Critics of the restrictions are concerned with the bouts of confusion, contingent on the state with some feeling it could drive the numbers down of people who participate in the program.
Like, what is junk food exactly?
It can be hard to define. Baked goods, such as cookies, cakes, and even protein bars, can fall into this category — depending on the state. In Indiana, the new rules only ban candy and soda, so if a food stamp recipient wants to buy items like Oreos or Goldfish, they can.
The same goes for protein bars, which can also be purchased with food stamps in states like Iowa, and which have the same amount of sugar as chocolate-covered nuts or a candy bar. EBT cards can be swiped for very sugary canned coffee — as long as it has milk.
Food stamps purchases are determined by the state, depending on how food is taxed. In Iowa, recipients can use their EBT cards for a slice of cake but not a fruit cup that comes with a spoon.
Critics of the restrictions are concerned with the bouts of confusion, contingent on the state. Some feel it could drive down the number of people who participate in the program.
“Singling out people who receive SNAP, policing their shopping carts, and delaying their purchases at the register would inevitably decrease participation rates,” claims an essay in Georgetown University’s Journal on Poverty Law & Policy.
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Source: Black Enterprise
