SNAP recipients can no longer purchase candy bars, a coke or an energy drink with their benefits.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry says the federal government has approved the Louisiana’s request to ban the purchase of these items with food stamps.
“So you will no longer be able to buy sugary candy, energy drinks or soft drinks, no more soda pop on food stamps. But guess what? We’re adding rotisserie chicken,” Landry said.
Landry says SNAP recipients can now go to the grocery store and buy a hot rotisserie chicken with their food stamps. He says this new policy is part of the state’s Make Louisiana Healthy agenda.
“SNAP beneficiaries are more likely to have higher rates of obesity. That creates a greater risk for chronic diseases. We want to make Louisianians healthy,” Landry said.
Landry says gone are the days of taxpayers subsidizing unhealthy lifestyles and eating habits.
“We want all of Louisiana to be healthy. And our welfare programs are supposed to be a hand up, not a candy out,” Landry said.