Currently, SNAP families can use their benefits to pay for almost any food in the grocery store.  However, some members of Congress, including the Chairman of the House Subcommittee that funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), want to establish a pilot program that would allow states to prevent SNAP participants from using their benefits to purchase “unhealthy” food. Multiple states have also asked USDA for waivers that would allow them to impose similar restrictions on SNAP food purchases.

From a purely economic perspective, some of us might think that such restrictions would help the dairy industry. After all, if SNAP families can no longer purchase soda or chips, maybe they will use their benefits to buy more milk, cheese, yogurt and other nutritious dairy products. The problem with this line of thinking is that we don’t yet know how policymakers will define “unhealthy” food.  

If they don’t consider dairy’s unique and unparalleled nutritional profile but only focus on added sugars, saturated fat and sodium numbers, it’s possible that some dairy products, such as ice cream and flavored milk, yogurt or cheese, won’t make the cut. And even if the initial focus is on other food groups, there is no way to prevent a future Congress or administration from expanding the initial “unhealthy” food list to include certain dairy foods.

To be clear, USDA or state agencies creating lists of “good” or “bad” SNAP foods, and grocery and convenience stores’ implementing those lists would add costs and bureaucracy, making the SNAP program more expensive to taxpayers without providing additional food to those in need.

IDFA has joined with several food and agriculture organizations, along with retailers and anti-hunger groups, to support maintaining individual freedoms in SNAP to ensure that families can continue to buy the groceries they determine are best suited for them, without federal government interference in those personal decisions.  

SNAP is a critical lifeline for working families and individuals, providing food access to families during times of temporary hardship. A key strength of the program is its flexibility, allowing participants to select from a wide range of foods based on their dietary needs, personal preferences and cultural values. This ability to make personal choices is essential to helping families manage their health and maintain their dignity, without the federal government dictating how Americans feed themselves or their loved ones.   

Instead of restricting SNAP food purchases, policymakers should focus on incentivizing the consumption of healthier foods, including dairy products. Dairy and dairy-containing foods — including processed foods — contain many essential nutrients including protein, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B12, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.  Unfortunately, 90% of Americans, including SNAP families, do not consume enough milk and dairy to achieve the nutrient goals set forth in the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  

In 2018, Congress authorized a SNAP milk incentive program (the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives Projects). By the end of the year, more than 1,100 retail stores in 32 states will have provided SNAP customers with discounted skim and 1% milk, which has led to increased milk consumption by participating SNAP families.  

The time has come for Congress to expand this program to include all milk varieties, including 2% and whole, as well as cheese and yogurt, to make it easier for more SNAP households to access dairy’s powerful nutritional benefits.  

My suggestion: Let’s encourage good food choices instead of restricting SNAP food options.

Editor's Note: These are the views of J. David Carlin, IDFA, and do not necessarily represent those of Dairy Foods or its parent company, BNP Media.