Senator Mayes Middleton said Texas spends billions on SNAP benefits, and while the program’s purpose is nutrition, items like "sodas, junk food, candy, and cookies" are not beneficial and contribute to chronic illnesses, which is why he sponsored S.B. No. 379 to prohibit using SNAP funds for such purchases. Middleton was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
“Texas spends billions on SNAP benefits, the old colloquial term for food stamps. It's about $9 billion a year," said Middleton in a recent edition of the Texas Talks Podcast. “Before COVID, it was around $6 billion. That's a lot of money, and there's a lot of waste, fraud, and abuse in that system. We have to take a step back and remember the essential purpose of this program—it’s for nutrition and well-being."
“Sodas, junk food, candy, and cookies aren’t nutritional or necessary for well-being; they actually do the opposite," said Middleton. “A lot of chronic illnesses that we're seeing, causing high healthcare costs and hospitalizations, are linked to junk food. I’m trying to prohibit SNAP funds from being used to purchase these items.”
S.B. No. 379 proposes to prohibit the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for purchasing certain food and drink items, including energy drinks, sweetened and carbonated beverages, candy, chips, and cookies. However, exceptions are made for milk products, certain milk substitutes, non-caloric sweetened beverages, infant formula, weight reduction beverages, and specific health-related products.
Middleton represents Texas Senate District 11, which includes parts of Brazoria, Galveston, and Harris Counties. He is a Republican and serves as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education, with additional roles on several Senate committees, including Administration, Business & Commerce, Education, Jurisprudence, and State Affairs. He is also the President and CEO of Middleton Oil Company and manages ranching, cattle, and farming operations, according to the Texas Senate.
Texas Talks podcast is hosted by Brad Swail. The weekly show is focused on public policy in the state of Texas, with insights from the people and organizations that influence it.
The podcast is available on Simple Cast and YouTube.
