Jennifer Anderson

Food stamp advocate SELF-DESTRUCTS as Rep. Brandon Gill presses her on why taxpayers pay for Coca-Cola. She tries to dodge the question. Then Gill pulls out the receipts, and she sits there in stunned silence. GILL: “Should SNAP dollars be spent on sodas?” WITNESS: “I am happy to talk about hunger and nutrition, but not dictate what Americans should or should not eat or may have access to.” GILL: “I’m asking if tax dollars should be used to pay for sodas.” “Do they need sugary sodas to survive?” WITNESS: “Some of them do…” GILL: “You think they need Coca-Cola to survive?” “I’m giving you the opportunity to say yes or no.” WITNESS: “I will not answer for individuals and their… choices.” GILL: “What does SNAP stand for?” WITNESS: “It’s a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.” GILL: “What’s nutritional about Coca-Cola?” WITNESS: “I am not a nutritionist.” Then Gill asks who’s paying her, and she freezes like a deer in headlights. GILL: “Is your organization funded by organizations that make money from food stamps?” [awkward silence] GILL: “Do organizations who profit off of food stamps fund your organization or businesses?” WITNESS: “I mean, in the, in the, I, I can’t comment to that.” GILL: “Does General Mills fund your organization?” WITNESS: “I don’t have access to that information.” GILL: “I do. It’s right here. They do fund your organization. […] Yes, and they’re profiting off of your advocacy. Do you think that that’s a conflict of interest?” [more silence] GILL: “I think most people think that’s a conflict of interest. I know you don’t want to answer.” Always follow the money. CONTEXT: USDA’s own study found soft drinks were the #1 purchase in SNAP households, beating milk, ground beef, and everything else in the store.