There are 1.7 million people in New York City alone who receive food stamps. 57 percent of adults in New York City and 40 percent of children in New York City public schools are overweight or obese. One in eight adult city residents now has diabetes, and the disease is nearly twice as common among poorer New Yorkers as it is among wealthier ones. Diabetes rates in the low-income neighborhood of East New York, for instance, are four times those in affluent Gramercy Park.
The City of New York wants to help prevent childhood obesity. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson of NY are seeking permission from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the nation’s food stamp program, to add sugary drinks to the list of prohibited goods for city residents receiving assistance for two years. In other words, those who rely on food stamps monthly to feed their family will not be allowed to purchase soda products with their food stamps. If approved, it would be the first time an item would be banned from the federal program based solely on nutritional value.
I think this is for the best! What are your thoughts? Should soda be banned?
