SNAP

A federal judge blocked five states' bans on the use of SNAP benefits for junk food purchases — and Missouri has a similar plan.

The Columbia Farmers Market earned $37,500 and the Veterans Mental Health Council received $10,000.

Congressional lawmakers are looking to add rotisserie chicken to the list of foods people can purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Currently, the program excludes hot and pre-prepared foods.

The initiative was originally expected to roll out in October. Missouri DSS said the extended timeline will give the state more time to work with local grocers, agricultural partners and community stakeholders before the program begins.

Beginning in November, SNAP retailers across the U.S. will be required to stock more healthy foods. But experts say the change will ultimately leave federal food aid users with fewer options — especially in rural areas.

The Missouri Department of Social Services applied last year for federal permission to implement its Healthy SNAP initiative. As the department works with grocers to iron out details, it’s unclear whether the changes will go into effect Oct. 1 as planned.

The Wednesday market will run from 4 to 7 p.m. each week through Aug. 26 in the Ash Street Pavilion.

As SNAP cuts remain in place in this new farm bill, advocates warn of ripple effects across rural communities and local farm economies.

Currently under federal law, convicted people with drug charges are banned from receiving SNAP benefits. A proposed Missouri House bill would opt out of the federal ban.

Gina Plata-Nino is the SNAP director for the Food Research and Action Center, a national nonprofit group focused on eliminating hunger in the US, and spoke about some of the impacts changes to SNAP could have on Missourians.