Information about the Aspen Ideas Festival is here. I am scheduled for a session, The American Wellness Paradox, currently scheduled from 11:00-11:50 a.m., at the East Lawn Tent. This will be a discussion with senior HHS policy advisor, Calley Means. Here’s the blurb on it: “Americans are spending more than ever on healthcare, supplements, wellness trends, and “clean eating,” yet rates of chronic disease and metabolic illness continue to climb. As skepticism fuels the rise of movements like MAHA, debates over what Americans should eat have become deeply cultural, political, and economic. Two influential voices with sharply different perspectives on nutrition and food science explore how food systems, farming practices, consumer culture, and the wellness industry collided to create one of the defining public health debates of our time.”
by Marion Nestle
May
4
2017
Widespread public support for SNAP changes
Voice of the People has the results of a survey finding that most respondents support:
- Increased benefits for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps) recipients [81%].
- The idea that SNAP benefits should not be permitted to be used for candy and sodas [73-76%].
- Providing incentives to encourage SNAP beneficiaries to eat more fruits and vegetables [90%].
Politico commented (April 26):
The findings suggest there is a massive divide between the public and Congress on SNAP issues. There is currently no feasible discussion of raising SNAP benefits, and a recent House Agriculture Committee hearing on SNAP restrictions showcased that there is bipartisan opposition to the idea on the committee.
Documents
- The findings of the report
- The survey questionnaire
- A recent study: What foods and beverages SNAP recipients are buying (“room for improvement”)
