Food Shaming Concerns Delay Colorado Plan to Ban Soda Purchases With Food Stamps

By: Jennifer Brown | The Colorado Sun

A plan to prohibit Coloradans from using food-assistance benefits to buy soda and sugary fruit juices was stalled Friday by a state board after opponents argued it was an overreach that could harm the dignity and autonomy of low-income families.

The rule would ban the use of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, called SNAP, to buy soda as well as juices with added sugars or artificial sweeteners.

Gov. Jared Polis won approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the “healthy choice” rule in August, but needed the governor-appointed state human services board to put it in place. The final step became highly controversial, with opponents including homeless advocacy groups, Save the Children, Hunger Free Colorado and a contingent of 27 state lawmakers — all Democrats. 

Opponents, including people who receive food stamps, argued the restriction would limit people’s autonomy to make their own food choices and cause more food insecurity. Testimony and debate about sugary beverages went on for about seven hours before the board voted 8-1 to delay a decision until their next meeting, on April 3. Before that vote, multiple board members said they were planning to vote against the proposal.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT THE COLORADO SUN