Montpelier, Vermont - March 15, 2011
In most grocery stores today, low-income Vermonters receiving food stamps can pretty much buy any kind of food they want; soda, potato chips, candy-- all what many would consider junk food.
"Improved health, nutritional outcomes for Vermonters-- particularly low-income Vermonters," said Rep. Oliver Olsen, R-Jamaica.
Olsen is one of a bipartisan group of 18 lawmakers sponsoring a resolution that would urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow Vermont to develop its own list of acceptable foods.
"If we're going to be expending public money on food items that are contributing to the rising cost of health care-- more specifically health care that's funded through Vermont state tax dollars-- I think Vermont has a particular interest in better managing the program," Olsen said.
Under the current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, recipients in a family of four can spend up to $668 a month. They aren't allowed to buy nonfood items like alcohol, tobacco, soap, toothpaste and pet food. Olsen says that if the program was also limited to nutritious foods, the state would encourage healthier choices and reduce health care costs shouldered by taxpayers.
The Vermont Food Bank in Barre distributes thousands of tons of food it receives across the state to local food shelves and other programs. About 60 percent of their clients also use food stamps. Officials there say any state effort to mandate what people eat is a mistake.
"Limiting food choices is not the way to help people make better food choices. If we're going to limit food choices for just people who are low income it really sets us back as far the work we've done to reduce the stigma of the program," said Judy Stermer of the Vermont Food Bank.
The proposed resolution got a mixed reaction from shoppers we spoke with in Barre.
"I just personally think that the people should be more responsible and realize what foods they're giving to their children and they should take more responsibility on trying to help the child go towards the healthier foods, but I don't think it should be a law," said Amanda Hickory of Montpelier.
"I think it's better to eat more healthy. They're trying to promote weight loss in overweight people. I think it's a good idea," said Corinne Munson of Barre Town.
A similar measure to limit foods failed in New York last year. It's too early to tell if Vermont's version has the support to be heard in Washington, D.C.
More than 45,000 households in Vermont make use of food assistance.
Alexei Rubenstein - WCAX News
In most grocery stores today, low-income Vermonters receiving food stamps can pretty much buy any kind of food they want; soda, potato chips, candy-- all what many would consider junk food.
"Improved health, nutritional outcomes for Vermonters-- particularly low-income Vermonters," said Rep. Oliver Olsen, R-Jamaica.
Olsen is one of a bipartisan group of 18 lawmakers sponsoring a resolution that would urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow Vermont to develop its own list of acceptable foods.
"If we're going to be expending public money on food items that are contributing to the rising cost of health care-- more specifically health care that's funded through Vermont state tax dollars-- I think Vermont has a particular interest in better managing the program," Olsen said.
Under the current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, recipients in a family of four can spend up to $668 a month. They aren't allowed to buy nonfood items like alcohol, tobacco, soap, toothpaste and pet food. Olsen says that if the program was also limited to nutritious foods, the state would encourage healthier choices and reduce health care costs shouldered by taxpayers.
The Vermont Food Bank in Barre distributes thousands of tons of food it receives across the state to local food shelves and other programs. About 60 percent of their clients also use food stamps. Officials there say any state effort to mandate what people eat is a mistake.
"Limiting food choices is not the way to help people make better food choices. If we're going to limit food choices for just people who are low income it really sets us back as far the work we've done to reduce the stigma of the program," said Judy Stermer of the Vermont Food Bank.
The proposed resolution got a mixed reaction from shoppers we spoke with in Barre.
"I just personally think that the people should be more responsible and realize what foods they're giving to their children and they should take more responsibility on trying to help the child go towards the healthier foods, but I don't think it should be a law," said Amanda Hickory of Montpelier.
"I think it's better to eat more healthy. They're trying to promote weight loss in overweight people. I think it's a good idea," said Corinne Munson of Barre Town.
A similar measure to limit foods failed in New York last year. It's too early to tell if Vermont's version has the support to be heard in Washington, D.C.
More than 45,000 households in Vermont make use of food assistance.
Alexei Rubenstein - WCAX News
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