Restrictions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will go into effect Wednesday, limiting SNAP recipients’ ability to buy candy and sugary drinks in Texas.
The changes are the result of Senate Bill 379, signed into law last summer and aimed at promoting healthier food choices among SNAP recipients. The bill passed with bipartisan support, though some Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about access to food in areas where healthy options are scarce.
Recipients will no longer be able to use their SNAP benefits to buy candy, gum, candied nuts and fruit, and drinks that contain over 5 grams of added sugar. The new law allows for the purchase of dairy and milk substitutes, fruit concentrates and medical-grade electrolyte drinks.
SNAP benefits can still be used to purchase meat, fish and poultry; fruits, vegetables and garden seeds; bread and cereal; and snacks such as popcorn and granola bars.
SNAP benefits are available for low-income households to help them purchase essential groceries. Nearly 14% of Bexar County households receive SNAP benefits, according to the Texas Tribune, and some of the highest rates of SNAP use are located in South Texas counties.
The proposed changes were approved in August by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service through a healthy foods waiver, allowing states to carry out the limitations.
Part of that waiver requires Texas to survey SNAP recipients before and after the changes to determine if the restrictions are leading to healthier food choices.
The bill was one of three filed under Gov. Greg Abbott’s “Make America Healthy Again” legislation last year.
