Tennessee Deputy Speaker Pushes Legislation to Limit SNAP Benefits for Junk Food: What It Means for Families

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Jason Zachary, a representative from Knoxville, has introduced a new bill to ban junk food purchases through Tennessee’s SNAP program. This initiative aims to limit what low-income families can buy with government help.

This proposal aligns with a growing push at the federal level. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services, along with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, supports restricting sugary snacks and drinks from SNAP. The goal is to improve nutrition for those who rely on this assistance.

The Tennessee SNAP Act aims to ask for a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If granted, Tennessee could stop using SNAP benefits for items like candy and soda. Zachary believes that these products offer little nutritional value, stating, “The purpose of SNAP is to provide food security and nutrition to low-income Americans.” He emphasizes that this approach would help ensure public funds are spent wisely.

However, implementing such a ban is not straightforward. According to Katie Bergh, a senior policy analyst, previous efforts to limit SNAP food options have faced challenges. Defining what qualifies as “junk food” can be costly and complicated. Nevertheless, Zachary assures that his legislation includes a plan for enforcement using existing point-of-sale systems. He also mentions providing education on healthier choices for SNAP recipients.

Despite good intentions, many past attempts to change what SNAP covers have failed, regardless of the presidential administration. Critics argue that restricting food options further limits the autonomy of low-income families. Gina Plata-Nino, from the Food Research and Action Center, expressed concern that such measures unfairly stigmatize those in need.

Interestingly, a USDA report shows that sweetened beverages and prepared desserts rank among the top items purchased by SNAP recipients. On average, these families receive about $187 monthly, which breaks down to roughly $6 a day. Both SNAP and non-SNAP households show similar purchasing patterns for these items.