A Republican state lawmaker has brought a bill that would bar SNAP recipients from using their benefits on fast food.
While federal law generally prohibits SNAP fast food purchases, Arizona gives exceptions for those who are unhoused or can’t prepare food for themselves.
Rep. Teresa Martinez sponsored the bill, saying she believes most SNAP fast food purchases come from people not covered under the exception. That is despite the USDA saying EBT cards without approval would be denied any such purchases automatically.
State director for AARP Dana Kennedy says while she understands wanting SNAP benefits being used on nutritional food, there are many factors at play.
“Policymakers should also support nutrition incentives in SNAP that encourage healthy eating without unreasonably restricting food choice," Kennedy said.
An effort last year to ban SNAP benefits from being used on sodas was vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs. Other states, like Indiana and Nebraska, successfully banned food stamps from being spent on sodas last year.
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For the last several years, there’s been an effort to give cities back some of their ability to regulate that market; the state generally took it away in 2016.
