Public Forums on Food Stamp Programs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control is conducting a series of forums to let the public recommend which foods they think should be removed from or should remain on the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) list of eligible foods. Today, two out of three South Carolinians are overweight or obese, say officials. Obesity is a major contributor to the diseases that kill the most people in our state, make the most people sick, and cost our state the most money to treat say experts. Research shows that by making better food choices, South Carolinians can prevent obesity and the deadly health problems that come with it say officials. At DHEC’s last obesity stakeholder meeting, Gov. Nikki Haley and S.C. Department of Social Services Director Lillian Koller recently announced a plan to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help South Carolinians who participate in SNAP eat healthy and avoid obesity. Currently, more than 878,000 South Carolinians participate in SNAP, commonly known as “food stamps,” receiving cash benefits of $1.4 billion per year. The list of eligible food items that can be purchased under SNAP includes almost all consumable products, regardless of an item‘s nutritional value. South Carolina now seeks to update its SNAP eligible foods list to better reflect the health needs of our state. The meetings will be held: March 21, 2013 5:30 – 7:30 PM Richland County Council Chambers 2020 Hampton Street Columbia, SC 29204 March 28, 2013 5:30 – 7:30 PM Bevis Conference Center Pee Dee Mental Health Center 125 East Cheves Street Florence, SC 29506 April 18, 2013 5:30 – 7:30 PM Greenville County Council Chambers (County Square) 301 University Ridge Greenville, SC 29601 May 2, 2013 5:30 – 7:30 PM Sterett Hall at the Navy Yard 1530 7th Street and Hobson Avenue North Charleston, SC 29405 Persons wishing to publicly comment during any of these meetings will be asked to register to speak at the door. For those unable to attend the meetings, comments can be submitted: “¢through DHEC’s online form at http://www.scdhec.gov/SNAP “¢via email at snapcomments@dhec.sc.gov “¢by calling toll-free 1-866-664-0483.