Readers weigh in on Arizona GOP’s SNAP fast food bill

This story was first published in The Copper Courier’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.

Arizona Republicans introduced a bill, HB 2107, that would restrict Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from being used for fast food.

There are already rules in place that bar SNAP from being used at most restaurants, but the fast food carve-out exists for people who may not be able to prepare meals, or who don’t have homes and kitchens.

Around 25,000 Arizonans qualify to use SNAP for fast food purchases, and this bill would stop that from happening—impacting disabled, elderly, and homeless people.

HB 2017 would allow SNAP benefits to cover vitamins, but what exactly that means isn’t defined in the bill.

I asked our newsletter subscribers for their thoughts on the bill, and here’s what they said:

💬 “There are lots of important issues for the AZ legislature to consider. This bill is unnecessary, and if passed will be hurtful to many people who are struggling. Where are their hearts?” — Renae C.

💬 “I am for restricting SNAP for fast food and restaurants. They can cook at home like the rest of us do to save money.” — Judy K.

💬 “Not all fast food is created equal. Places like Salad And Go would probably even be approved by RFK. In fact, many fast food places have healthy choices. The Republicans are just trying to penalize poor people.” — Les R.

(Editor’s note: Salad And Go is not one of the program’s participating restaurants.)

💬 “I don’t think taxpayers should pay for fast food. It isn’t healthy. It is much cheaper and better for you to prepare food at home. I’m in favor of the bill.” — Milly F.

💬 “I only read the first few but I do think it is a good idea to add supplements and decrease fast food. I had not thought about it being for those without a kitchen. Maybe they could have approval for healthier restaurants that are still inexpensive (fast food is not cheap anymore!).” — Ellie L.

💬 “Again, why do so many people, particularly the Republicans, want to make life more difficult for those who already have so little or are experiencing hard times. While maybe not the healthiest, it’s something.” — David

💬 “Some restriction  should be used ie, soda and candy. People who live in tents or motel rooms and cannot cook or refrigerate should be allowed to purchase ready to eat foods that do not require cooking or refrigeration.” — Nancy B.

💬 “I feel for the elderly. If truth be known I’m in that category but don’t feel like I am. When I was a young mother going through a divorce. I received very little money from snaps because I made too much money, $600 per month with house payment of $300 per month and no child support. Fast food wasn’t allowed then, neither any soda, chips, candy, only healthy foods. So for this to be an issue isn’t a no brainer. Advocating for the elderly to purchase fast food is so unhealthy for them. This is signing their death warrant to support them to purchase fast food which is poison. I would advocate to have them have more access to healthy food rather than to allow them to purchase fast food.” — Sandra B.

💬 “What is needed is a program to encourage, perhaps even require, SNAP recipients to learn healthy and nutritious cooking. Many impoverished single parents have to work multiple jobs, but offering the program at different times and days might make it easier to attend or participate. The issue is that many impoverished never learned how to cook even the most simple of products, so buying fast or processed foods is easiest.” — Eric T.

💬 “As a homeless and handicapped man I don’t use fast food but I do know others that do. No I don’t believe that it should be eliminated. May their hearts outweigh their pocket book!” — Robert R.

💬 “Not everyone has a home to cook meals, never mind the cost of food! I am a widow and my husband’s death was sudden and unexpected. I lost my husband and a second income that he brought in from working. People need to think beyond their own circumstances before they pass judgment.” — Deborah G.

💬 “People assume everyone has the means to cook or prepare their food. The truth is a lot of people on snap don’t have the means or time to prepare store bought food. If you can’t store it, cook it, or simply can’t open a can good what good does it do you. Again people judging situations they know nothing about.” — Marcos G.

MORE: Grateful, angry, suspicious: How our readers responded to the DOJ voter data lawsuit