Wisconsin passes bill banning poor from buying ketchup, pickles, potatoes and more

[femmedem]

18. The OP is not accurate.

From the text of the bill:

"...Under this bill, DHS must require that not less than 67 percent of the SNAP
benefits used by a recipient in a month be used to purchase any of the following foods:
foods that are on the list of foods authorized for the federal special supplemental
nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC foods); beef; pork; chicken;
fish; fresh produce; and fresh, frozen, and canned white potatoes. In addition, DHS
must prohibit using SNAP benefits for the purchase of crab, lobster, shrimp, or any
other shellfish...."

However, it is still disturbing that the bill dictates to any degree which foods a person purchases with their SNAP benefits. Why would white potatoes be specifically included as one of the foods falling into the 67%, but not the nutritionally superior sweet potato? We have a lot of cultures in the U.S.A., and hence a lot of culinary preferences.

Edited to add: it would also require a federal waiver to be enacted into law. http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/wifoodstamps.asp