The federal government should stop subsidizing sugary drinks and junk food though food stamps.
A shopper calculates the cost of her groceries in her cart while shopping at ALDI in Binghamton, N.Y., on Dec. 5, 2019. The public health crisis of obesity is escalating. Eleven years ago, no state had an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35 percent, new data from theOne way to address the growing problem is to reform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps.
I can appreciate this concern. Public health experts would want the 20 cents out of every dollar spent on junk food to go toward vegetables, fruits, milk, whole grains and protein, but those motivated to slash government assistance programs might try to reduce SNAP benefits by 20 percent. This, of course, is not what Ludwig wants at all; in fact, he is pushing for the United States to end childhood hunger. But, as he emphasized, “the solution to hunger is not empty calories.
The second objection from anti-hunger groups is the issue of autonomy and dignity. Why should low-income individuals face restrictions in what they can buy, while those with means do not?This is perhaps the most compelling argument. Still, though, I find Ludwig’s counterargument to be convincing, which is that SNAP limitations don’t take away the right of low-income people to choose what they want.
Ultimately, whether SNAP should have more restrictions depends on what we believe its purpose should be. If it’s primarily about income assistance, then the dignity argument wins because people should use their money however they wish. But so long as the program has “nutrition” in its title, SNAP should deliver on this crucial mission and provide nutritious food that enhances health and well-being.
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