SNAP Recipients Fight Back In Junk Food Crackdown

[Polybius]

145. Yes

Here's a bit of history, since you won't research on your own. The modern program became permanent with the Food Stamp Act of 1964, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson as part of the Great Society and War on Poverty efforts.

SNAP can only be used for eligible food items intended for home consumption—such as fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, breads, cereals, and non-alcoholic beverages. Items like detergent, clothes, soap, cleaning supplies, paper products, pet food, vitamins, alcohol, tobacco, and hot prepared foods are ineligible.

Over decades, SNAP has evolved (e.g., removing the purchase requirement in 1977 and renaming to emphasize nutrition in 2008), but its foundational intent remains unchanged: targeted support for better diets and agricultural stability, not broad household goods.

It seems you need to take it up with LBJ, not me. He also had Democratic supermajorities in Congress.