Oklahoma’s changes to SNAP geared toward healthy create health concerns

In the last few months, SNAP users have seen several changes to their benefits. From benefits being halted due to the government shutdown, to item restrictions, there has been a lot for users to keep up with. Since mid-February, SNAP users are now dealing with changes to what can be purchased with their benefits.

While before SNAP could be used to purchase most foods that any family paying with cash would have the ability to purchase, some of those items are now no longer an option. Oklahoma has added two categories of items that are no longer eligible for SNAP, which include Sodas & Drinks, and Candy & Sweets. These changes have been implemented as part of the “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” initiative 

According to this Low Income Relief graph, the soda & drinks category excludes any sweet drink, except juice. Even flavored water, which many individuals use as an incentive to drink more water, are not eligible. The only drinks now eligible to be purchased with SNAP are milk and dairy drinks, juice, and unsweetened coffee or teas.

The same graph details that anything classified as candy is not eligible. Unlike other states with item restrictions, Oklahoma went a step further to specifically place restrictions on candy bars containing flour so that no loopholes can be found to purchase them as baked goods. This is because the only sweet treat items that may be purchased with SNAP now are bakery items and ingredients for baking.

There has been much debate around the changes. Some people believe the changes will contribute to better health among low income populations, while others believe the changes are policing people’s abilities to choose their own groceries and the experiences they are able to provide their children. Regardless of the general impact of the changes, there are some circumstances in which SNAP users will undoubtedly have a harder time due to these changes.

One example involves food deserts. A food desert is defined by the USDA as “a low-income, geographically isolated area with limited access to affordable, nutritious food, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.” For many low income people living in food deserts, the only place to buy food in town is a convenience store, which largely offers items that would not meet the needs of the recent changes to SNAP benefits. Further, these towns are usually more secluded, meaning low income families without reliable transportation are essentially left without an accessible option.

The town of Chattanooga is one Oklahoma example of a food desert. According to a 2023 census report by Data USA, Chattanooga had a population of 398 people, with an increasing percentage of them being at poverty level at 15% and with 146 of them being unemployed. The town only has a single convenience store to purchase groceries at. Further, Chattanooga is at least a 30 minute drive from a city big enough to host better grocery shopping options. While a member of city hall did mention that the town has a single blessing box available to those in need, its contents aren’t likely to be able to support the growing 15% of the town that need those resources.

While the Oklahoma Human Services site states, “SNAP serves as the first line of defense against hunger,” the recent changes to SNAP instead draw a line between those living in food deserts and obtainable food options to avoid hunger. Without the ability to purchase the whole selection of items available at the Hop & Sack in Chattanooga, SNAP users living there have slim options. As a result, these SNAP users must make hour-long, if not longer commutes to obtain foods that meet the new SNAP standards. Those without transportation or schedules that don’t allow for that long a commute are left to search for additional resources to meet their needs.

Along with accessibility being a new concern for SNAP users, health needs are another detail that went overlooked in making these changes. Tawnee Tibbitts, a mother living in Comanche County, said on average, she works 120 hours in a two week span but still must utilize SNAP benefits to feed her five children. One of those children she described as “a medically fragile child with blood sugar instability and GI complications.” She compared the condition to recurrent hypoglycemia and explained that sugary treats, such as candy, are essential medicine and function as fast-acting glucose.

“When blood sugar drops, especially in children who can’t always verbalize it, minutes matter,” Tibbitts stated. “Parents of kids with unstable blood sugar often live in a state of hyper-alertness. That anxiety is real and it wears on you. As a parent I am not asking for luxuries. I’m asking for the ability to keep my child alive safely.”

She went on to express her concerns around sending her child to public spaces like school and the playground without these instantly accessible sources of glucose because other people may not know how to respond. She listed multiple symptoms that could be a result of not receiving that glucose, such as seizures and fainting.

“I should not have to choose between paying rent, paying hospital bills, buying medically necessary food, or keeping emergency sugar on hand.” Tibbitts shared. “That isn’t irresponsible spending. That is managing a chronic condition.”

Tibbitts expressed that she has taken every additional action that she can, including communicating with doctors and school staff to weigh all options and applying for additional programs and grants. She has even created a medical summary for her child to make other adults more aware of the circumstances.

“That is not someone ‘living off benefits.’ That is someone surviving under pressure most people could not handle,” Tibbitts added. “I’m doing everything I can, but now have to face the new struggles with the changes to food stamps.”

According to the Food and Nutrition Service letter that put these changes in place, SNAP users are encouraged but not required to share their feedback through regular surveys and interviews. The letter also acknowledges that SNAP users have the option to cross state lines to obtain these restricted items, however these transactions will be monitored. Again, the ability to travel for this option is not realistic for SNAP users without reliable transportation or with schedules that don’t permit the time for such trips.

Dark Roast Report will continue to monitor the changes to SNAP and how they impact members of the community to keep all members of the community, not just those directly impacted, aware of the effects.