Gov. Huckabee Sanders calls for ban on junk food in SNAP program

In a recent statement, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders advocated for significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). She addressed the incoming Trump administration and expressed concern about the impact of junk food purchases on public health, stating that the program allocates a substantial amount of funds to items that contribute to obesity and other health issues. The SNAP program costs around $113 billion annually, with nearly $25 billion spent on sugary drinks, candy, and desserts, which together account for approximately 23 percent of all SNAP expenditures. Sanders referenced a study from Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and his team at Stanford University, which indicated that removing sugary drinks and sodas from the program could prevent obesity in 141,000 children and Type 2 diabetes in 240,000 adults. This evidence underpins her argument that the current SNAP guidelines are not adequately fulfilling the program's intent to provide nutritional support for low-income families. Instead, it unintentionally subsidizes unhealthy eating habits while using taxpayer money. To address this issue, Sanders expressed her commitment to collaborating with the incoming administration to create a SNAP Waiver. This waiver would facilitate a shift toward supporting the purchase of healthy foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, and protein sources. By moving away from junk food, she argued that SNAP could not only improve public health outcomes but also bolster local farmers and the agricultural community overall. In her concluding remarks, Sanders called for a united effort to enhance the program’s focus on nutritious foods, emphasizing that ensuring access to healthy options aligns with the administration's broader health objectives for America. She affirmed her dedication to working towards a healthier future for Arkansas families and the nation as a whole.