SNAP Junk-Food Purchase Bans Begin Nov. 1 in Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Virginia
Most bans target soda, energy drinks and candy as states expand waivers under the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again initiative.
- Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Virginia are the latest states implementing restrictions on SNAP food purchases, banning recipients from using Electronic Benefit Transfer cards for soda, energy drinks, and candy.
- These restrictions align with the Trump administration's Make America Healthy Again initiative, endorsed by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and HHS Secretary Kennedy to promote healthier food options for benefit recipients.
- Serving over 42 million people, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cost approximately $101.7 billion to $102.6 billion in fiscal year 2025, providing an average of $188 monthly per recipient for groceries.
- Joining Indiana, Utah, Idaho, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, and Arkansas, these four states enacted similar waivers earlier this year to restrict specific food purchases through SNAP benefits.
- Legal challenges persist; Five states saw plans stalled in June when U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson vacated USDA approval, citing concerns that restrictions could undermine access to food.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Sugary foods to lose SNAP-eligibility on Nov. 1: SCDSS
SOUTH CAROLINA (WCBD) - The South Carolina Department of Social Services on Wednesday announced that its new program, Healthy Food SC, will take effect on Sunday. Healthy Food SC project is a two-year initiative beginning on Nov. 1, updating the definition of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-eligible foods by removing candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, [...]
SNAP junk-food purchase bans begin Nov. 1 in Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Virginia
Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Virginia are the latest states implementing restrictions on food purchases by SNAP recipients and banning them from using their taxpayer-funded food assistance benefit to purchase junk food, joining several other states that have implemented restrictions.
SNAP Food Restriction Demonstration Waiver Takes Effect
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton today reminded Montanans that the statewide Healthy SNAP Food Restriction Demonstration Waiver will go into effect on Nov. 1, 2026. Approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA), the demonstration project tests whether restricting specific low-nutrition, high-sugar...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
