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By Aliss Higham
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A proposal to limit what Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients can buy in Minnesota has stalled, after lawmakers rejected a measure at the committee stage that would have restricted purchases of certain snack foods and drinks.
Why It Matters
The decision means nearly half a million SNAP users in the state will not face new limits, at least for now. Minnesota has around 453,000 SNAP recipients, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.
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SNAP benefits are available nationwide and are intended to help households purchase food for home preparation, including staples such as fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy, as well as snack foods and nonalcoholic beverages. The program already excludes items like alcohol, tobacco and hot prepared meals.
While Minnesota’s effort has stalled, other states have successfully secured federal approval to impose additional limits on "junk food," a broad category typically including items high in sugar and fat but low in nutritional value.
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What To Know
The legislation sought to require Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families to apply for a federal waiver that would block SNAP funds from being used on items such as prepared foods, soft drinks and candy, subject to state tax rules.
However, after revisions, the measure failed to advance out of the House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee in a party-line vote on Tuesday.
Supporters framed the proposal as an effort to reinforce the program’s purpose.
"We’re hoping to ensure that people have a safety net, not a sweet treat," said Republican state Representative Bjorn Olson, who sponsored the bill.
But testimony during the hearing went over complications in how such restrictions would work in practice.
Critics of the bill argued that defining "junk food" is not as straightforward as it sounds. Pat Garofalo, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association, said the idea may appear appealing at first glance but becomes problematic under scrutiny, according to a report from the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Garofalo presented examples showing inconsistencies in how foods are taxed, and therefore how they would be treated under the proposal. A Kit Kat bar, for instance, contains wheat and is not taxed in Minnesota, meaning it would remain eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. By contrast, a prepackaged fruit cup with a utensil would be excluded.
"If Twizzlers are free for SNAP recipients because they do, in fact, have wheat in them, I guess I’m going to have to be OK with that. I also don’t have to be OK with doughnut holes," Olson said.
Retailers also warned of operational hurdles. Will Hagen, vice president of the Minnesota Retailers Association, said enforcing such distinctions at checkout would be burdensome. "This approach adds complexity, increases cost and creates confusion," he said.
There were also concerns raised over the fairness of the legislation. Democratic Representative Xp Lee said the bill would put "a squeeze on poor people, on those who are most vulnerable."
Waivers Approved Across States
While the bill hasn't made much headway in Minnesota, numerous other states have already received approval to ban candy and/or junk food from being purchased using SNAP.
To date, 22 states have approved waivers. They are Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Supporters of the restrictions argue the program should prioritize nutritious options, but critics have warned that tighter rules may not automatically lead to healthier diets, and that restrictions may penalize poor Americans.
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