Louisiana Moves to Ban Candy and Soda Purchases with SNAP Benefits in Push for Healthier Eating

Louisiana is taking steps to stop people from buying sweets and sodas with SNAP benefits, a government help program for people who don't have enough money to buy food. This idea has already been considered by two other states.

SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps millions of Americans afford food. In Louisiana, it supports 12% of the population, which equals 847,100 people in 2024.

Normally, SNAP lets people buy any food except for alcohol, tobacco, and hot meals ready to eat right away. However, since 2017, some states with Republican leadership have been trying to stop SNAP benefits from being used to buy unhealthy foods like candy and sugary drinks.

Louisiana's Governor, Jeff Landry, signed an order to stop people from using SNAP benefits to buy soda and candy. While the order doesn't list every single item that can't be bought, it targets "soft drinks and candy" specifically.

The state's Department of Children and Family Services has to ask for special permission from the federal government to make these changes. The order also wants the department to help SNAP users choose healthier food options.

The reason for this order is to encourage healthier eating habits among Louisiana's residents, reduce the use of taxpayer money on soda, and decrease health problems caused by eating too much unhealthy food.

Read more: Nutrition and Mental Health: How the Right Foods Can Keep You Happy and Healthy

Other states like Arkansas and Idaho have also asked for permission to make similar changes, but the federal government hasn't decided yet.

Governor Landry said that if people want to eat junk food, they should pay for it themselves. He believes it's important to promote healthier lifestyle choices.

However, some experts argue that limiting what food people can buy with SNAP is a controlling move that doesn't solve the real problem: the high cost of healthy foods compared to junk foods.

Valerie Imbruce from Washington College believes that poor people can make healthy choices, but the price difference makes it hard for them to buy healthier foods.

Louisiana has until October 1 to submit their request for these changes to the federal government, which will then decide if the ban on buying sweets and sodas with SNAP benefits can happen.

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