SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

Efforts to keep junk foods from being paid for by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are increasing at the federal and state level. Lawmakers proposing such bills say they want to encourage healthy habits, but some food advocates say the restrictions would have harmful effects.

The federal spending cuts proposed by the Republican-controlled Congress could lead to tens of thousands of jobs lost across Missouri and Kansas health care systems and food suppliers, a new study found.

A new study about potential cuts to Medicaid and SNAP found that Texas could see its gross domestic product shrink by $7 billion.

More than five dozen groups — including United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the Tarrant Area Food Bank — wrote in support of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's request for $300 million to improve processing times for Medicaid and SNAP applications.

The overdue farm bill is finally making its way through Congress, after the House agriculture committee recently advanced a proposal. Food assistance is likely to be one of the biggest sticking points as the draft moves forward.

Opponents say this year's farm bill would significantly cut down on federal meal benefits for low-income Americans. Supporters say projected funding cuts are inaccurate.

State agencies said the U.S. Department of Agriculture did not provide enough information in time for Texas to implement the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer Program in 2024.

Most other states have expanded limits on the value of savings and assets people can own and still get food stamps.

The farm bill sets crucial policy for food assistance, crop insurance and more, and it’s set to expire Sept. 30. Congress is unlikely to meet that deadline, and they still need to decide how much money to spend on the bill.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a flashpoint in Congress yet again as members work to renew the farm bill. And the debate comes in the midst of rising food insecurity across the U.S.