Latest news with #Ferrara
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: The Tribune Editorial Board should give RFK more credit in his campaign against sugar
In reference to the editorial 'As sugar is attacked, Chicago candymaker Ferrara keeps the Nerds coming' (May 27), the Tribune Editorial Board should do more research and also admit some harsh realities concerning sugar consumption. Is the board aware that about 1 in 5 children are classified as obese, some severely so? Sadly, many parents don't have the heart to deprive their children of something considered by society (and the board) as a 'treat.' But as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy so accurately pointed out, it is a form of poison and an addictive one at that. Just examine the percentage of people suffering the effects of Type 2 diabetes. That one disease alone accounts for enormous health care costs — costs that the government must absorb when a patient is on Medicare or Medicaid. So, the government indeed has a vested interest in controlling the manufacturing and consumption of sugar. Ferrara Candy Co. CEO Katie Duffy stated that 'everything we produce is safe to eat.' That does not mean it is 'healthy' to eat! The board states that it has 'long recoiled against Uncle Sam telling Americans what to eat.' And that 'if a food product is safe from a scientific standpoint, the government has no business blocking it from the marketplace.' Again, that ignores the fact that the government shares some of the burden for the cost of medical care for the health disorders caused by sugar consumption. And just to enlighten the board further, pay for the government. So, it costs us all as a whole. The board further states that 'armed with that information, we believe people are smart enough to make their own decisions without Nanny State intervention.' The board has to be joking. It gives people far more credit than they deserve. Sugar is being consumed in quantities that most people are not likely aware of. And that is what I think Kennedy is trying to address. I appreciate what he is trying to achieve, and the board should as well. Keep in mind that a country is only as strong and as healthy as its people. We have an epidemic of obesity in this country. Don't gloss over the facts in the name of some false sense of sovereignty over and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is absolutely correct about the American diet. There's too much salt, sugar and bad fat; not enough fiber; and too many additives. The consequences are substantial: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, cancer and more. He is dead wrong about vaccinations, 'dead' not being just an expression: People are going to die, needlessly. During a measles epidemic in Samoa, Kennedy campaigned against vaccination; too few people were vaccinated, thousands got sick and dozens died. Almost all healthy individuals who get measles completely recover. About 1 in 1,000, however, will have serious complications or die. Great odds in a casino but not for a preventable disease. In contrast, there have been no reports of the measles vaccine causing death in healthy people, and the incidence of permanent harm is less than 1 in 500,000. Kennedy's efforts to restrict the messenger RNA-based COVID-19 vaccine is not based on credible evidence of significant harm. Worldwide, at least 5 billion people have received COVID-19 vaccinations, including hundreds of millions of Americans. Many have sore arms, and some, brief flulike illness. Very rarely does serious short-term illness occur. In contrast, more than 1 million Americans have died from COVID-19, and 20 million Americans have been diagnosed with long COVID-19, sometimes with debilitating symptoms. People who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 have dramatically lower rates of hospitalization, death and long COVID-19. Kennedy proposes a clinical trial against a placebo to test the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. In any clinical trial, when the drug being studied against a placebo is found to be safe and effective, the trial is stopped. The safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine has already been proved; there is no need for a trial. Kennedy's proclamation restricting recommending who should receive the vaccination is medical idiocy. Infants have poorly developed immune systems and are very vulnerable to infections, including COVID-19. If pregnant women are vaccinated, their babies get some protection against COVID-19. Being under 65 is no guarantee against COVID-19 causing hospitalization or death, and the incidence of some forms of long COVID-19 is actually higher in young people. It is worth noting that Kennedy made these recommendations on his own without input from recognized experts. There is a new COVID-19 variant, and the need for vaccinations is still great. When the Senate confirmed Kennedy, it failed the American J. Medley's letter ('What our nation needs,' May 29) regarding President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill,' which has been passed by the House, is on point but misses one very important issue. This bill contains a buried provision seeking to limit courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, from enforcing their rulings or orders. In short, it states: 'No court of the United States may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order if no security was given when the injunction or order was issued.' What I have read says that this means the courts cannot enforce decisions unless the plaintiffs have posted a bond. Federal courts do not require plaintiffs to post bonds; therefore, this provision would mean that the courts would not be able to enforce their rulings. And Trump and his administration could proceed to do anything they want to, regardless of whether it is unconstitutional. When setting up the federal government, our Founding Fathers did not feel any one person should have all the power. Therefore, they set up a government of three equal parts: executive (president), legislative (Congress) and judicial (Supreme Court). Trump has already taken over the legislative aspect — with no pushback from the Republican majority — by overturning many aspects of the government and funding that had previously been put in place by Congress. Now he wants to make judicial rulings