(Stock photo: "Homeless John")
Earlier this week, President Trump is proposing to replace a portion of SNAP benefits with a meal delivery service that would deliver food and produce to needy families to replace half of their financial benefits. (source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-budget-swaps-food-stamps-for-packages-of-cereals-milk/ar-BBJ2HAf?OCID=ansmsnnews11)
At first glance, this would appear to be a practical solution. After all, both parties see a need for improved nutrition in government delivered services, and delivering food rather than funds would seem to be a practical solution. It could be a reboot of the once widely available USDA commodities program (although the program was supplemental, and not a replacement for food stamp benefits).
But it could have further reaching implications than we realize. In 2017, the program served 42.2 million people and over 20 million households (see above source). Most of that money was spent at local retailers, which provide jobs and income for the community. While there are practical sides to this Trump plan, it could have the unintended consequence of expanding food deserts as retailers in impoverished areas close their doors because of declining revenues from SNAP customers. And as this program seeks to expand work requirements, more families could find themselves unemployed as these retailers cut jobs and hours for their employees.
A better plan would be to expand the commodities program without cutting SNAP. Yes, it would come at a cost; everything does. But ultimately we are going to have to decide whether our priorities lie in waging wars and building walls, or in building infrastructure that includes human infrastructure, and ensuring access to nutrition for all of our citizens.
We have the money, we just have misguided priorities.