Madeleine Charis King
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Iowa Public Radio
Grocery stores and gas stations that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are required to offer more perishable foods and variety under a new federal rule, which went into effect Nov. 4. But retail associations, food banks and a dozen Republican U.S. senators, including Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, have warned that the timeline is too fast for small grocers and convenience store owners to comply.
Rachel Cramer
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Iowa Public Radio
Leah McBride Mensching
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Harvest Public Media
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Farm Bill progress stalled Thursday as the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee failed to move forward its version of the omnibus legislation due to a conflict over when states will shoulder a share of federal nutrition assistance costs. -
Many states face a fast approaching deadline to lower their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payment error rates or shoulder some of the federal program’s benefit costs. Food security groups worry this and other changes brought on by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could result in people losing aid. -
Fewer Iowans are enrolled in a federal food assistance program after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act changed eligibility requirements and the state narrowed the types of SNAP-eligible foods.
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Gov. Kim Reynolds signed what she called the "Iowa MAHA bill" into law Wednesday with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by her side. -
A bill banning some food dyes from school meals, authorizing over-the-counter ivermectin and requiring the state to continue seeking limits on what can be bought with food assistance is on its way to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk for her signature. -
House Republicans passed Gov. Kim Reynolds’ wide-ranging health bill Tuesday that would put food assistance restrictions into law, ban some food dyes from school meals and authorize over-the-counter ivermectin.
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Active bills at the Iowa Statehouse involving public libraries and public assistance programs are the focus of this Legislative Monday episode. First, Sam Helmick, shares their perspective on proposals that would impact public libraries as president of the American Library Association. Then, Rep. Heather Matson, D-Ankeny and Rep. Helena Hayes, R-New Sharon, share their differing perspectives on library bills. Then, Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames, and Rep. Austin Harris, R-Moulton, discuss proposed changes to SNAP and WIC. We also hear from Paige Chickering, vice chair of the Iowa Hunger Coalition. -
An interview with Lee Rood of the Des Moines Register about the state's agreements with the Department of Homeland Security that took effect this January, and with IPR's Rachel Cramer on new restrictions on SNAP food purchases, and more.
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Starting Jan. 1, taxable foods and beverages in Iowa will no longer be eligible under SNAP. This includes candy, soda and sugary beverages with less than 50% fruit or vegetable juice – but also dried fruit leathers, flourless granola bars and some prepared items.
