• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Legislature / Push continues for FoodShare restrictions

Push continues for FoodShare restrictions

January 16, 2014 By Andrew Beckett

Efforts continue at the Capitol to require FoodShare recipients to buy healthier food.

Members of a state Senate committee heard testimony Wednesday on a bill from state Representative Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah), which would require anyone receiving FoodShare benefits to spend at least two-thirds of that money on healthy foods. Kaufert says he thinks the requirement “will help them make better choices, make better decisions about what they’re putting in their cupboards” and “help them lead a healthier lifestyle.”

AUDIO: Rep. Dean Kaufert (:17)

The list of foods that are considered healthy under the bill would be based largely on those allowed under the WIC program, which provides nutrition assistance for pregnant women and newborns. Additional items excluded from WIC, such as meat and cheese, would also be included.

The proposal is drawing criticism from advocates for the poor, who argue it unfairly blames obesity rates on low-income residents. During Wednesday’s hearing, Matt Stienstra with the Hunger Task Force argued that the list of approved “healthy foods” fails to account for the cultural food preferences of different groups or the very real limitations many low-income households face when trying to find and purchase healthy foods. Stienstra says many rural and urban residents have limited access to stores that sell fresh produce, which is also often significantly marked up in price in “food deserts.”

The FoodShare program is federally funded, so the state would have to seek a waiver to make any changes in how it administers the program. Other states have made similar requests in the past, which have been turned down.

The bill passed the state Assembly last spring with bipartisan support.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Legislature, News



Featured Stories

Brewers avoid arbitration hearings with Hader, Woodruff

Wisconsin’s hockey game vs. ASU Friday night postponed

Madison police stepping up their presence in response to security concerns

Bucks secure third win over Pistons this season

Packers hoping COVID-19 stops with Veldheer as playoff game approaches

TwitterFacebook

Listen Now | More from Titletown »

Sports Headlines

Brewers avoid arbitration hearings with Hader, Woodruff

Wisconsin’s hockey game vs. ASU Friday night postponed

Bucks secure third win over Pistons this season

Packers hoping COVID-19 stops with Veldheer as playoff game approaches

Big Ten dominates the college wrestling world

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC