Missouri Republicans are trying to push for legislation that would limit the types of food that can be purchased by those who are a part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Specifically, the legislation is looking to eliminate steak, seafood, cookies and energy drinks from being available for purchase ?with SNAP.
Although it is understandable why sugary drinks and food should not be purchased with government-issued money, eliminating steak and seafood takes this issue too far.
The government should be encouraging the consumption of healthy food, especially with those who are in the ?low-income bracket.
Rates of obesity in America have doubled since 1980. This might be due to the promotion and availability of food and drinks with high amounts of sugar ?and sodium.
For this reason, it is a step in the right direction for the government to eliminate those unhealthy foods from being purchased with SNAP.
Although it restricts what families can buy, it might encourage them to purchase healthier food.
However, the part of the legislation that will eliminate steak and seafood from being purchased is not a way to promote healthy eating.
Some might argue these foods should not be available for purchase with SNAP because people who cannot afford to purchase their own food should not use government benefits for buying “luxury” food.
This argument is a bad representation of those who do receive food stamps.
It makes it look as if all SNAP beneficiaries are using the program for the sole purpose of taking advantage of it.
During the recession, my father lost his job and had to apply for food stamps. We remained on the program for a few years.
It was not because he wanted free food; it was because we were in such a difficult place with our finances that if we did not have this program to lean on, we would have starved.
If it is true that some people who receive SNAP benefits simply want it to buy steak and seafood, there is no reason to be upset.
They obviously meet all the qualifications to receive help from the program. We should not be upset that they are purchasing ?healthy food.
Steak contains a lot of nutrition we need such as iron, zinc, protein and B vitamins.
Seafood is also packed with nutrition we need and can prevent future heart issues, something that benefits our entire country, not just the poor.
We should try to limit the unhealthy food SNAP beneficiaries are able to purchase for the sake of their health.
However, because steak and seafood provide many healthy benefits, there is no reason we should not allow beneficiaries of SNAP to purchase it.
It seems unreasonable to not support the purchase of healthy food.
eshrack@indiana.edu
