A new report from the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) urges states to eliminate subsidies for candy and sugary sodas which dominate the lion’s share of food stamp dollars while driving chronic disease.
The 42 million Americans who are enrolled in food stamps could be spending nearly twice as much on sweetened beverages than fruit with candy, sugary drinks, and desserts exceeding purchases of fruits and vegetables combined by more than $400 million a year, as suggested by the FGA report based in part on a 2016 government study that has not been re-run.
“Soda and candy are among the top food commodities purchased with food stamps. Our tax dollars should fund better nutrition, not fuel the obesity epidemic,” Paige Terryberry, senior research fellow at the Foundation for Government Accountability, said in a statement to The Federalist. “If states and Congress cut out the junk from food stamps, they can improve the physical and fiscal health of our nation.”
Poster Comment:
Should include potato chips, all cakes. (Salt too, not just sugar.)