Trump’s Team Is Reportedly Interested In Banning Junk Food Purchases For 41 Million SNAP Users, And People Are Calling It “Condescending” And “Impractical”
Trump officials are reportedly interested in banning junk food purchases for millions who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Person in suit next to Skittles candy display in store
Of course, there’s already support for the idea from newly confirmed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “The one place that I would say that we need to really change policy is the SNAP program and food stamps and in-school lunches,” RFK Jr. said in a Fox News interview. “There, the federal government, in many cases, is paying for it. And we shouldn’t be subsidizing people to eat poison.”
A person in a suit stands in a kitchen with various cereal and snack boxes in front. The word “INNOCENTLY” appears at the bottom
For context, SNAP benefits helped 41 million access food last year, with 62% of SNAP users including families with children. In 2024, users received an average of $192 per month for each household member. These benefits exclude access to alcohol, tobacco, and hot meals, per the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.
Sign on a freezer door reads: “We accept SNAP food stamp program cards, aceptamos tarjetas SNAP, supplemental nutrition assistance program.”
A 2024 report from the US Department of Agriculture (the department that runs SNAP) found that for SNAP households, 26% of expenditures went for candy/sweets, compared to 30.5% for non-SNAP households.
Store display with various M&M’s chocolate bags on the top shelf and assorted Coca-Cola and Sprite cans lined up below
While, 61% of expenditures for sweetened beverages went to SNAP households, compared to 51% for non-SNAP households.
People online are debating whether a potential ban on junk food for SNAP users is an overreach by the government or a positive change to encourage healthier eating. Here’s what they’re saying:
1.This user viewed the potential junk food ban as “weird” for “targeting poor people specifically.”
Tweet discusses state control on food purchases for those on food stamps, questioning the policy’s focus on poor people’s buying choices
2.This person brought up former first lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to make healthy food more accessible, which was widely opposed by the right.
Tweet by @Statesman: “But people lost their minds when Michelle Obama tried to get healthier foods in schools. You are not serious people.”
3.This former food pantry worker shared their thoughts:
Tweet about empathy, highlighting the emotional impact of telling a mother there’s no cake mix for her child’s birthday
4.This person expressed support for the potential ban on junk food, but pointed out that healthy food options need to be more affordable in general.
Tweet by Big Virgo: “I’m not mad at this, but also make healthy foods more affordable & accessible.”
5.Another person shared their view that the government just wants “poor people to be miserable.”
Tweet criticizing restrictions on purchasing hot food with food stamps, expressing frustration over the difficulties faced by low-income individuals
6.This person pointed out that those living on the streets don’t have secure places to store “healthy” food options:
Tweet discussing lack of shelter and food deserts, highlighting issues like long travel times to grocery stores for people without homes
7.This person who says they grew up on food stamps called the potential ban “fucking insane.”
Tweet criticizing food bans and lack of affordable healthy food, expressing anger at policies affecting low-income individuals
8.This person said that their childhood birthday cakes were bought with food stamps.
Tweet by user: “Chill my momma got all our bday cakes w food stamps.”
9.This person argues that taxpayer dollars shouldn’t contribute to “disease-causing” foods.
Tweet by Max Lugavere discussing that government assistance shouldn’t be used to buy unhealthy foods like sodas and chips
10.This person points out that decisions on food stamps are oftentimes made by those with no personal experience using food stamps.
Tweet by John Porritt: “People who never had to depend on food stamps always get to decide what Food Stamps cover.”
11.This person describes the policy as “good in theory” but “condescending in practice.”
Tweet criticizing government’s restrictive food policies, highlighting negative impacts on low-income groups and suggesting healthier alternatives
12.This person shared their personal experience with food stamps as a child:
Tweet by user Niccoya: “The only reason why I was able to have birthday parties as a kid is due to food stamps. America really hates children.”
13.This person who says they grew up on food stamps supports the potential ban.
Tweet expressing support for limiting “junk food” purchases for those on food stamps, based on personal experience with poverty
14.This person pointed out that some EBT users with health conditions need foods with sugar to survive.
Tweet by @uselessrefuse about the medical necessity of sugary foods for insulin-dependent diabetics to prevent seizures and comas
15.And finally, this person advocated for the government to take all unhealthy junk food off of the market for everyone.
Tweet criticizing unequal access to unhealthy food, stating the issue is classism rather than health, and suggesting its market removal
What are your thoughts? Is this potential ban a good idea or a terrible one? Let us know in the comments below.
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