The House Concurrent Resolution, introduced by Representative Romero, urges the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services to seek a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to eliminate unhealthy foods from the list of items that can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The resolution highlights the concerning obesity rates in Louisiana, where approximately 40% of adults and 20% of high school students are classified as obese. It emphasizes the health risks associated with obesity, including a higher likelihood of developing serious illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, as well as the financial burden of obesity-related medical care, which was estimated at nearly $173 billion in 2019.

The resolution also points out that the current USDA guidelines allow SNAP recipients to purchase unhealthy foods like candy and chips, which contributes to poor dietary habits among vulnerable populations. To address this issue, the resolution calls for the Department of Children and Family Services to collaborate with medical and nutrition experts to identify specific unhealthy foods to be removed from the SNAP-approved list if the waiver is granted. The overarching goal is to promote healthier eating habits among families receiving SNAP benefits, thereby improving public health outcomes in Louisiana.