"I applaud the leadership of Commissioner Wilson to submit the waiver to the USDA and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue's quick approval."
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas –U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the approval of the request from Texas to provide online purchasing of food to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households. Texas’ SNAP participation is over 3.2 million individuals, more than 1.4 million households.
Many constituents living in food deserts are also members of at-risk populations being directed to maintain strict social distancing; the use of public transportation to travel to the grocery stores outside of their communities could endanger their health. The need for SNAP recipients to utilize online grocery delivery has never been more important because of the impact of COVID-19.
Texas' approval comes after Representative Johnson and 45 of his colleagues sent a letter to Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Phil Wilson urging HHSC to participate in this program.
In response to this news, Representative Johnson stated " This is a huge victory for my constituents and Texans across the state. It is imperative that people who rely on SNAP can utilize online grocery delivery, so they may protect themselves and their families during this health crisis. I applaud the leadership of Commissioner Wilson to submit the waiver to the USDA and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue's quick approval."
