products either. Not even toilet paper!!

10:47AM PST on Feb 14, 2012

rice which was under 11.00 and a big container of mixed dry beans for under 6.00. These staples will last quite a long time and when I look at the price of a small box of rice at the grocery store for 3.00, I feel the 12.00 has saved me a lot of money.