unenforceable. If Trump does that, he will be king. This country was developed as a democracy, and I believe the majority of Americans do not want a king. Readers should call their senators and demand this bill not be passed with this provision in it. Save our democracy and our Constitution!I'm thrilled National Public Radio has legally challenged the administration's misguided executive order targeting its appropriately sourced federal funds and relationships with local stations. I've grown accustomed to the measured objectivity and factual analysis of the reporting through daily programs such as 'All Things Considered' and 'Morning Edition.' We financially support NPR's frequent funding drives, the real lifeblood of its operations, not only because its revenues significantly rely on voluntary contributions by listeners, but also due to its prize-winning journalism that opens our eyes to hard-hitting domestic and international news analysis. The president's bizarre claims that NPR fails to provide 'fair, accurate or unbiased' programming can be summarily rejected by those who actually listen to the variety of viewpoints included. NPR routinely covers important events like it did with the president's speech to a joint session of Congress in March and even presented rare audio of Supreme Court oral arguments about the birthright citizenship case, followed by riveting independent coverage. Cutting this funding is more than just a violation of free speech. America should refrain from emulating autocratic leaders in other societies that deliberately silence views it does not Public Radio is suing President Donald Trump's administration because it stopped taxpayer funding to the network; NPR contends that curtails its free speech. What nonsense. NPR remains free to utter what it wants, but the public does not need to pay for it. NPR can fund itself and say whatever it pleases. Its reflexive lawsuit is frivolous and vexatious without merit.
CNBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Travelers are taking ‘a more frugal approach' to summer vacations this year, expert says
Earlier this spring, consumers were feeling good about their summer vacation prospects. More people were planning to take a trip compared to last year, and summer travel budgets were up, too, according to a new report from Deloitte. But just a few weeks later — after President Donald Trump announced widescale tariffs and the stock market dropped precipitously, bubbling up recession fears — some would-be vacationers abruptly scaled back their spending plans, a second round of the survey found. About 53% of respondents plan to take leisure vacations this summer, up from 48% in 2024, according to a new report by Deloitte. The report is based on two surveys: one was conducted between March 26 and April 1, 2025, and another between April 7 and April 9. The first survey reached 1,794 travelers and 2,132 non-travelers while the second reached 1,064 travelers and 880 non-travelers. Initially, Deloitte found, the average summer travel budget was set to grow 21% year over year, to $4,967. In the second round of the survey, travelers expected to spend just 13% more than last year, or about $4,606. When looking at budgets for their longest trip of the season, respondents initially planned to spend an average $3,987, 13% more than 2024. That anticipated budget declined to $3,471 in the second poll, an increase of less than 1% from a year ago. More from Personal Finance:Trade tensions drive consumers to cut backStudent loan borrowers brace for wage garnishmentHouse Republican tax bill favors the rich — how much they stand to gain, and why Deloitte conducted a second poll because the firm noticed "softness" in consumer spending across other areas of their research, said Kate Ferrara, the transportation, hospitality and services sector leader at Deloitte. "We still see a strong summer travel season, but perhaps with a more frugal approach," said Ferrara. Broadly, travel costs have declined, which may help travelers looking to stretch their budget. Hotel room rates are down 2.4% from a year ago, according to a recent report by NerdWallet. Rental car costs are also down 2.1% in that same timeframe, while airfares are down 7.9%. Round-trip domestic airfare for this summer is averaging $265 per ticket, according to the 2025 summer outlook by Hopper, a travel site. That's down 3% from $274 in 2024 and down 8% since 2019, the lowest level in three years. Travel costs for international travel are generally down, said Hayley Berg, the lead economist at Hopper. The average round-trip airfare between the U.S. and Europe, the most popular international destination, costs $850 per ticket this summer, down 8% from 2024, Hopper found. In spite of slightly lower prices for travel, people are generally spending more due to inflation, and might have less leftover money to spend on non-essential items like travel, said Deloitte's Ferrara. Of those who reduced their summer travel budgets, 34% of respondents plan to cut back on their in-destination spending activity, such as food or paid guided excursions, Deloitte found. About 30% plan to stay with family and friends instead of paying for lodging, and 21% chose to drive instead of flying to their destination. You can also save money this summer if you can be flexible with things like when you take the time off, your destination, what you do while you're there and your mode of transportation, experts say. "The root of all of our hacks for saving this summer is flexibility," said Berg. Airfare tends to spike or be higher during federal holiday weekends like the Fourth of July and Labor Day, Hopper found. This year, prices on these weekends will be about 34% higher compared to other weekends. Instead of flying in the middle of the summer, consider delaying trips toward the end of the season, in late August or even early September, Berg said. Both price and travel demand will typically drop off by then as the new school year starts and employees go back to regular work schedules, she said. What's more, flying in the middle of the week can help save as much as 20% on airfare, per the site's report. Traveling on a Tuesday or Wednesday can also help vacationers save about $67 on a round trip domestic flight this summer, Hopper found. That flexibility can help travelers save over $100 on international trips to Europe or Asia.
