EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Governor Greg Abbott is advocating for restrictions on the types of foods that can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, potentially affecting over three million Texans. Abbott recently submitted a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, requesting a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services to exclude unhealthy foods from SNAP coverage.
In his letter, Abbott emphasized the need to improve the health of Texans, stating, “SNAP was created to increase access to nutritious food; however, many SNAP purchases are for food with little to no nutritious value.”
Celeste Varela, Director of Government Relations for El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, highlighted the challenges faced by residents in the area. A study in partnership with UTEP, found that 36% of El Pasoans struggle with food insecurity. Varela noted that data shows 80 cents of every SNAP dollar is spent on healthier options, but unhealthy choices like chips and soda are often cheaper. “I’m sure that every family would choose their health over anything else. But when food is expensive, which it is very much right now, and healthy food is more expensive, it really makes those choices harder,” she said.
Varela also pointed out the local economic impact of SNAP benefits, stating, “Every dollar spent with SNAP equals $1.54 in economic activity, that is built in or injected into the local economy, and for our three-county service area in 2024, that was a little over $433 million in just one year of positive economic activity in this community.”
Residents in El Paso have mixed reactions to the proposed restrictions. Some believe it could lead to healthier lifestyles, while others argue for more comprehensive measures to improve Texans’ lives.
“I think sometimes it is hard and especially because we live in a country where we normalize what to eat, like everyday fast food or they also don’t implement that much on health and what should be normal to eat,” said resident Chantal Barrera. “I believe there’s a certain limit to it. There should be. I mean, if you have a craving, why not? But if that’s like a daily thing to be buying junk food every day, I don’t believe that it should be used in that sense, food stamps.”
Another El Pasoan expressed, “I think they should be allowed to use food stamps to get any food they really want in general. I think it’s just a matter of perspective.”
One person suggested the state should focus on implementing programs that educate people on healthier choices. “So that I believe the governor should Produce a program into Helping those who don’t know about health and wellness and rather just going into the store and getting a $2 bag of chips Where it’s empty calories. I think there needs to be a much bigger approach when it comes to changing the whole dynamic of a person’s mindset,” they said.
Abbott’s request for the waiver is still pending approval.
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