Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D) has reintroduced the Supporting All Healthy Options When Purchasing Produce (SHOPP) Act, which aims to expand the flexibility of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to include frozen produce and legumes. The bill is designed to provide more food choices for families, particularly those living in food deserts.
Announcing the bill’s reintroduction on X, Rep. Crockett criticized her Republican colleagues, accusing them of wanting to limit funding for food assistance programs.
https://x.com/RepJasmine/status/1899201286144233901
“While the GOP continues to underfund SNAP and food access to families in Trump’s economy, I am working to expand the flexibility of SNAP benefits to include frozen produce and legumes by reintroducing the Supporting All Healthy Options When Purchasing Produce (or ‘SHOPP’) Act,” she wrote on X.
The SHOPP Act would allow SNAP recipients to use their benefits to purchase a wider range of nutritious food options. Currently, while fresh produce is covered under SNAP, restrictions exist on frozen fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Supporters of the bill argue that frozen options provide the same nutritional value as fresh produce while offering a longer shelf life and reducing food waste.
Rep. Crockett highlighted these benefits in her social media post, writing, “For families who live in food deserts like those in Dallas, frozen fruits and veggies are a great addition to their shopping abilities – they have a longer shelf life without sacrificing their nutritional value AND cut food waste by 47%!”
Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in many communities across the country, particularly in urban and rural areas where access to fresh produce is limited. Supporters of the SHOPP Act argue that expanding SNAP benefits to include frozen options would help families maintain a balanced diet while also making food assistance programs more effective.
