The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a total of 18 state waivers to create healthier options for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
Six more states recently submitted waivers to the USDA to reform food stamp options, removing junk food, including sodas and candy. Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee have all had their waivers approved by the agency.
In total, 18 states are now on track for food stamp reforms, all set to go into effect sometime in 2026. The twelve other states in the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) fold are Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.
Sixteen of the 18 states are notably considered red states; the only two Democratic-run states that have submitted the health waivers are Colorado and Hawaii.
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Every state is banning the purchase of soda with food stamps, with some states also banning sweetened beverages and energy drinks. States such as Arkansas, Idaho, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas are banning candy purchases through SNAP.
West Virginia, Utah, Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana will make their MAHA changes effective January 1, 2026. Other states will follow, with the last implementation set to take effect in Missouri in October 2026.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The changes have been a joint effort between Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.
“Thank you to the 18 governors who are leading the charge on SNAP reform to restore the health of Americans — especially our kids. Their courageous leadership is exactly what we need to Make America Healthy Again,” Kennedy said in a statement about the momentum. “We cannot continue a system that forces taxpayers to fund programs that make people sick and then pay a second time to treat the illnesses those very programs help create.”
Rollins highlighted President Donald Trump’s involvement, stating, “President Trump has made it clear: we are restoring SNAP to its true purpose – nutrition.”
“Under the MAHA initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic disease epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long,” Rollins added. “America’s governors are answering that call with courage and innovation, offering solutions that honor the generosity of the taxpayer while helping families live longer, healthier lives.”
Related: ‘McSCUSE ME?’: 11 States Allow ‘Nutritional’ Food Stamps To Be Spent At Fast Food Restaurants
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