ARLINGTON, VA — Earlier this week, the US Senate began consideration of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013, better known as the farm bill. Some proposals for the bill threaten to restrict certain food purchases through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the food stamp program. Target categories include snack foods.

The Snack Food Association (SFA) recently reiterated its support of efforts to educate consumers about nutrition, yet it noted that it opposes any revisions that would limit choice for participants at the federal and state levels.

“SNAP has been a target of attack due to the rapid expansion and significant size of the program,” SFA said in an Action Alert sent to its members.

SFA asked its members to contact senators this week to encourage them to vote against amendments to the farm bill that would limit SNAP choice. “Preventing restrictions to the SNAP program is a top legislative priority for SFA, and we appreciate you contacting your senators,” the organization said.