DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa House subcommittee moved forward a bill on Wednesday afternoon that would limit foods that can be purchased through the supplemental nutrition assistance program. WHO-TV reports The bill advanced by a vote along party lines, 2 to 1. It provides a list of eligible foods for SNAP recipients: real eggs, real meat, real dairy, bread and grains, all fruits and vegetables, all cereals which includes granola, peanut butter and nuts, pasta, rice, and legumes and all items in the most current women, infants, and children approved foods list.

A lobbyist for the Iowa Hunger Coalition says more than 60& of SNAP participants said the cost of healthier foods is a barrier to them having a healthy diet each month. There were also concerns about grocery stores having to abide by the reduced lists, as employees would have to confirm the items being purchased through the SNAP program would lineup with state law.

One portion of the bill that everyone seems to agrees with, is the double up food bucks’ program. The bill adds an appropriation of $1 million to expand access for Iowans to get fresh fruits and vegetables.  But a majority of public comment on the bill were against the bill as a whole due to the changes to SNAP.

There could be changes to the list in the future, but the bill was advanced to keep the conversation ongoing as next week is the first massive deadline for Iowa lawmakers.