RFK Jr. Advocates for Healthier Food Choices in West Virginia
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey to push for the elimination of soda from SNAP benefits, emphasizing the ‘food is medicine’ philosophy.
In a significant move to combat the chronic disease crisis, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health and Human Services Secretary and leader of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, joined West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey in Martinsburg. The event marked a pivotal moment as Morrisey signed letters of intent to seek waivers that would allow West Virginia to remove soda from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit eligibility.
During the news conference, Kennedy praised Morrisey’s initiative and reiterated the MAHA movement’s core belief that ‘food is medicine.’ This statement, according to MAHA advocate and TrueMed co-founder Calley Means, was a historic moment, as no HHS secretary had ever publicly declared such a stance before. Means emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of chronic diseases through dietary changes, particularly by targeting the consumption of sodas and ultra-processed foods.
Governor Morrisey outlined his four pillars for a healthier West Virginia, which include ensuring that taxpayer-funded nutrition programs promote wholesome and nourishing food choices. He also announced plans to eliminate harmful food dyes and additives from school lunches, following recent legislation that prohibits certain dyes in school meals.
The move to exclude soda from SNAP benefits has sparked debate. Meredith Potter, senior vice president of the American Beverage Association, argued that soda is not the primary driver of obesity in the U.S., pointing out that soda consumption has declined even as obesity rates have risen. She also expressed concern that restricting SNAP benefits could unfairly limit choices for those in need.
However, Means countered that the goal is not to take soda away from anyone but to prevent taxpayer subsidies from supporting soda companies. He stressed that the initiative aims to promote healthier food options and address the affordability issues that many SNAP participants face when trying to maintain a healthy diet.
The MAHA movement’s efforts are gaining traction across the country, with similar bills targeting nutrition in schools being introduced in various states. In February, the Arizona House of Representatives passed the Healthy Schools Act, banning ultra-processed foods with harmful additives from public school meals.
As the debate over food policy and public health continues, Kennedy’s ‘food is medicine’ message is resonating with advocates and policymakers alike, signaling a potential shift towards more holistic approaches to combating chronic diseases through dietary changes.