Oklahoma’s restrictions on candy and sugary drink purchases with SNAP benefits remain in place despite a federal judge’s ruling against such bans. The judge ruled that the federal government cannot stop SNAP benefits from being used to purchase candy and sugary drinks, following a legal challenge filed by beneficiaries from five states.

Local Impact

In Oklahoma, restrictions on candy and sugary drinks took effect in February. SNAP recipients like Jae Alexander have noticed the changes. ‘It’s a lot harder, for sure. When I go to the store, my cranberry juice — if it’s not 100 percent juice — it won’t go through,’ Alexander said. Alexander also stated that these changes make shopping stressful and suggested that easier access to healthier foods and nutrition education might be a better solution.

Oklahoma Human Services stated that it has not received communication from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration regarding how, or if, SNAP recipients in Oklahoma will be impacted by the federal ruling. The agency emphasized that the Healthy Food Waiver guidelines remain in effect and that it will notify SNAP recipients if federal decisions affect them.

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.