Soda and sweets are no longer eligible purchases under Florida's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Why it matters: Hundreds of thousands of households in Tampa Bay can no longer use their benefits to buy a box of Little Debbie's, a liter of Coca-Cola or a Hershey bar at the checkout.

• It's a restriction that some experts say can complicate lines at the grocery store and create unnecessary shame.

Driving the news: SNAP, often called food stamps, helps low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities buy groceries.

• Twenty-two states have moved to narrow SNAP's list of eligible foods as part of the Trump administration's push to "restore nutritional value" in the program.
• Florida got the green light in August to bar SNAP recipients from using their benefits to purchase soda, energy drinks, candy and ultra-processed desserts. The program took effect this week and will end in two years.

The big picture: About 1 in 10 households in Tampa Bay receive SNAP, more than 225,000 in all, according to the latest U.S. Census data.

• Hillsborough County has the most SNAP households in the region (77,704), while Polk County has the highest share (14.6%).

Zoom in: Here are the items no longer eligible for purchase.

• Soda, which the state defined as a beverage made with carbonated water and flavored with sugar or artificial sweeteners. Sports drinks like Gatorade and sparkling waters such as LaCroix are still eligible.
• Energy drinks, which the state defined as a beverage with at least 65 milligrams of caffeine per 8 fluid ounces, marketed as increasing the consumer's mental and physical energy. Coffee and tea are still eligible.
• Prepared desserts, which the state defined as processed, pre-packaged sweet foods intended for immediate consumption. This includes snack cakes like Twinkies and cookies like Oreos.
• Candy, which the state defined as sugar or artificial sweeteners combined with chocolate, fruits, nuts, caramels and gummies. Granola bars, Pop-Tarts and breakfast toaster strudels are still eligible.

Between the lines: The state says it made this change to "better align SNAP with its intended purpose: providing low-income households access to a more nutritious diet to help alleviate hunger and combat malnutrition."

• However, Christopher Bosso, a political science professor at Northeastern University, argued in an op-ed that because SNAP is "supplemental," most enrolled households will just use other funds to buy those foods.
• One study also found little difference between purchases made by households with SNAP and those without benefits, with 20 cents of every dollar spent on sweetened beverages, desserts, candy and sugar.

Spread the word

St. Petersburg leaders will host an open house next Thursday on the future of the Historic Gas Plant District.

Why it matters: The meeting gives residents a chance to vet the pitches to redevelop the site of Tropicana Field.

State of play: Mayor Ken Welch has narrowed down the field to four proposals and is aiming to make his choice in June.

• His selection would be vetted by City Council and the Community Benefits Advisory Council, which assesses city-funded projects for perks like affordable housing and environmental sustainability.
• Next week's meeting kicks off a 30-day window for the city to gather feedback from residents.

Zoom in: Two of the shortlisted proposals — from development groups ARK Ellison Horus and Blake Investment Partners — pitch buying land from the city and developing apartments, retail space and more.

• Foundation Vision Partners' proposal calls for the city to retain the land and sell parcels as the right projects come along. The development group would help the city create a master plan and build out infrastructure.
• The Pinellas County Housing Authority's proposal to build a seven-story, 80-unit affordable housing complex on a half-acre portion of the property rounded out the shortlist.

What's next: The meeting is at 5pm April 30 at The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N. Residents can also join virtually via Zoom by registering here.

Tell a St. Pete friend

🪧 Teachers at Pizzo K-8 have banded together to form "Project Pizzo," a last-ditch effort to save the school after the Hillsborough County School Board voted to close it in 2027. (Tampa Bay Times)

💧 One positive outcome of the ongoing drought: seagrass is rebounding in local waterways. A lack of runoff from rainfall has slowed algae growth, helping the underwater vegetation grow. (WUSF)

🦺 The University of Tampa broke ground on its five-story Dickey Science Innovation Center, which, when completed, will house 25 teaching laboratories and 23 research laboratories. (Times)

The weekend is nigh, and BTS is taking over Tampa, shutting down an entire road for a merchandise tent.

• If you're not headed to the K-pop band's concerts on Saturday and Sunday, you'll want to avoid South Dale Mabry Highway and Tampa Bay Boulevard, or brave stop-and-start traffic and detours.

Here's what else is happening this weekend.

⛸️ K-Pop Night on Ice, Wesley Chapel: Skate at AdventHealth Center Ice for the rink's first K-Pop themed night. Enjoy party lights, on-ice games and a DJ.

• Saturday, 6:30-8:30pm. Tickets are $22 online, $25 in-house.

🕶️ REBEL WRLD, Ybor City: A two-day fashion and cultural festival lands at 1920 Ybor this weekend, complete with runways, workshops and parties.

• Saturday, 12-11:45pm and Sunday, 12-8pm. Tickets start at $50.

😂 Ms. Pat, Ybor City: The comedian and star of BET+'s The Ms. Pat Show brings her standup to Tampa Funny Bone this weekend.

• Friday and Saturday at various times. Tickets start at $37.

🛍️ The Tampa Vintage Market, Lake Magdalene: The Florida Vintage Market sets up shop at Buchanan Middle School with vintage vendors, food trucks and a live DJ.

• Sunday, 12-5pm. Free to attend.

In Round 3, the star-studded blockbuster Ocean's 11 fell to the 1985 comedic sci-fi drama Cocoon.

• Director Ron Howard shot the film about peaceful aliens and a youth-restoring swimming pool throughout St. Pete. Perhaps all the local settings are giving it a boost with voters?
• Now, Cocoon faces mobster classic Goodfellas in the final round.

Vote here