Trump’s SNAP Overhaul: States Ban Soda, Junk Food to Boost Nutrition

The Trump administration is shaking up the food stamp program with a bold move to curb junk food purchases. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced at a Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) event that several states, starting with Nebraska, Indiana, and Iowa, have secured waivers to ban soda and sugary snacks from SNAP benefits. More states, including Texas and West Virginia, are lining up to join this health-driven initiative.

Nebraska made history as the first state to implement this restriction, launching a two-year pilot program to ensure taxpayer dollars fund nutritious choices. Rollins emphasized the unprecedented nature of these waivers, noting that neither Republican nor Democratic administrations have taken such steps before. With 42 million Americans, including one in five children, relying on SNAP monthly, the push aims to combat childhood chronic diseases by prioritizing healthier diets.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott championed the cause, arguing that SNAP should deliver on its promise of nutrition, not empty calories. West Virginia’s Governor Patrick Morrisey, another advocate, has also pushed for healthier food policies, recently signing a groundbreaking law banning certain synthetic dyes and additives. This reform signals a broader movement to rethink how federal benefits shape public health.