(Statewide) – Indiana’s new Smart SNAP benefits program includes new restrictions on some food items recipients can buy using their government-issued card. Health advocates cheer the move as a step toward a healthier state.
Soda, energy and sports drinks, candy bars, fruit strips, sweetened teas and marshmallows are banned. However, Joe Lackey, president of the Indiana Grocery and Convenience Store Association, said the changes will cost Indiana much more. He does not oppose the move, just the way the program was implemented, calling the process of informing consumers and businesses “confusing and difficult.”
“I’ve had some stores indicate that they are seriously considering dropping the program,” he said. “It also negatively impacts stores that are multi-state chains because of the confusion in all the different states. They’re saying, ‘We don’t have to open stores in Indiana. We may just go open the stores in other states.'”
The updates are part of Gov. Mike Braun’s “Making Indiana Healthy Again” plan and affect grocery and convenience stores, as well as online retailers. Potato chips, ice cream and fruit juice are not part of the ban.
Two SNAP bills did not receive a hearing and were defeated in Indiana’s last legislative session. However, intervention on the federal level from the Health and Human Services Department led to Braun signing the measure into law, Lackey said. The delay in informing consumers and businesses did not help win his support.
“So from last April up until now, January, they had to implement it, and frankly, nothing happened until the first of December,” he said. “So we’re so far behind the power curve, the recipients haven’t been well educated about how it’s going to change. They’re finding out just now as they go to the store.”
Another concern Lackey has is that recipients can take their Indiana-issued electronic benefits transfer card and cross state lines for purchases, which will hurt local retailers’ bottom line.
(Story by Indiana News Now)
