SNAP cost of sweet stuff to taxpayers

[Packerland]

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allows recipients to purchase a wide range of food items, including sugary beverages like soda. Studies have examined the extent of SNAP funds spent on such beverages.

A 2016 report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that sweetened beverages, including soda, were among the most commonly purchased items by SNAP households, accounting for about 10% of their food expenditures.

In fiscal year 2023, federal SNAP spending totaled $112.8 billion.
Based on the USDA's 2016 finding that approximately 10% of SNAP benefits are used to purchase sugary beverages, it can be estimated that around $11.28 billion of SNAP funds were spent on such beverages in fiscal year 2023.

It's important to note that spending patterns can vary over time and among different households. Additionally, there have been discussions and proposals to restrict the purchase of sugary drinks with SNAP benefits to promote healthier eating habits. Well Duh

 

[annon123]

Why is this posted in the senior forum? Are you suggesting that only "healthy" foods should be allowed to be purchased with SNAP? If you are going to ban any sweetened drink (which would include many fruit juices sold in the grocery store too) are you also going to ban any other unhealthy foods? That would mean no hotdogs, no sausage, no processed meat (that would include lunch meats), no ramon noodles (which many need to buy due to budget), no microwave dinners, etc.

Many seniors buy microwave dinners (processed food) because of ease of preparation and they are not up to cooking everything scratch. It gives them variety they wouldn't otherwise have (nothing much is sold anymore in portions of one or two). Some of them can't cook from scratch due to disabilities or it is not safe for them to use a stove because they can forget to turn it off and cause a fire but it is safe for them to use a microwave.

Our entire society has a problem with soda pop. When you have an entire aisle, both sides, out of about 14 or so aisles dedicated that in the grocery store you know there is a society problem.