KDSN Radio

(Iowa News Service) – Groups working to fight hunger in Iowa say proposed cuts to SNAP benefits would fall squarely on the state’s kids, who rely on them for food and other needs. State lawmakers are considering a measure that would limit what items SNAP recipients could buy. House File 970 would limit SNAP money to buying so-called “healthy” foods – grains, dairy, meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables, or other items considered necessary for good health.

Food Bank of Iowa’s Senior Manager of Food Acquisition and Advocacy, Emily Shearer said the change could have a dramatic effect on the one in six Iowa kids who face hunger. “If there are cuts to SNAP, children will be impacted, seniors will be impacted, those with disabilities will be impacted,” said Shearer. “So, the majority of people on SNAP that are able to work are working – it’s just not enough to make ends meet.”

Backers of the bill say they’re guarding against abuse of the program. If it is approved, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services would have to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to override the current list of foods and beverages SNAP recipients can currently buy. A 2016 USDA study found there are very few differences in the buying habits of families using SNAP and those who don’t.

Shearer said it’s been hard to counter the false claims that low-income Iowans have less healthy eating and buying habits or that they use their SNAP benefits to buy unhealthy items. “Nobody’s buying tobacco and alcohol with their SNAP benefits. They’re just not,” Shearer insisted. “But with SNAP restrictions the way they’re written currently, they’re so vague – there’s discussion that something like pasta sauce, or soup or jelly, are those going to be restricted? I don’t think anyone would define those as ‘junk food.'”

The USDA reports about 130,000 Iowans received SNAP benefits in 2024.