EBT Recipient: ‘What’s the Point of Food Stamps If It’s Just for Real Food’

reporter: “Local News Live’s John Kippur explains.”

[Clip starts]
MOORE: “What’s the point of food stamps if it’s just for real food?”

KIPPUR (voice-over): “Kenna Moore believes she and other SNAP recipients should be able to go into the grocery store and buy whatever they like.”

MOORE: “That’s not even cool. Like, why do they do that?”

KIPPUR (voice-over): “Beginning next year, soda, candy, prepackaged sweets, prepared dessert and juice with less than half the natural fruit or vegetable juice will not be allowed to be purchased on SNAP cards.”

MOORE: “I don’t know what Trump is doing. I don’t know what’s going on.”

KIPPUR (voice-over): “Missouri’s move comes after the Trump Administration’s push to let states ban junk food products — all a part of their ‘Make America healthy again’ agenda.”

KIPPUR: “In the states waiver application, they say healthy and nutritious families are more likely to be on the path of self-sufficiency. They add these types of foods will lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.”

KIPPUR (voice-over): “Governor Mike Kehoe says they’re looking to refocus SNAP to maximize nutritional health for family.”

MOORE: “thank God I don’t got kids. But the people out there that got kids, it’s not gonna be cool.”

KIPPUR (voice-over): “Moore says she’s more into fruits and veggies, but worries about families with kids potentially unable to purchase snacks. And others like Arsenio Townsend agree.”

TOWNSEND: “Sometimes adults might want to snack something every now and then.”

KIPPUR (voice-over): “The Missouri Department of Social Services overseas snap, but told us recently that it could not break down specific items purchased by SNAP recipients. Townsend boys’ folks will just use cash to buy their favorite candy now.”

TOWNSEND: “I don’t think it will make a difference, really.”

KIPPUR (voice-over): “The state also says they are now working to create clear guidelines to ensure the new rule is being followed. In St. Louis County, John Kippur.”