Kehoe applies for waiver to cut ‘unhealthy’ foods from Missouri SNAP recipients

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The state of Missouri has submitted a waiver to cut “unhealthy” foods from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Gov. Mike Kehoe’s Office announced Monday in a press release.
Kehoe signed an executive order on Monday to tell the state’s Department of Social Services to submit the waiver, joining a growing number of states including Iowa, Colorado, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.
States have submitted waivers in an effort to cut soda, candy, chips and other foods typically viewed as not-healthy.
“Healthy and nutritionally secure Missouri families are critical to supporting a path to self-sufficiency and, ultimately, a thriving state,” Kehoe said in the release. “Under the Trump administration, states are taking action to ensure that taxpayer dollars are better used to promote healthy, nutritious food purchases. With approximately $1.5 billion in annual SNAP benefits issued in Missouri, we must refocus our SNAP program to maximize nutritional health for families while also supporting the abundant agricultural output of our state.”