House bill exempting food pantries from paying sales tax on food heads to Senate

COLLINS, Miss. (WDAM) - A bill to exempt food pantries from paying state sales tax when buying food has passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting action in the Senate.

Currently, food pantries have an exemption for buying non-perishable food only.

But House Bill 715 would exempt all food purchased by food banks from sales tax.

Hattiesburg representative Missy McGee introduced the bill, which passed the House this week.

Last year, a similar bill also made it through the House, but died in the Senate.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said Representative Noah Sanford, a Republican from District 90.

“There are a lot of food banks that churches and community groups have set up and certainly, there’s no reason to only have the exemption on non-perishable items.”

“I’m certainly hopeful,” said Senator Joey Fillingane, a Republican from District 41.

“It sounds like a very good idea and would certainly benefit those that are trying to help the most needy and vulnerable among us, so I would have no problem with that whatsoever.”

Representative Sanford and Senator Fillingane were at the Collins Train Depot on Friday, speaking at an annual legislative luncheon hosted by the Covington County Chamber of Commerce.

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