resolve this issue and quote.

The Kentucky General Assembly's Make America Healthy Again.

Task force was held and it was the second time that it's met during this interim session so far, the supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program also known as SNAP, which are food stamps, was the main discussion point as our Emily SISK reports, lawmakers debated if SNAP recipients are getting nutritional foods more about that in tonight's legislative updates.

>> More than 280,000 households in Kentucky utilized SNAP benefits in the month of June.

The Food Assistance Program gives families a specific amount of money they can spend on food each month ahead of Thursday's task force meeting co-chair and Senator Shelley Funky from Meyer explained why they wanted to take a deeper look into the health of SNAP recipients.

>> We believe SNAP was created to meet some nutritional needs, but it for actually resulting in obesity.

How that nutrition lack, what are their health outcomes?

>> The senator also discussed how she believes improving the health of Kentuckians can lighten the load of Medicaid costs.

This comes after the passage of President Donald Trump's quote, big beautiful bill which will make cuts to Medicaid.

>> If we can get ahead and work on the prevention side.

Then we're OK, cutting the cost in that area and perhaps those dollars are as needed because we're going to be a more well, Kentucky.

>> The task force her data from the nonprofit and chronic disease about what kinds of foods snap participants are consuming and what the number one most purchased product is.

>> Numerous studies show us that SNAP participants are getting more than half of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods.

The same research also shows us that sugary beverages alone.

Which contains 0 nutritional value.

The number one grocer expenditure among snap households in the U.S. Representative Matt Lockett, co-chair of the Task Force pointed out that in rural parts of the state convenience stores might be the only local food source that accepts SNAP benefits.

>> The closest place to get food might be a dollar general, which is chips and Cokes and snacks.

>> A representative from feeding Kentucky do further into Lockett's claim.

He explained how food deserts or places without nutritional options are impacting the state.

>> Quite appallingly.

One in 5 Kentucky children are food, insecure.

We have the second highest rate of hunger nationwide in the age bracket 50 to 59 and we have 4 counties in Kentucky that rank nationally when it comes to food.

Insecurity rates.

>> There are opportunities, however, to encourage and support the purchase of non processed foods.

One such program incentivizes purchases at farmers markets by doubling assistance dollars.

Another option, the Lexington Mobile market brings Kroger markets to areas without large grocery stores.

It's currently center in Lexington and serves 40 surrounding counties.

>> This is a way that they can receive that fresh produce about try traveling 10 plus miles to get it.

Also accept snap, which is a game changer for these communities.

If they don't have to use the debit cards.

>> As nearly 80% of SNAP beneficiaries are children.

The task force wants to focus on their nutrition.

It's much easier to build healthy kids than it is to heal.

Sick adult for Kentucky edition.

I'm Emily Sisk.

>> Thank you so much, Emily.

Some state lawmakers asked if certain processed foods could be restricted from snap usage task force presenters said this could cause a strain on retailers but say it's not completely out of the question.