Coloradans who receive food assistance will no longer be allowed to use the benefits for soda or other sugary beverages.
Colorado asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture in May for permission to change the rules for the state-federal program and Gov. Jared Polis announced Monday that Colorado had received federal approval. The changes are part of a broader plan to encourage healthier eating that also includes pending requests to let people use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, at restaurants and to buy hot grocery food like rotisserie chickens.
Colorado also has a pending request to federal officials that would expand access at farmers markets.
“Colorado is one of the healthiest states in the nation and has the lowest obesity rate of any state,” Polis said in a news release. “Sadly, even Colorado’s lowest obesity rate of 24.9% is too high, and endangers and shortens the lives of too many Coloradans. Today’s waiver is a big step towards improving the health of Coloradans, and reducing obesity rates, diabetes, and tooth decay.”
The change, coming next year, will also help get rid of “food deserts,” Polis predicted, by reducing shelf space for soda and making room for healthier products.
Under the new rule, food benefits can purchase milk-based drinks or 100% juice, but not soda and other beverages sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners. Drinks with 5 grams or more of sugar or sweetener per 12 ounces will not be allowed.
Colorado was one of six states that got approval to exclude soda or junk food from food assistance programs Monday. The others were West Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy celebrated the state waivers as part of President Trump’s priority to “Make America Healthy Again.”
“For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy—products that fuel America’s diabetes and chronic disease epidemics,” Kennedy said in a news release. “These waivers help put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health.”
In Colorado, changes have been initiated by the legislature. A bill passed this year and signed by Polis in May directs the state to submit a federal application allowing SNAP recipients to use their benefits at restaurants. “This is especially impactful for households with barriers to preparing food,” the governor’s office said.
Type of Story: News
Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.