Gov. Reynolds Issues Statement on Federal District Court Ruling Against Healthy SNAP

Gov. Reynolds today issued the following statement after a federal district court judge in Washington D.C. blocked five states, including Iowa, approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to align SNAP benefits with nutrition.

“For decades, the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has fallen short of its original intent to provide low-income families with affordable access to nutritious food. With a broad definition of eligible foods—one that excludes only alcohol, tobacco, and hot foods—taxpayers are subsidizing so-called nutrition benefits that today include soft drinks and candy while 40% of American adults and 20% of children are obese,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “I’m proud that Iowa is among the states leading the type of SNAP reforms necessary to promote better nutrition, health, and well-being. The changes proposed aren’t a mandate—SNAP members can choose what they want, but the state won’t pay for unhealthy foods. The court’s decision is short-sighted and does nothing to improve the health of our country. In the meantime, Iowa will continue to work on our plan to do exactly that.”