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n A Call to Sow:The Kildare Seed Sowing Soirée

Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced today that, one month into the application period, the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program has drawn applications for more than 160,000 students.

Those utilizing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be restricted from buying candy or sweetened beverages with their Lone Star Cards in Texas starting in April. In the state of Texas, SNAP is supplied through a Lone Star Card that can be used similar to a credit card at any store that accepts SNAP. These funds cannot be used to purchase tobacco, alcohol or to pay for owed food bills or purchase of items that cannot be eaten or drank. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food online. As of Wednesday, April 1, SNAP cannot also not be used to purchase candy bars, gum, taffy, nuts, yogurt, caramel or raisins or fruits that have been candied, glazed or coated with chocolate. Foods that can be purchased using the benefits are fruits, vegetables, garden seeds and plants that produce food, bread and cereal, meat, fish and poultry. Additionally, sweetened drinks cannot be purchased with the benefits that are nonalcoholic beverages made with water that contains 5 grams or more of added sugar or any amount of artificial sweetener. Beverages that can be purchased include milk or milk products like soy, rice or similar milk substitutes or beverages that have more than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume.