Three states received federal waivers to prohibit participants in food assistance programs from buying junk food, bringing the total to six states reforming their food stamp programs.

Arkansas’ SNAP waiver, effective July 1, 2026, excludes candy, soda, low- and no-calorie soda, fruit and vegetable drinks containing less than 50% natural juice, and other drinks considered ...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has begun granting waivers to individual states that seek to limit what SNAP recipients can purchase. States with Approved Waivers (effective January 1 ...

Nebraska’s waiver will effectively prohibit the purchases of soda and energy drinks with SNAP benefits. Iowa’s will ban nearly all “taxable” food items, as defined by Iowa law.

The SNAP waivers granted to Nebraska, Indiana, and Iowa each allow the state to operate a two-year pilot project, effective January 1, 2026, ...

Arkansas’ SNAP waiver, the most restrictive, excludes candy, soda, low- and no-calorie soda, fruit and vegetable drinks containing less than 50% real juice, and other drinks considered unhealthy.

Iowa and Indiana have received a waiver approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ban junk food from being bought using SNAP benefits.

West Virginia’s waiver request acknowledges a possible cost to institute the changes to be be passed along to the state’s 2,118 SNAP retailers. “West Virginia does not foresee a Program cost ...

Utah’s SNAP restrictions, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, don’t go as far as other states. Arkansas’ waiver restricts SNAP participants from purchasing low- and no-calorie soda, fruit ...

Joining him in these efforts is Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D), whose waiver seeks to make sweetened beverages unavailable for purchase with food stamps, but “permit SNAP participants to buy a ...

Nebraska’s waiver will effectively prohibit the purchases of soda and energy drinks with SNAP benefits. Iowa’s will ban nearly all “taxable” food items, as defined by Iowa law.