Do you think Delaware should place restrictions on what Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits can buy? A resolution, defeated in the state Senate last week, was proposed to encourage Gov. Matt Meyer to submit a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeking to prohibit SNAP users from buying unhealthy foods, such as candy and soda. The resolution suggested that the restrictions could reduce diet-related chronic illnesses.
I totally understand and support Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Camden, in this endeavor. When my husband and I moved to Delaware nine years ago, I, as a registered nurse, immediately noted how overweight the younger people of this state were and still are. The majority of restaurants are fast food. So, it stands to reason that, if SNAP funds are used in restaurants, guess where people will go to eat. Young individuals need to be aware of food choices and how to better take care of their health through better diets. I, too, Senator, hope your colleagues did not vote you down due to political reasons. If they did, the people of this state have an even bigger problem! — Monica Saldarini
I have witnessed numerous times a person in line at a grocery store paying with food stamps, and they are getting a lot of cakes, candy and other junk food. I used to think, “So what? The kids need a treat once in a while.” My views changed over the years. Maybe that money would be better spent getting something more nutritious. Back in the day, people went to a location and picked up food. They received big boxes of cheese, peanut butter, powdered milk and powdered eggs. The cheese made great grilled cheese sandwiches, by the way. The recent bill to deny the purchase of junk food is a good idea, but I don’t think it’s enforceable. It will put the burden on the cashiers, and their jobs are hard enough as it is. I think we have to continue to rely on parents to, hopefully, know what is right for their families. — Stan Sipple
As a pediatrician with over 30 years in practice, I wholeheartedly agree with Sen. Eric Buckson’s disappointment that Senate Concurrent Resolution 105 — to get Delaware a waiver to prevent SNAP benefits from being used to purchase soda, candy and other junk foods — failed to gain support in the General Assembly. The SNAP program is vital to address food insecurity in families but should be focused on healthy foods. The number of obese children I treat has increased tremendously over my career, and I never imagined I would be treating obese children with Type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension 30 years ago. One common denominator in the majority of these children is sugary drinks and snacks and high-fat junk foods. Hence, in our expression “5-2-1-Almost None,” the “None” refers to sugary drinks, snacks and junk foods. I encourage our government leaders to put politics aside and make the right decision for our vulnerable children by reconsidering SCR 105 next session. — Dr. Kevin Sheahan
I said it before, and I will say it again: The only things that these benefits should be allowed to buy are meats, vegetables, dairy, bread and condiments. That is it, and that’s coming from someone who has been on SNAP in the past. — Deanna Dennison
The obvious, no-brainer answer is yes! But good luck getting junk food baby mamas and other recipients to accept any restrictions on a benefit they consider a right. — Dennis Kirkwood
Yes! Just look at the lines in the grocery stores. — Brian Eddy
All these comments, even from the senator, about health. How about we just ban sodas and junk food altogether then? — Clint Brothers
It’s more cost-effective to eat junk. And what is considered junk food? Some children would never get a birthday cake otherwise. I would rather 1,000 people take advantage knowing that one didn’t go hungry. I’d rather my tax dollars be spent feeding people than some of the ridiculous things we spend money on. How about we work to lower the cost of groceries first and then you can worry about this? — Elizabeth Brode
The enforcement of these guidelines costs more than any savings. — Benjamin Black
Yes, and other foods, as well. I saw a lady buying crabcakes (with a Michael Kors purse) using SNAP recently — Joey Sivak
If you don’t allow junk food, then you are telling people who have SNAP that they are not good enough. Also, processed food is much cheaper than fresh food is. SNAP will not go very far. All that said, SNAP benefits should not be restricted. Also, it won’t help chronic illnesses because the rest of the population will buy what they want. — Liz Molenda
The same government wants to tax you on alcohol and cigarettes to push you away from those, so why would they not, if the taxpayers are paying for it? — Jeff Grzeszczak
Should we cut subsidies to farmers who sell products to junk food producers? — Phillip John Sharpe
How about 1.) We learn that everyone is different, and what is considered unhealthy to some is healthy to others; 2.) We reduce diet-related chronic illnesses. This is a joke in itself in that most of the ones diagnosing these diseases don’t have the medical training to do so, as they are nurse practitioners, not doctors; 3.) Most of what people claim they are allergic to and what they claim is the reason for their diet is not what they are allergic to but the process of how it’s made. For example, most who claim to be “allergic to gluten” are not actually allergic to it, as it doesn’t exist. But the process of bleaching the wheat used to make the bread is what makes them sick. — Kyle Hendrix
I think there should be guidelines for these programs. Too much waste and abuse! I have seen people buy steamed crabs with electronic benefit transfer cards. That is not acceptable. That’s $200-$300 for a bushel. That money can go a little further for kids in a month than those crabs! I feel they should have to obtain a job and work a minimum of hours and have random drug testing. If I have to be drug tested to keep my job, it’s good enough for them to be tested, also! — Danree Fjelsted Heath
