More details needed on food stamp issue
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Editor,
I applaud Representative Janna Taylor and the members of the Children, Families, Health and Human Services Interim Committee for their concerns over the nutritional health of food stamp recipients, as well as costs to taxpayers. I have three points to make regarding the committee’s efforts to restrict purchases of certain food products that contain additives of questionable nutritional value.
1) The committee’s first item of dubious nutritional value is high fructose corn syrup. In the spirit of true concern for the nutrition of all citizens and taxpayer funded expenditures, I assume that the committee will also present a proposal to the United States Department of Agriculture via the Montana Congressional Delegation to request that the USDA eliminate all farm subsidies to corn producers for use in the production of high fructose corn syrup.
2) As the State Legislators’ health benefits are also taxpayer funded, I presume that you will strongly encourage all of your fellow legislators to follow the same food lists as you propose for those individuals receiving food stamp benefits. Your health will be improved as well.
3) Your article did not provide any data sources for the statistics you present regarding the percentage of food stamp recipient purchases for items high in salt, fat, cholesterol, and sugar. To validate your assertions, I am requesting that you provide in writing to this newspaper the sources for the data you presented.
Kathy Farmer
Polson
