Congress introduces legislation to include multis in SNAP benefits

WASHINGTON — Earlier this week several Congress leaders introduced HR 3841, the SNAP Vitamin and Mineral Improvement Act of 2017, which allows for the inclusion of a multivitamin under Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.



“The introduction of this bill ensures that Americans of all socioeconomic statuses have the ability to add a multivitamin to their everyday routines to help them meet their basic nutritional needs," stated Mike Greene, SVP government relations, Council for Responsible Nutrition. "Studies show that low-income Americans are more likely to have insufficient and nutritionally inadequate diets. Research also demonstrates that Americans are falling short in a number of essential nutrients," he said. Allowing SNAP recipients to purchase a multivitamin with program benefits empowers them with an additional choice for themselves and their families, and makes achieving proper nutrition a right, not a luxury."



The bill was introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., and original cosponsors Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., Mia Love, R-Utah, and Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif.  



Nearly 43 million Americans are on SNAP, according to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, with each household receiving an average monthly benefit of approximately $253.



CRN will continue its efforts to help this bill gain momentum within Congress and attain increased support from both sides of the aisle, Greene noted.