The Role of Lobbying in Allowing Junk Food to Be Purchased with SNAP Benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, is designed to help low-income families access nutritious food. However, despite the program’s intended purpose, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase unhealthy processed foods, including soda, chips, and candy. A significant reason for this is the powerful lobbying efforts of major food and beverage corporations, which have influenced lawmakers to ensure their products remain eligible for SNAP purchases. These corporations wield considerable influence through campaign contributions, industry-funded research, and aggressive lobbying strategies that prioritize profits over public health. Corporate Influence on SNAP Policy Large food and beverage companies, such as PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and major snack food manufacturers, have a vested interest in keeping their products available to SNAP recipients. These companies spend millions of dollars lobbying lawmakers and government agencies to resist any attempts ...