WASHINGTON, D.C. — A sweeping nutrition reform effort championed by President Donald Trump is accelerating, as six additional states have secured federal waivers to remove soda, candy, and other junk food from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchases.
On Monday, August 4, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., joined by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, announced that West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas will launch their new SNAP rules in 2026. The waivers amend the statutory definition of “food for purchase” in SNAP, sharply narrowing what taxpayer dollars can buy.
Redefining “Food” in America’s Largest Nutrition Program
Until now, SNAP benefits could be used for nearly any grocery item except alcohol, tobacco, hot prepared foods, and personal care products. Under these new waivers, each state will add soda, candy, and other taxable junk food to the prohibited list.
Supporters call the change a long-overdue shift in the nation’s $120 billion-a-year food assistance program — one aimed squarely at the chronic diseases that plague millions of Americans and drive up healthcare costs.
“President Trump has changed the status quo,” Rollins said. “These state waivers promote healthier options for families in need.”
Kennedy echoed that sentiment, arguing the federal government has been subsidizing products that “fuel America’s diabetes and chronic disease epidemics” for decades.
A Bipartisan Mix of States, but a Unified Message
The six new participants represent a politically diverse group — from conservative Oklahoma to liberal-leaning Colorado — but all frame the move as common-sense health policy.
- West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey called it “another step toward reversing negative health trends” in his state.
- Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, who pioneered the Healthy SNAP initiative, emphasized that the changes will “empower families to take charge of their health.”
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the goal is to support “nutritious options that help families thrive, not unhealthy products that lead to long-term health problems.”
- Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry hailed the waiver as ending the era of “taxpayers subsidizing unhealthy lifestyles.”
- Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt described the move as “common sense” and a win for public well-being.
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis linked the waiver to reducing obesity and food deserts, saying it could shift grocery store shelf space toward more nutritious products.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott framed it as a way to “promote better, healthier food habits” and protect taxpayer dollars.
Health Policy Meets Fiscal Responsibility
Advocates say the reforms tackle two pressing national issues at once: the public health crisis of diet-related disease and the rising cost of federal nutrition programs. Federal officials point to the potential for reduced rates of obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay, along with encouraging healthier grocery inventories in underserved communities.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., said the “goal is simple — reduce mass suffering from diabetes, obesity, and other long-term medical conditions” by changing how SNAP dollars are spent.
A Growing Movement
These latest approvals build on a wave of earlier waivers granted to Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah. Rollins has invited all 50 governors to join the “Laboratories of Innovation” initiative, designed to test bold policy ideas at the state level.
The changes reflect a broader push by the Trump administration to use federal assistance programs not just as safety nets, but as tools to influence healthier behavior. For critics, that raises questions about choice and autonomy; for supporters, it’s a necessary step toward curbing diet-related illnesses that cost the nation hundreds of billions annually.
With more than a dozen states now onboard, the question isn’t whether this policy will shape the future of SNAP — it’s how quickly the rest of the country will follow.
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