COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina lawmaker is challenging Gov. Nikki Haley and the state's DSS director to try to eat healthy foods on a food stamp budget for one week.
Rep. Bakari Sellers said he's committed to shopping for healthy foods in his district, but he added that poverty and obesity is not caused just by unhealthy foods, but rather expenses and access to healthy alternatives. He said a better alternative is to start in schools and keep unhealthy foods away from children.
State officials on Thursday said they had asked the federal agency that administers the food stamp program to start discussing ways to change in hopes of cutting down on obesity.
Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey called Sellers' challenge "just another political opportunity" for the legislator to "exploit for personal gain."
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