A new bill introduced by Iowa House Republicans last week could drastically cut the types of food that people in the state can buy using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a form of federal food assistance for low-income people. Recipients can use SNAP benefits to purchase a variety of items at the store, including fruits, vegetables, meat, bread, snacks and more.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service administers the SNAP program. The new bill, introduced on January 11, proposes that Iowa get a waiver from the USDA to limit the food that can be purchased with SNAP benefits in the state. The USDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from HuffPost.
The proposed waiver would limit SNAP purchases to items that appear on the list of state-approved foods for a different federal initiative, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Also known as WIC, the program provides food assistance to pregnant women, new mothers and young children, and is more limited than SNAP.
“Iowans on SNAP will not be able to buy meat, flour, butter, cooking oil, frozen prepared foods,” Luke Elzinga, chairman of the nonprofit Iowa Hunger Coalition, told News Now Iowa. “It’s a big list.”
In place of fresh meat, canned salmon and tuna will be allowed, according to Iowa’s approved WIC food list. In addition to pantry staples like flour and oil, other prohibited items include canned soup and sliced cheese. Only brown rice, and not white, is allowed, and shoppers must replace white bread and pasta with 100% whole-grain versions.
The Iowa Hunger Coalition slammed the bill in a statement, saying it “restricts the ability of SNAP participants to make their own food choices, takes food away from Iowans, and increases hunger and food insecurity in our state.”
In addition to limiting eligible meals, the bill would also impose a number of restrictions, making it harder for people to qualify for SNAP.