Three states are moving to ban food stamp purchases of soda and candy as part of efforts to promote healthier food choices among SNAP beneficiaries. Advocates warn that these measures not only stigmatize low-income individuals but are unlikely to result in healthier eating habits. They point out that the real hindrance to healthy eating is the high cost of groceries, which has surged, leaving many recipients with no choice but to buy cheaper, calorie-dense foods. Walmart is consistently raising its prices, making healthy food hard to access.
"It's stigmatizing to say, 'You who are low income, we don't trust you to make the right choices,' said Gina Plata-Nino".
"Instead, she said, these states would be better off focusing on the biggest obstacle to healthy eating: the high cost of groceries, particularly the expense of fresh fruits and vegetables."
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