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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. aims to transform SNAP into a program that excludes soda purchases, bringing his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative to West Virginia. During his visit, Republican Governor Patrick Morrisey announced plans to request Department of Agriculture approval to exclude soda from SNAP-eligible items.

“Taxpayer dollars should be targeted toward nutritious foods,” Morrisey said.

Kennedy enthusiastically endorsed this initiative, encouraging nationwide adoption. “I urge every Governor to follow West Virginia’s lead and submit a waiver to the USDA to remove soda from SNAP,” Kennedy said in a statement.

“If there’s one thing we can agree on, it should be eliminating taxpayer-funded soda subsidies for lower income kids. I look forward to inviting every Governor who submits a waiver to come celebrate with me at the White House this fall,” he said.

However, this proposal faces opposition from various quarters. Valerie Imbruce, director of the Center for Environment and Society at Washington College, critiques the approach. “Controlling how the poor eat is a paternalistic response to a problem that is not based in SNAP recipients’ inability to make good decisions about healthy foods, it is a problem of the price differential in choosing healthy or junk foods,” she said.

“Soda and candy are much cheaper and more calorie dense than 100 percent fruit juices or prebiotic non-artificially sweetened carbonated beverages, thanks to price supports and subsidies by the federal government to support a U.S. sugar industry,” she added.

Kennedy defended his position, stating, “I want to commend Governor Morrisey … for his courage.”

He further noted, “These legislators who are pushing this bill, all of them are getting calls every day from the big soda companies … and the fake food companies.”

“We’re not eating food. We’re eating food-like substances.”

The beverage industry responded through Merideth Potter, senior vice president at the American Beverage Association, who stated, “What’s unhelpful about this whole conversation is that soda is not driving obesity. We’ve become this easy punching bag.”

Critics like Seth DiStefano from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy warn that such restrictions could drive shoppers across state lines and potentially lead to store closures.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins expressed readiness to review the proposal: “I look forward to receiving Governor Morrisey’s SNAP pilot request and will work swiftly to make certain West Virginia is equipped with the technical assistance and expertise to move forward.”

White House senior adviser Calley Means revealed that fifteen governors are currently discussing similar SNAP modifications with Kennedy. Means clarified the administration’s stance: “We’re not saying anyone can’t drink Coke. We’re saying no government subsidies for Coke.”