Senator Rubio Puts Food Stamp Program on a Diet

SB 471 Combats Obesity, Diabetes Rates Among Low Income Groups

SACRAMENTO – Senator Michael J. Rubio (D – East Bakersfield) today introduced SB 471, which requires California’s Food Stamp program to offer healthier alternatives to the current harmful food options available to benefit recipients.

The Senator’s bill creates a dual remedy approach to combating the ongoing fiscal and health concerns associated with the food stamp program in California, such that these government funded benefits:

• Only encompass staple food items, such as milk, eggs and beans.
• Prohibit food stamp purchases at fast food restaurants.

In California, approximately $7.7 billion dollars is spent annually in medical expenses attributed to obesity, according to a study noted by the CDC.  Senator Rubio indeed believes that government must restore the ideals of the original food stamp program by providing a ‘nutritionally adequate diet.’   

“We must give people what they need, not what they want,” Rubio said.  “As the state faces a $25+ billion budget deficit, we must continue to be prudent with the hard earned tax dollars entrusted to us by California taxpayers.  This proposal will not only save the state money, but it will also promote a healthier lifestyle for communities throughout the state.”