I urge you to oppose House Bill 2107 when it comes before the House Rural Economic Development Committee on Thursday. This legislation would eliminate a critical lifeline for Arizona's most vulnerable residents by restricting their ability to purchase prepared meals through SNAP.
Representative Martinez's bill directs the Department of Economic Security to seek a federal waiver prohibiting SNAP enrollees from purchasing fast food. While this may sound reasonable on the surface, it ignores the reality of who actually uses this option. Only 3% of SNAP recipients qualify for the Restaurant Meals Program, a carefully targeted exception that exists specifically for people who cannot prepare their own meals. This includes elderly Arizonans living without cooking facilities, people with disabilities who cannot safely use a kitchen, and individuals experiencing homelessness who lack access to food preparation equipment.
The bill defines fast food as "mass-produced food designed for commercial resale with a strong priority placed on speed of service." Under this broad definition, the restriction would eliminate one of the few options available to disabled, elderly, and homeless Arizonans to access hot, prepared meals. For someone in a wheelchair without a kitchen, for a senior citizen without the physical ability to cook, or for someone living in their car, this restriction doesn't promote better nutrition. It simply makes eating more difficult and potentially impossible.
Current SNAP rules already prohibit restaurant purchases for the vast majority of recipients. The existing carve-out represents thoughtful policy that recognizes not everyone has equal access to cooking facilities. Eliminating this option doesn't address any real problem. It just punishes people already facing extraordinary challenges.
I ask you to vote no on HB 2107 and preserve meal access for the small percentage of SNAP recipients who depend on prepared food options for their basic nutrition and survival.
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