New Kansas Bill Proposes Ban on Using Food Stamps for Candy and Soda: What You Need to Know

In Kansas, a new bill aims to stop the use of food stamps for buying soda and candy. However, it’s uncertain if the federal government will allow this change.

Past attempts to change the rules have not succeeded. For instance, Maine’s request in 2018 was denied during Trump’s presidency. A representative from a conservative organization mentioned that attitudes are shifting under the current administration.

Senator Renee Erickson, who introduced the bill, explains that while people could still buy soda and candy, they wouldn’t be able to use taxpayer money for it. She leads a committee focused on government efficiency, inspired by Trump’s initiatives.

The proposed restrictions would apply to non-alcoholic soft drinks with sweeteners but allow for drinks containing milk and more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice. Candy is defined as sugary treats without flour.

Interestingly, popular candy bars like Kit Kat and Twix wouldn’t be included in the ban since they contain flour. Drinks that are primarily fruit juice will also remain eligible for purchase.

A representative from the Opportunity Solutions Project noted that soda is the top purchase for food stamp users. A 2016 USDA report indicated that households using food stamps spent slightly more on soft drinks compared to those who didn’t.

Food stamp households primarily spend on meat, poultry, and seafood, followed by sweetened beverages. A lobbyist pointed out the difficulty for needy families to buy healthy food, which often costs more.

Currently, about 384,000 people in Kansas deal with hunger, including over 131,000 children. The proposed bills also raised concerns about high-sugar food manufacturing and the issue of food deserts, which they don’t address.

Kansas already has restrictions on food stamps, with eligibility lasting only two years in a lifetime. Previous changes reduced the maximum assistance periods for families in need.

As the bills sit in committee, a similar proposal failed in the House last year, leaving many questions on the future of food stamp spending in Kansas.