(Radio Iowa) – A federal judge has blocked Iowa’s waiver to keep SNAP users from buying certain foods like candy and pop. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said in a statement the court’s decision is short-sighted as the restrictions are intended to improve health of SNAP users.
The Des Moines Area Religious Council runs a network of food pantries and C-E-O Kathy Underhill says the waiver had good intent. “I wholeheartedly agree with the governor on the goal of having everyone eat nutritious food. That is absolutely a shared goal. It’s just, what is the most effective way to get there?,” she asks. Underhill says a ban on certain foods isn’t the way she would pursue that goal.
“I guess I would prefer we use carrots instead of sticks,” Underhill says. She says Iowa’s SNAP restrictions have been messy because they rely on the state’s tax code. “It is very complex and nuanced. And so what we have seen play out is like you can’t buy a three-ingredient granola bar, but you can buy a Twix candy bar. Or you can’t buy cut up fruit, but you can buy a slice of cake,” she says.
Underhill says she’s cautiously optimistic because she agrees with the court’s decision, but it’s likely not the final answer. Iowa’s new SNAP policy has been in place since January 1st.
