Taxpayer-Funded Junk Food

Episode summary:

Taxpayers in North Carolina just lost a common‑sense tool to keep SNAP focused on real food, not sugar bombs, thanks to one activist federal judge. This episode breaks down what Judge Amy Berman Jackson’s ruling actually does, why it undercuts the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again agenda, and how it keeps junk food flowing on your dime. We look at what it means for families here in Wilmington, why Democrats in Congress won’t touch reforms, and why tying assistance to healthy choices is basic fiscal sanity. If you’re paying the bill, you deserve to know why Washington is protecting Coca‑Cola over common sense.

What you’ll learn / Key moments

• 00:01 – Opening question: should SNAP dollars buy junk food?.
• 00:12 – Judge Amy Berman Jackson’s ruling and what it bans states from doing.
• 00:34 – Brooke Rollins’ response: “SNAP is for food — not sugar bombs” and why she’s right.
• 00:53 – How North Carolina’s waiver effort under Trump was blocked by an Obama‑appointed judge.
• 01:43 – Congress, stalled reform bills, and why taxpayers still subsidize soda and chips.

What you can do

If you’re tired of paying for junk food with your tax dollars, start local. Talk to your state legislators about putting real SNAP reforms back on the agenda, support leaders who are willing to tie benefits to basic nutrition, and share this episode with friends who think Washington always knows best. Demand that Congress move stalled bills out of committee, refuse to accept activist rulings as the last word, and keep the pressure on until taxpayer‑funded assistance actually supports healthy living instead of fueling obesity and higher medical costs.

Should people dependent on government assistance be allowed to buy junk food with your tax dollars?

This is the Wilmington Standard Daily Update for Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled on Monday that the United States Department of Agriculture can no longer grant waivers to states who want to limit the use of public funds to the purchase of healthy food.  Stating that Congress has already defined what “food” is, Judge Jackson ruled the agency does not have the authority to restrict those funds in any way. 

In response, the Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins wrote on X:

SNAP is for food — not sugar bombs fueling obesity, diabetes, and skyrocketing healthcare costs for low-income families.

An activist judge just blocked our commonsense restriction on using SNAP benefits for soda and junk.

SNAP is for food — not sugar bombs fueling obesity, diabetes, and skyrocketing healthcare costs for low-income families.

Taxpayers shouldn’t subsidize junk food and drinks at…

— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) June 23, 2026

She is right on all accounts.  What that means is right now, right here in Wilmington North Carolina a person receiving SNAP funds – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – can go out and buy cans of soda, bags of potato chips, and yards of licorice at your expense – and there isn’t anything you can do about it.

In 2017 North Carolina did apply for a waiver to restrict the use of SNAP benefits.  Under the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again agenda, those waivers seemed likely to be granted.

One activist judge appointed by President Barak Obama blocked it. 

It is now back to the drawing board for North Carolina and other states who realize that while tax payers may feel the need to foot the bill to help their fellow citizens find food, asking them to cover the cost of Coca Cola – which does not meet the definition of nutritional supplement in any way – is probably a bridge too far.

There are multiple bills in front of both houses of Congress to address this clear misuse of SNAP benefits.  None of them have any support from Democrats, and all are stuck in committee.  Which is insanity itself – as healthy food is the basis of healthy living – which reduces healthcare and other costs. 

And if someone is receiving SNAP – most likely we have to pay for their medical bills as well.

For the Wilmington Standard, I’m Reuel Sample.  Thanks for listening.