A coalition of Ohio-based and national trade organizations including OhioBev opposes language in Substitute House Bill 96 that would restrict SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) purchases and SB 161 which also proposes broad restrictions. The coalition argues that SNAP restrictions:
• Fail to achieve intended goals: Restrictions would not improve public health outcomes or
reduce SNAP spending, as they do not affect the overall cost of the program—only what
products may be purchased.
• Expand government bureaucracy: Creating a separate state-level SNAP restriction program would require Ohio to implement and manage a complex and costly system to determine which of over 600,000 food items are “acceptable” or not.
• Burden retailers: Implementation would demand costly updates to retail systems, employee training, and increased compliance tasks. It could lead to workforce loss and jeopardize businesses, especially in low-income and rural communities.
• Hurt Ohio’s food economy: The coalition represents the interconnected nature of the food supply chain—from farmers and manufacturers to retailers—and notes that the nonalcoholic beverage industry alone supports over 12,000 jobs in Ohio. The broader retail sector accounts for 1 in 4 jobs in the state, and food/agriculture is Ohio’s largest industry.
The coalition urges lawmakers to support proven public-private programs like Produce Perks and SNAP-Ed, which incentivize healthy choices without imposing restrictions. It also champions consumer choice and free-market principles, advocating for education and access rather than regulation.
Finally, the coalition argues that SNAP purchase restrictions would send a negative message to businesses and would do more harm than good, undermining job growth and economic development in Ohio. Both bills await further action in the Ohio General Assembly.
Coalition Members include:
Ohio Bakers Association
Ohio Beverage Association
Ohio Business Roundtable
Can Manufacturers Institute
Ohio Chamber of Commerce
Ohio Council of Retail Merchants
Ohio Dairy Producers Association
The Ohio Energy & Convenience Association
The Food Industry Association
Ohio Grocers Association
Ohio Manufacturers Association
Ohio Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
Ohio Wholesale Marketers Association
National Confectioners Association
SNAC International