SNAP

As an increasing number of Florida EBT recipients have to meet work requirements, the state faces a potentially significant tab from the federal government.

SNAP recipients should receive their benefits in October. The White House also pledged to keep WIC operational using tariff revenues.

On "Florida Matters," we run down the grocery list of how inflation and big changes to SNAP benefits are affecting Tampa Bay families and beyond. Plus, a pediatrician talks about healthy school lunch options.

Beginning Jan. 1, SNAP recipients in Florida will no longer be able to use the benefit on soda, energy drinks, candy or prepared desserts like packaged cakes and cookies.

As the U.S. House of Representatives debates President Donald Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill Act," a coalition of faith-based groups in Florida are making a last-minute plea to the state's Republican-dominated congressional delegation to vote against it because of the deep proposed federal funding cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Congress is close to cutting at least $200 billion from SNAP over 10 years and shifting some of the remaining costs to states. A single mom in Tampa says that would impact her ability to feed her kids.

Michelle Mastrototaro worries about her family, especially her special needs teen, as lawmakers debate the "Big, Beautiful Bill." She and other foes of the plan made their case at a media event in Tallahassee.

The AP-NORC survey of 1,158 adults shows most don't think the government is overspending on the programs Republicans in Congress have focused on cutting.

House Republicans recently passed their version that would make historic cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Debate over the measure now moves to the Senate.

The changes, which would take effect in the fiscal year beginning October 2027, would help offset the GOP's proposed $4.9 trillion in federal tax cuts.

The Trump administration's "Make America Healthy Again" platform has boosted the agenda of a conservative think tank that's been working for more than a decade to reshape the nation's public assistance programs.

Cuts to the grocery assistance program could undermine Fresh Access Bucks, which has been successful at addressing nutritional food deserts and supporting local growers.