U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) questioned the FRAC SNAP policy director on the use of government benefits to purchase sugary drinks and other junk food products.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides electronic benefits to eligible low-income households for the purchase of food at authorized retailers. The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) is a nonprofit organization focused on anti-hunger advocacy and policies related to nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP.
During a hearing Thursday, Gill questioned Gina Plata-Nino, FRAC’s director of SNAP policy, on recent policy changes.
In recent months, the USDA has approved waivers requested by multiple states to restrict SNAP purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages and candy. A federal district court ruling by Judge Amy Berman Jackson has affected the implementation of some of these restrictions in states including Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
Gill questioned Plata-Nino regarding SNAP policy on beverages and the funding sources of her organization. “Should SNAP dollars be spent on sodas?” Gill asked, at which point Plata-Nino gave a boilerplate response about the purpose of SNAP.
“I am happy to talk about hunger and nutrition, but not dictate what Americans should or should not eat or may have access to,” she said after a similar follow-up question.
“I’m asking if tax dollars should be used to pay for sodas,” Gill persisted, to which Plata-Nino responded with, “Taxpayers money should be utilized to ensure that individuals have access to the food that they need to survive or maybe accessible to them.”
When asked whether individuals needed sodas to survive, the director stated that some individuals may have low blood sugar issues, essentially saying yes. “They need Coca-Cola to survive? Do you think that’s the most appropriate use of our tax dollars?” Gill followed up.
The director continued to refuse to say whether sodas and sugary drinks were necessary for survival as the back-and-forth continued.