Medscape
27-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Newly Approved Mepolizumab Mitigates COPD Exacerbations
Adding mepolizumab to inhaled triple therapy significantly improved exacerbation outcomes compared with placebo in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), based on data from the MATINEE study presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2025 International Conference. Based on these findings, mepolizumab is newly approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of COPD according to manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline. 'This decision is good news for patients because it allows more options for care, and it is good news for the future of COPD treatment in that there are now more options showing targets previously not identified that can improve patient outcomes,' said co-author Gerard J. Criner, MD, of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, in a statement following the approval. Patients with COPD and type 2 inflammation are at an increased risk for frequent and severe exacerbations that may require hospitalization or emergency department visits, Alberto Papi, MD, of the University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy, and colleagues wrote in their abstract. Mepolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-5 (IL-5), significantly reduced COPD exacerbations in patients with COPD regardless of the history or severity of exacerbations in a phase 3 study known as MATINEE, the researchers wrote. In the study, the researchers randomized 804 adults aged 40 years or older with COPD to a subcutaneous dose of 100 mg of mepolizumab every 4 weeks for 52-104 weeks, or a placebo, in addition to the inhaled triple therapy of a fluticasone propionate dose of at least 500 μg/d or the equivalent, plus dual long-acting bronchodilators. Approximately 21% of the patients had a history of severe exacerbations in the past years. The mean age of the participants was approximately 66 years, and at least two thirds were men. Overall, patients treated with mepolizumab had a 21% reduced annualized rate of moderate to severe exacerbations compared with patients treated with placebo, with rate ratios of 0.75 and 0.79 for subgroups with and without a history of severe exacerbations, respectively. In addition, patients with a history of severe exacerbations had a 32% reduced rate of exacerbations requiring an emergency department visit or hospital stay. The results were durable as well, the researchers noted. The significant difference in exacerbation rates between patients treated with mepolizumab and those treated with placebo was observed at 1 year and continued for up to 104 weeks of treatment. The incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events was similar in the mepolizumab and placebo groups, the most common of which was exacerbation of COPD (11% and 15% for serious adverse events in the mepolizumab and placebo groups, respectively). Takeaways and Next Steps The researchers were surprised that mepolizumab's significant clinical impact on exacerbation reduction extended to such a broad group of patients with COPD, including those who did or did not have chronic bronchitis, and those with evidence of emphysema, Criner said in an interview. 'That mepolizumab could decrease emergency room visits and hospitalization is a significant benefit for patients,' he added. Mepolizumab made all its primary and key secondary end points with a robust safety profile, said Criner. 'Patients with COPD who have type 2 inflammation can benefit from biologic therapy, regardless of the severity of underlying airflow obstruction with or without the absence of chronic bronchitis or emphysema to reduce moderate and severe exacerbations,' he said. Additional research should target different pathways and patients who have inflammation with COPD, such as types 1 and 3, Criner noted. Approval Sparks Enthusiasm 'I'm excited to have another option to treat COPD patients who have elevated eosinophils and frequent exacerbations,' said study co-author Meilan Han, MD, of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, in an interview. 'I'd like additional research to help us understand which patients experience the best response in terms of lung function and symptoms,' she added. The approval will change care of patients with COPD who are already maximized on inhaler therapies and continue to have exacerbations, 'as this is the only biologic approved for patients with blood eosinophils <= 300 cells/µL,' said Arianne K. Baldomero, MD, a pulmonologist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, in an interview. 'The cost could be prohibitive (annual cost is almost $50,000 per year); so patients should explore insurance coverage, manufacturer assistance programs, nonprofit financial support, and discount cards to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses for mepolizumab,' she said. 'The MATINEE study was important because, despite optimal triple inhaler therapy, many high-risk patients continue to experience frequent COPD exacerbations. This trial evaluated whether adding a new therapy can further reduce exacerbations in this high-risk COPD population,' said Baldomero. However, as with other biologics, when or whether mepolizumab can be safely discontinued, and whether the risk for COPD exacerbations will return upon stopping remains unclear, said Baldomero. 