Guest Columnist – SNAP restrictions punish communities that deserve support

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by our guest columnists do not reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of this publication.

Martha Espinoza, Greeley

As a childcare provider who runs a daycare out of my home in Greeley, I spend my days caring for young children and supporting families who are doing their best to get by. I also grow my own food, and I believe deeply in the importance of healthy eating.

I want to be clear: I understand the concern about sugary drinks. Too much sugar harms our health, and I agree we should be doing more to address that. But the proposed SNAP Healthy Choice Waiver is not the right solution.

In communities like mine—and in nearby parts of Weld County—access to healthy food is the real challenge. Many families rely on small convenience stores as their closest option, where affordable, healthy choices are limited. If this rule passes, families could be forced to travel 20 minutes or more—often with young children—just to use their benefits.

That’s not realistic for the families I work with, or for me as someone caring for multiple children during the day.

This policy is also confusing. Some drinks with high sugar content may still be allowed if they contain milk, while others with less sugar are restricted. Families without reliable internet, smartphones, or limited English will be left to figure it out at the register.

If we truly want healthier communities, families need more education and more access—not more restrictions. Right now, education programs that help families make healthier choices are being cut. At the same time, healthy options—like fresh juice or nutritious drinks—often cost far more than sugary ones.

We agree on the problem. But this solution places the burden on families instead of the corporations that profit from sugar.

Instead of taking choices away, we should invest in making healthy options more available and affordable. Our communities deserve support, not punishment.