From Toby Ball, Age 13

I am starting this petition to bring attention to the struggles faced by individuals with celiac disease who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for their basic food needs. As you may be aware, celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder that affects approximately 1 in 100 individuals in the United States. Those with celiac disease are unable to tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

I am one of those people with Celiac.

Currently, SNAP benefits do not account for the significantly higher cost of gluten-free foods, which are essential for individuals with celiac disease to maintain their health. The cost of gluten-free products is often two to three times higher than their gluten-containing counterparts. This financial burden creates a significant obstacle for individuals with celiac disease who rely on SNAP to meet their basic nutritional needs.

I urge you to consider increasing SNAP benefits for individuals with celiac disease to reflect the higher cost of gluten-free food. This would help to ensure that individuals with celiac disease have access to the foods they need to maintain their health and well-being.

In addition to the financial burden of gluten-free foods, individuals with celiac disease also face challenges in finding gluten-free options in their local grocery stores. Many grocery stores do not carry a wide range of gluten-free products, and those that do often charge even higher prices than specialty stores.

Increasing SNAP benefits for individuals with celiac disease would not only help to address the financial burden of gluten-free foods but also support increased availability and affordability of gluten-free options in grocery stores.

I believe that it is essential to address the needs of individuals with celiac disease who rely on SNAP benefits. I urge you to take action to increase SNAP benefits for those with celiac disease to reflect the higher cost of gluten-free foods.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Toby Ball