'Additionally, there is limited evidence to guide whether inhaler therapies can be withdrawn while on biologics, and more research is needed to determine optimal treatment duration,' she said. Expanded MATINEE Findings Offer More Insights Several other studies of MATINEE findings were presented at the meeting. In one study, data showed that mepolizumab reduced exacerbations in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities compared with placebo. Post hoc analyses of data from the MATINEE study also were presented at the meeting to examine the effectiveness of mepolizumab in various subgroups. In one post hoc analysis, patients treated with mepolizumab had lower mean healthcare resource use per exacerbation in terms of emergency department visits, urgent care/outpatient clinic visits, and days in intensive care than patients treated with placebo. Another analysis of MATINEE study data showed that, compared with placebo, mepolizumab significantly improved exacerbation rates in patients with severely restricted airflow based on the GOLD criteria. An additional post hoc analysis showed that, compared with placebo, mepolizumab's association with improved exacerbation rates was consistent regardless of duration of COPD. Mepolizumab has been developed for the treatment of a range of IL-5 mediated diseases associated with type 2 inflammation and is also approved for use in the United States and Europe for severe asthma, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, hypereosinophilic syndrome, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, according to manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline. The MATINEE study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline. Criner disclosed receiving consulting fees and research funds from GlaxoSmithKline. Han disclosed serving as a consultant for GlaxoSmithKline and multiple relationships with pharmaceutical companies outside of the MATINEE study.
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Furious NYC moms rail against toxins in kid foods
Tara Ferrara's 7-year-old daughter began suffering from a baffling mix of symptoms four years ago — nausea, stomach pain and sudden, intense panic that struck without warning. As dozens of doctors worked to pinpoint the cause, they put the girl on a strict diet low in highly processed foods and free of gluten, dairy, corn, soy and histamines. For Ferrara, 39, figuring out what her daughter could safely eat was like trying to understand a foreign language. Advertisement 8 The Ferrara family strives to follow a diet packed with clean, whole foods. Clarissa Byrne 'Sometimes I feel like I can't work because I literally need to research food,' Ferrara, a speech and language pathologist from Brooklyn, told The Post. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) make up nearly 70% of calories in American kids' diets — and a jaw-dropping new White House report warns they may be fueling the nationwide rise in childhood chronic diseases. Advertisement The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission's report marks the Trump administration's first major push to confront what it calls a 'crisis' affecting more than 40% of young people across the country. 'We will follow the truth wherever it leads, uphold rigorous science, and drive bold policies that put the health, development and future of every child first,' HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., said Thursday. Two New York moms raising children with chronic health issues told The Post that it can be an uphill battle to keep their kids' diets clean in a country where UPFs dominate supermarket shelves. UPFs explained Advertisement While there's no single, universally accepted definition, UPFs are generally packaged, ready-to-eat products that undergo extensive industrial processing to boost their flavor, texture and shelf life. They're often loaded with added sugar, salt, unhealthy fats and refined grains — and packed with preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, emulsifiers and stabilizers not commonly used in home cooking. 8 Most Americans don't go a day without eating ultra-processed foods. beats_ – UPFs usually contain little to no fruits, vegetables or whole grains and are typically low in fiber and other essential nutrients. Advertisement Researchers estimate that about 70% of the 300,000-plus branded food products in grocery stores fall into this category. Food fight Two years into the strict diet, Ferrara is still navigating the minefield — and slip-ups come with serious consequences. '[Food] really, really affects her and can trigger a flare-up where she's so uncomfortable gut-wise and brain-wise that she can't go to school,' said Ferrara, who co-owns Social City, which provides social support services for children. One recent mistake? The gluten-free, dairy-free pancakes her daughter eats every morning. Turns out they contain a corn-derived additive called maltodextrin — something Ferrara only discovered after calling the manufacturer. 'It was one of the ingredients that my eyes just skipped over, because I don't know what that is,' she said. 'Unknowingly, every morning I was giving her these gluten-free, dairy-free pancakes that actually have something that is highly inflammatory and ultra-processed.' 