A major consumer advocacy group has endorsed a piece of congressional legislation that seeks to strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by increasing federal funds and enhancing SNAP participants’ access to healthier foods.
The Opt for Health with SNAP Act of 2023, also known as OH SNAP, was endorsed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
Bill Enhances GusNIP With Funding Increase
The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) of the United States government would be strengthened by the bill, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which would increase funding to $3.5 billion over five years and do away with the state matching requirement.
In the statement, CSPI President Dr. Peter G. Lurie noted that few Americans consume the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables and that price remained a major deterrent for SNAP shoppers.
By offering a financial incentive, GusNIP expands the availability of fruits and veggies for consumers on SNAP. Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables has been linked to GusNIP nutrition incentives.
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is a low-income household food purchasing assistance program that is managed by the US Department of Agriculture and carried out at the state level.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, which was first approved in 2018, permits the Secretary of Agriculture to finance initiatives that encourage low-income customers to purchase more fruits and vegetables.
Read more: SNAP Benefit Denials In Texas: Why Was My Food Stamps Application Denied?
Closing The Gap In Incentives For SNAP Users
GusNIP funds are intended to improve the health and nutritional status of participating households, promote growth in states with low participation, and collect data to find and enhance best practices broadly.
However, as Lurie pointed out, SNAP users who receive GusNIP benefits aren’t all given them equally.
According to him, instead of the $21 million currently allotted on GusNIP, $5.3 billion would be spent on it annually if all SNAP households were given incentives for eating fruits and vegetables.
Read more: July 2023 SNAP Benefit Distribution: Know When To Expect Payment