Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- waiver / ˈweɪ vər / (n.) – an official document that indicates that someone/something has given up a right or requirement
Example:The company received a special waiver from the government to operate in the protected historical site.
- food insecurity / fud ˌɪn səˈkjʊr ə t̬i / (n.) – the condition of not having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of nutritious food
Example:Natural disasters often lead to widespread food insecurity in affected regions.
- punitive / ˈpyu nɪ tɪv / (adj.) – designed to punish someone/something
Example:The new policy focused on encouraging healthy choices instead of punitive restrictions like fines for unhealthy food.
- dignified / ˈdɪg nəˌfaɪd / (adj.) – being calm, respectful, and serious in a way that earns respect from others
Example:It’s important to provide people with a dignified way to get mental health support without feeling judged.
- advocacy / ˈæd və kə si / (n.) – public support for a particular idea, action, or plan
Example:They formed an advocacy group dedicated to animal protection.
Article
Read the text below.
Nebraska is the first state to receive a federal waiver to ban the purchase of soda and energy drinks under the benefit program for low-income Americans, long known as food stamps.
The move, announced by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, would affect about 152,000 people in Nebraska enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which helps families pay for groceries.
“There’s absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks,” Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said in a statement. “SNAP is about helping families in need get healthy food into their diets, but there’s nothing nutritious about the junk we’re removing with today’s waiver.”
Six other states—Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Indiana, Iowa and West Virginia—have also submitted requests for waivers banning certain foods and drinks or, in some cases, expanding access to hot foods for participants, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The push to ban sugary drinks, candy and more from the SNAP program has been a key focus of Rollins and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Rollins called the move “a historic step to Make America Healthy again.”
Details of Nebraska’s waiver, which takes effect January 1, weren’t immediately available. Anti-hunger advocates criticized it, saying it adds costs, boosts administrative burdens and increases stigma for people already facing food insecurity.
The waiver “ignores decades of evidence showing that incentive-based approaches—not punitive restrictions—are the most effective, dignified path to improving nutrition and reducing hunger,” said Gina Plata-Nino, a deputy director at the Food Research & Action Center, a nonprofit advocacy group.
SNAP is a roughly $100 billion program that serves about 42 million Americans and is run by the USDA and administered through states.
The program is authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, which says SNAP benefits can be used “for any food or food product intended for human consumption,” except alcohol, tobacco and hot foods, including those prepared for immediate consumption.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Nebraska has become the first state to ban the purchase of sodas and energy drinks using food stamps. Considering that food stamps are funded by the government, do you think the ban is fair? Why or why not? Discuss.
- If your government were to ban the production and sale of sodas, how would you feel? How do you think the public would react? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said that SNAP is about helping low-income families get healthy food in their diets. What does “healthy food” mean to you? Can you give some examples of foods you consider healthy and unhealthy? Discuss.
- Do you think it’s easy for everyone to access healthy food options where you live? Why or why not? Do you think a food stamp program would also be helpful to people in your country to get healthy food? Why or why not? Do you think your country has enough programs to help people get healthy food in their diets? Why or why not? Discuss.