8 Food labels are frequently cited as a source of confusion for consumers. rosinka79 – The MAHA report warns that more than 2,500 food additives can be pumped into UPFs — all to enhance taste and texture and stretch shelf life. Advertisement Some additives have been linked to serious health concerns, including behavioral disorders, metabolic issues and even cancer. Take Red 40, for example. This food dye is found in popular snacks like Skittles and Doritos, as well as drinks like Pepsi. It has been tied to increased hyperactivity and irritability in children, especially if they have ADHD, and can trigger allergic reactions in others. Meanwhile, research shows titanium dioxide, found in everything from candies to sauces, may damage cells and even DNA. Then there are artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose and saccharin, which some studies suggest can disrupt the gut microbiome — a key player in metabolism, weight control and blood sugar regulation. Advertisement 8 Red dye 40 is also known as Allura Red AC. taidundua – Ferrara's younger daughter, 4, doesn't have food sensitivities — but keeping her diet clean is still a challenge. At school, playdates and other places outside the home, junk food is nearly impossible to avoid. 'She doesn't get directly affected immediately after she eats, but I know it's doing harm to her over the long term,' Ferrara said. 'Just because it doesn't outrightly show on every single person doesn't mean it's not doing the same damage internally.' According to the White House report, ultra-processed grains — found in cakes, cookies, breads and snack foods — dominate children's diets. These products are stripped of their bran and germ, removing essential fiber, vitamins and minerals. Advertisement 'The stripping of these components can lead to blood sugar spikes, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes,' the report states. The sugar situation is just as grim. Ultra-processed sugars can be found in 75% of packaged foods. The average American consumes 17 teaspoons of added sugar a day — amounting to a whopping 60 pounds a year. 8 Many American children exceed the recommended daily limits for added sugar. HandmadePictures – Advertisement This sugar overload — especially from high-fructose corn syrup and other additives — may be playing a 'significant role' in the nation's rise of childhood obesity, Type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, according to the report. But it's not just the ingredients — it's what industrial processing does to them. The MAHA report warns that processing alters fiber content, caloric density and digestibility in ways that can hijack hunger hormones, short-circuit satiety signals and damage the gut microbiome. 'It shouldn't be so hard to protect your family,' Ferrara said. 'They need to be more transparent with what's in the food, but also how it's processed.' Toxic situation Astoria mom Carissa Serralta has always strived to feed her kids a healthy diet — but it wasn't until one of her newborn twin daughters was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, MCAD deficiency, that she saw just how flooded grocery stores are with ultra-processed junk. The condition prevents her now 2-year-old, Mila, from properly metabolizing fats from seed oils like palm, coconut and avocado. 8 Serralta's daughter's condition has changed the whole family's eating habits. Clarissa Serralta 'Eighty to 90% of the brands you see on the shelf she can't have,' Serralta told The Post. 'It could be anywhere from pasta to tortillas to Cheez-Its.' That became a nightmare when she couldn't produce enough breast milk — and realized nearly all baby formulas on the market are loaded with seed oils. 'They say breast is best, but if you don't have milk for your baby and you have no choice but to give them formula, and the formula has bad ingredients, what do you do?' she mused. 'Your baby has to be fed.' 8 Seed oils are common in packaged and processed foods. alex9500 – Doctors told Serralta to give Mila tiny doses of seed oils to build tolerance for formula — but that led to months of relentless diarrhea. The MAHA report notes that seed oils have flooded the US food supply, overtaking animal-based fats like butter and lard in American diets over the past century. Finding safe foods has become 'a full-time job' for Serralta. Many of the items her daughter can eat aren't available locally, forcing her to shop online or cook everything from scratch. If Mila accidentally eats seed oil, it means an upset stomach, which Serralta said is painful but manageable. She is thankful it's not something more severe like a peanut or gluten allergy. 8 Mila Walpole can't eat many store-bought foods due to her seed oil intolerance. Clarissa Serralta The White House report highlights that childhood food allergies have soared 88% since 1997, while celiac disease in kids has jumped fivefold since the '80s. The diagnosis didn't just change what Mila eats — it transformed the rest of the family's eating habits. Serralta shudders at the thought of her older son previously eating ultra-processed snacks. 'It's almost a scary thought, because I was so unaware of this before I had the twins,' she said. And while she's no fan of the current administration, Serralta said she welcomes any effort to expand access to healthier foods. 'Less-processed foods have to be made available to all kids — it shouldn't just be online where people with lower incomes can't access it,' she said.
