According to studies shown in 2011, food stamp recipients spent approximately $357,000,000.00 buying soft drinks from leading U.S. grocery retailers. In 2008, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was established, previously known as the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933. Established during the Great Depression, when prices fell dramatically and farms were left with an excess of crops, were the first food stamp programs. The original purpose of the program was to provide economic benefits to the community and nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income families and individuals. There have been recent debates on whether people using food stamps should be able to purchase junk food with them or not. People should not be able to buy junk food with food stamps. One reason people should not be permitted to purchase junk food with food stamps is, food stamps were formerly established for the low-income to receive essential foods. Food stamps were created during the Great Depression in which people could not afford much and were hungry, so they needed assistance buying food. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) clearly stated the purpose of the program, “SNAP offers nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families…” Consuming junk food is not healthy for your body and …show more content…
Individuals work hard to earn money for their families to buy food, clothing, and housing. A considerable amount of these individual’s paychecks goes towards people using food stamps to buy food that are necessities; junk food is not a necessity. In some situations, people will use their food stamps to buy more junk food than necessary food groups. Taxpayers state that the money that goes into food stamps is not “free” and that low-income families need to spend it more