An average family of four in Missouri could see savings of over $80 per year on groceries if a House bill passes. Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, has proposed a bill that would remove a 1% sales tax on groceries. During a recent public hearing, Coleman said the removal would apply only to cold or unprepared foods. Scott Baker, executive director of Feeding Missouri, testified in support of Coleman’s bill. He said removing this tax would help all Missourians. Those opposed to the sales tax break were worried about a loss of revenue. The removed portion is a tax that went to schools in Missouri. The School District Trust Fund would see a loss of roughly $144 million in 2024. Total payments made from the fund last school year were about $980 million, according to state data. Scott Kimble, director of legislative advocacy for the Missouri Council of School Administrators, said schools are providing more services to students now than ever before, and losing the money may limit some of these services. Rep. Shane Roden, R-Cedar Hill, expressed concern that “gas station burritos and donuts” and other unhealthy foods would also qualify for the tax cut. Roden proposed an amendment to the bill during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing last month. The amendment would apply the tax break only to foods approved by the Women, Infants and Children and Meals on Wheels programs. But his amendment was ultimately dropped because it inadvertently led to a tax increase of over $300 million by changing the definition of food.