Not enough committee appetite to prohibit SNAP purchases of chips, candy and Coke

It turns out a lot of candy contains wheat.

Legislators learned this as testifiers poked holes in a bill that attempts to prohibit the purchase of candy, chips and pop with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

“We’re hoping to ensure that people have a safety net, not a sweet treat,” said Rep. Bjorn Olson (R-Fairmont), who sponsors HF3603.

As amended, the bill failed to move forward via Tuesday’s party-line vote by the House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee.

Rep. Bjorn Olson

Specifically, the bill would direct the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to request a federal waiver to ban the purchase of prepared food, soft drinks and candy that’s taxable in Minnesota using SNAP.

Pat Garofalo, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association, said it’s “one of those things that sounds like a good idea, but in practicality, when we drill into the specifics of it, it’s not."

Garofalo brought legislators multiple “treats” he used to show that the bill might not do what it intended.

He held up a Kit Kat candy bar, calling it “a very tasty item you would assume would be unavailable for purchase under the bill.” But, because a Kit Kat bar contains wheat, it is not taxed in the state and would still be eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. Meanwhile, a cup of fruit with a spoon included would not be eligible because it’s prepackaged.

“If Twizzlers are free for SNAP recipients because they do, in fact, have wheat in them, I guess I’m going to have to be OK with that. I also don’t have to be OK with donut holes,” Olson said.

This bill could also burden retailers by requiring new differentiation measures at the checkout line, said Will Hagen, vice president of the Minnesota Retailers Association. “This approach adds complexity, increases cost and creates confusion.”

Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega (DFL-St. Paul) pointed out that SNAP recipients are also taxpayers and some recipients may have medical conditions that require access to sugar to spike blood sugar.

Rep. Xp Lee (DFL-Brooklyn Park) calls the bill discriminatory.

“I see you putting a squeeze on poor people, on those who are most vulnerable.”