The Kentucky Beverage Association gathered to advocate for non-alcoholic beverages to be kept as part of the SNAP program. The Make America Healthy Again Kentucky Task Force is considering this change in hopes of lowering obesity rates.
Operating since 1917, the Beverage Association is made up of high-ranking executives from G&J Pepsi, Clark Coca-Cola, and Ale-8-One Bottling, as well as other smaller companies. Dallas Clark, president, CEO and chairman of Clark Coca-Cola, said beverage calories are not driving obesity.
“As the product directly relates to SNAP, we like to eliminate one myth, the idea that SNAP participants are only filling up their grocery carts with soda. The USDA, which over sees the SNAP program, tracks this closely. Their data shows a simple fact. Households on SNAP only spend 5 cents per dollar on beverages,” said Clark
Clark said removing soda would be taking away the dignity of choice for nearly 600,000 Kentuckians.
“In closing, as Kentucky’s local beverage companies, we want to encourage you in your work. Americans do want to get healthier and talking about how to help is a worthy exercise, but the best way is not by restriction but rather for companies like ours to provide shoppers with more choice in their groceries along with clear transparent information,” said Clark.
Additionally, Clark said soda isn’t a leading contributor to obesity or a large percentage of what SNAP users purchase with the benefits. Since 2000, adult obesity has increased by 37.4% while beverage calories per serving have decreased 42%.