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Grocery industry fights for SNAP as program faces massive cuts
The top trade organizations representing supermarkets are urgently calling attention to the importance of SNAP as a proposal that would slash the government assistance program's funding moves forward in Congress as part of a tax-cut megabill. Last week, the House Agriculture Committee advanced legislation that would cut as much as $300 billion in nutrition spending as well as overhaul SNAP by requiring states to help fund the program's benefits, Politico reported. On Sunday, the House Budget Committee passed the tax cut bill, clearing the way for a House floor vote, which could happen this week, Reuters reported. SNAP cuts on the federal level would help fund the party's domestic policy plan and some farm bill programs, Politico noted. The chairman of the House Agriculture Committee has said that too many "work-ready" people are on SNAP, arguing for stricter work requirements for participants in the food assistance program. The proposed cuts come at a time when consumers continue to worry about their grocery spending and how trade policies could potentially increase the cost of goods, including food. Walmart is bringing back its $6.99 minimum basket fee for SNAP consumers who place online orders under $35, Reuters reported at the end of April. As of February, more than 42 million people participate in SNAP, up 2% from the same time last year, according to the USDA. SNAP accounts for around 5% of all supermarket purchases, the FMI - The Food Industry Association shared during a webinar last week, and retailers have shared with investors how reductions in SNAP funding can hurt their sales. SNAP is "very well received across the political spectrum," Jennifer Hatcher, FMI's chief public policy officer and senior vice president of government and member relations, said during the webinar. Fifty-nine percent of people are opposed to cutting or reducing SNAP funding, while one-third are in favor, Hatcher said, citing a survey of 1,000 people Fabrizio, Lee & Associates and FMI conducted in late April. The proposed SNAP cuts have struck a dissonant chord with the grocery industry, with the National Grocers Association saying it is "deeply concerned by the cuts and programmatic cost shift changes" in the proposed legislation. "SNAP is not only essential to fighting food insecurity, but [is] also a proven economic engine for thousands of local communities across the country," NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara said in a statement on Tuesday. SNAP funding not only addresses food insecurity but also supports the economies of local communities, such as by generating over $4.5 billion in state and federal tax revenue annually, Ferrara noted. The trade association had previously cited data that every $1 invested in SNAP generates $1.79 of economic activity in communities. "[The] committee's proposal to shift costs to states is a concern given the challenging headwinds that states face," Ferrara said. Earlier in May, the NGA said it met with representatives of four Democratic members of Congress to urge Congress to limit SNAP funding cuts. "We urge Congress to pursue balanced reforms and solutions that strengthen the program, eliminate waste and fraud, and uphold the health and economic well-being of American families, while preserving American jobs in our food chain and grocery industry," Ferrara said last week. FMI is advocating for the continuation of federal governance of SNAP to ensure continuity. "We believe complex, differing SNAP restrictions sorted by states would cause delays, errors and disputes, further slowing the checkout speeds, frustrating customers and increasing operational costs," Hatcher said. By a 57%-to-39% margin, survey respondents want a single national standard on what SNAP can be used for, according to FMI. To help ensure stakeholders have up-to-date information as discussion of SNAP policy changes continues, FMI recently launched a new website to provide the survey data and serve as a resource for information about the current discussions around SNAP. Along with the federal proposal, approximately 25 states this year have considered restricting SNAP participants from buying specific items like candy and soda, and those state policy changes would require getting a waiver from the USDA, Hatcher said, noting that Arkansas, Indiana, Nebraska and Iowa have already submitted waiver requests. FMI has pushed back on efforts to limit how SNAP participants use their benefits, noting that "the best results" are those that make resources available like dietitian-supported recipes or curated shopping experiences, Hatcher said. FMI has said that different state policies could confuse shoppers and retailers. "The future strength of this program isn't just a policy issue-it's a moral imperative and an economic necessity," Leslie G. Sarasin, FMI president and CEO, said in a statement. Peyton Bigora contributed reporting. Copyright 2025 Industry Dive. All rights reserved.
