INDIANAPOLIS — State lawmakers considered a bill Wednesday that would further restrict what Hoosiers on SNAP can buy with their benefits. This comes weeks after “Smart SNAP” took effect in Indiana—a move that bans SNAP recipients from using benefits to purchase sugary drinks and candy.
If Indiana lawmakers pass HB 1263, Hoosiers on SNAP could no longer buy desserts like cookies, cakes, and pies, and snacks like potato chips. The bill would also codify the “Smart SNAP” changes into law.
“The bill coincides with Gov. Braun’s executive order…this means more spending on Hoosier produce, vegetables, meats, fruits, milk, juice, and wholesome meals,” State Rep. Ryan Lauer (R-Columbus), the author of HB 1263, said. “Stanford peer-review studies concluded that removing sugary drinks from SNAP purchases would result in lowering childhood obesity rates by almost two percent, which could mean thousands of Hoosier children affected positively by this change.”…