On January 1st, five new states were added to the list of restricted states, where residents can no longer purchase specific items under federal food assistance. Foods deemed as “unhealthy,” such as candy, soda, and other foods, can no longer be purchased at local retailers by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries. Local residents, along with law enforcement officials, are concerned about the impact these restrictions could have, given that, per state, there may be variation in implementation and the lack of access to healthier food options under SNAP.
This comes after the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign was introduced to direct taxpayer money toward healthier food options for citizens. The gradual rollout plan being approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has added Indiana, Utah, West Virginia, Iowa, and Nebraska to the list, bumping the total number of states with USDA restrictions to 18.
Businesses will now have to obtain state-approved waivers specifying which items may be available or unavailable to SNAP beneficiaries. Each state waiver varies in what it defines as restricted and what items are included in said restrictions. For example, Louisiana has noted on their Department of Health website that SNAP recipients will not be able to purchase energy drinks, soft drinks, and candy, including gum and mints. Meanwhile, Arkansas is not allowing the purchase of candy, soda, fruit, and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice included. Since SNAP cards do not cover purchases of restricted items, beneficiaries will have to pay out of pocket for items they may want.
Under the new changes, according to a brief released by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), retailers allowing SNAP benefit usage in their stores will now be required to get a full list of prohibited items for purchase on a state-by-state level either from state officials, the Food Nutrition Service (FNS), or on their own. In addition, they must periodically assess new product launches to determine whether these items should be included on the list to confirm legal compliance.
Retailers would also have to ensure that they work with tech companies to update all cash registers and online shopping options to reflect the waiver, and train all employees on a new system, along with the list of restricted purchase items. The primary risk factor is that, with all the new implementations retailers in each state have to go through, some stores could choose to opt out of serving SNAP recipients altogether. In turn, this causes SNAP recipients to seek out other retailers to purchase food items that may be farther from their homes or pose challenges in pre-existing food deserts.
In a few months, states such as Texas, Virginia, and Florida will be added to the growing list of states with SNAP purchase restrictions. As the waivers continue to be implemented, consumers can expect longer checkout lines and delays in item confirmation at registers. SNAP recipients are encouraged to review their specific state’s government website to remain informed and in compliance with legal shifts. More information on states that have approved SNAP food restriction waivers is available here.