Food benefits

A federal program under fire from the Trump Administration has bought and shipped American grain to the world’s hungry for seven decades. Hear why the fight to save Food for Peace raises a fundamental question about the focus of U.S. international food aid.

The change comes via an executive order from Gov. Mike Kehoe directing the state to discourage the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to buy "foods that are high in sugar and ultra-processed" and incentivize healthy eating.

The Trump administration’s drive to slash safety-net spending is hitting SNAP. As the cost of gasoline spikes, rent and utilities climb and food remains expensive, more than 3.5 million Americans have lost food benefits.

Enrollment in the Kansas SNAP program declined 12% since the federal legislation was signed into law last year by President Donald Trump.

The Missouri Department of Social Services applied last year for federal permission to prohibit purchases of candy, prepared desserts and sugary drinks with SNAP and SuN Bucks. But supermarkets aren't yet clear what qualifies.

Missouri lawmakers passed a state budget that zeroes out funding for Double Up Food Bucks, which helps low-income families use SNAP to afford more fresh produce. It comes after Republican legislators pushed to limit SNAP purchases of candy and sugary drinks in order to improve nutrition.

A Kansas City, Kansas, woman filed whistleblower and civil rights claims against the housing authority, saying employees misused federal funds in exchange for tenants’ food stamps. The scheme preyed upon “the most vulnerable” residents, the lawsuit says.

The Missouri House also passed legislation Thursday creating cross-reporting requirements for child and animal abuse cases. Here's what bills are moving through the legislature.

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

A Kansas Senate committee is considering a bill to pressure Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration to comply with the federal government’s request for the data, including social security numbers. Kansas is one of more than 20 states rebuffing the request.

Missouri submitted a waiver to the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting to certify candy, desserts, soft drinks, and certain fruit juices as ineligible to purchase with SNAP benefits.

A federal judge ruled last year Missouri’s food aid system was “overwhelmed,” had wrongly denied assistance to applicants, and had caused many to go hungry. A new bill signed by President Trump will cut SNAP funding and add work requirements, which will likely worsen the problems.