JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi taxpayers could save more than $22 million per year and improve the health of its citizens if the state restricted the purchase of certain junk food with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or “food stamps”) benefits according to a new report from State Auditor Shad White.
“President Trump is focused on Making America Healthy Again, so we need to Make Mississippi Healthy Again,” said Auditor White. “That means a renewed commitment to exercise and teaching our children healthy habits, but it also means using a little more common sense in how we spend taxpayer money on food stamps.”
Nearly 1 in 8 Mississippians—about 357,000 people—receive SNAP benefits to buy groceries, and nationwide, nearly 23% of SNAP spending is on junk food like prepared desserts, salty snacks, sugary drinks and candy.
This means that taxpayers spend $190 million each year on providing junk food for Mississippians on a “nutrition assistance” program. If Mississippi obtained a waiver to ban just sugary drinks and candy from SNAP, analysts estimate at least 11.4% of SNAP benefits—or $95 million—would be redirected to more nutritious foods and drinks.
Restricting unhealthy purchases with SNAP benefits could improve health outcomes for Mississippians and save taxpayer money by reducing costs in other state programs like Medicaid. Research shows 78% of SNAP participants are also enrolled in Medicaid.
If obesity and chronic diseases linked to poor nutrition decreased among SNAP recipients by just 1% then Mississippi’s Medicaid program could see up to $22 million in annual savings.
The full report can be found under the “Reports” tab on the Auditor’s website and searching “SNAP.”