A federal judge has blocked Iowa’s restrictions on buying certain foods like candy and soda with government food assistance.
Iowa got permission from the Trump administration to ban the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Summer EBT for buying taxable items like candy and some other foods.
The judge said federal officials violated the law when they approved the restrictions.
Governor Kim Reynolds says she sought SNAP changes to improve Iowans’ health, and the court’s decision is short-sighted.
Kathy Underhill is CEO of the Des Moines Area Religious Council, which runs a network of food pantries.
“I wholeheartedly agree with the governor on the goal of having everyone eat nutritious food. That is absolutely a shared goal. It’s just, what is the most effective way to get there? And I guess I would prefer we use carrots instead of sticks," Underhlll said Tuesday.
Underhill says she’s cautiously optimistic because she agrees with the court’s decision, but it’s likely not the final answer, as an appeal could be pursued.
One day ago on Monday, state data showed nearly 25,000 fewer people are enrolled SNAP in Iowa than before the so-called One, Big Beautiful Bill changed things
The sweeping law reduces federal funding for the program by 20 percent and adds new work requirements.
It bars certain immigrants, such as refugees, from enrolling. Earlier this year, Iowa also narrowed what types of foods people can buy with SNAP dollars.
John Boller is the board chairman of the Iowa Hunger Coalition. He says while some people have stopped qualifying for SNAP, others have stopped enrolling because of confusion around the new guidelines.
