4 States Submit Waivers to USDA Seeking to Ban Soda, Candy From SNAP

Contact Your Elected Officials

The Trump administration has encouraged states to submit the waivers amid a push to make America healthy.

Four Republican states are urging the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to let them ban soda, energy drinks, and candy from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a spokesperson confirmed on April 24.

The governors of Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska submitted requests to the agency for waivers that would allow such a ban, the spokesperson said.

Copies of the waivers have not yet been made available.

It comes shortly after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins signaled they are in favor of stripping such treats from the food stamp program.

SNAP is a federal program that helps more than 42 million low-income Americans pay for food each month.

According to the USDA, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase foods including fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, and fish, dairy products, breads and cereals, and โ€œother foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages.โ€

They can also be used to buy seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat.

They must not be used to buy beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco, pet food, cleaning supplies, or foods that are hot at the point of sale.

Arkansas wants to ban soda and candy from the program and include hot rotisserie chicken, according to an April 15 statement.

โ€œPresident Trump and his administration have put a laser focus on solving Americaโ€™s chronic disease epidemic and reforming our food stamp program is a great place to start,โ€ Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.

โ€œBanning soda and candy from food stamps will remove some of the least-healthy, most-processed foods from the program and encourage low-income Arkansans to eat better.โ€

Indiana hopes to remove candy and soft drinks from SNAP benefits, with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signing an executive order banning them โ€œso that taxpayer funds are helping low income Americans afford nutritious food, not junk.โ€

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen sent a letter of intent to Rollins on April 7 notifying her of the stateโ€™s intent to pursue a waiver removing soda and energy drinks from SNAP allowable purchases.

By Katabella Roberts

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Deranged Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett Lacks Decorum

Texas Democrat House Representative Jasmine Crockett went too far in recent speaking engagement and she should be forced to resign from Congress.

Corrupted Medical Societies Push SSRIs For Pregnant Women in Defiance of FDA

A recent expert panel organized by the FDA cast doubt on the safety of SSRIs โ€” even though these drugs are largely considered safe by healthcare providers.

The โ€œTrump Bridgeโ€ Could Lead To Russiaโ€™s Expulsion From The South Caucasus

If agreed to, and the report remains unconfirmed for now, the โ€œTrump Bridgeโ€ could lead to Russiaโ€™s expulsion from the South Caucasus.

Sweeney Swoon

Sydney Sweeney donned American Eagle jeans and hawked them as part the "Sydney's got great jeans" campaign, and the Left acted like she'd committed an atrocity.

Lay Democrats to Waste, Post Truths in Copy and Paste!

Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) humorously stated, โ€œOur secret plan for dealing with the Democrats is called, โ€˜Operation: Let them speak.โ€™โ€

FDA Ends Suspension of Chikungunya Vaccine, Adjusts Label

The FDA has lifted its hold on a vaccine against chikungunya, the agency announced on Aug. 6, as it adjusted the label for the shot.

Education Department Investigates Alleged Anti-Semitic Harassment in Baltimore City Public Schools

DOE investigating civil rights complaint against Baltimore City Public Schools, where Jewish students allegedly were subjected to discrimination and harassment.

US Households Owed an Average of $152,653 at the End of Q2 2025: Report

The average household in the US had $152,653 in debt by the end of the second quarter of 2025, WalletHub said in report.

DOJ to Expunge Employeesโ€™ COVID-19 Vaccination Records: Lawyers

The government has agreed to a settlement that involves expunging records showing the COVID-19 vaccination status of employees.

Trump Names Stephen Miran to Fill Vacant Seat on Federal Reserve Board

President Trump announced appt of Stephen Miran, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, to fill vacated seat on the Fed Reserve Board of Govs.

Trump Orders US Census Overhaul to Exclude Illegal Immigrants

President Trump has instructed the Dept of Commerce to work on a โ€œnew and highly accurateโ€ census excluding individuals who are in the US illegally.

Muskโ€™s Mandate for Public Servants to Report on โ€˜5 Thingsโ€™ Accomplished Dropped by US Government

The โ€˜5 Thingsโ€™ accomplished policy, which required federal workers to report on accomplishments every week was rescinded by the DOGE agency.

Trump Raises India Tariffs to 50 Percent Over Russian Oil Imports

Trump imposed additional 25% tariff on India, lifting total rate to 50%, as Indiaโ€™s government directly or indirectly imports Russian Federation oil.
spot_img

Related Articles