MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — Wisconsin Foodshare recipients would be prohibited from purchasing soda and candy with their benefits under terms of a bill being taken up in the Assembly today.
The Republican authored measure would require Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services to apply for a waiver from the US Department of Agriculture to enforce the restrictions. If the waiver is approved, DHS must prohibit the use of FoodShare benefits to purchase candy and soda. If it’s not approved DHS is required to resubmit the waiver annually until it’s granted.
Authors say their goal is to help Wisconsinites eat healthier, opponents claim it’s punishing low-income residents. The bill would require DHS to create a candy and soda database at a cost of around $6 million.