Iowa, Nebraska Approved for SNAP Food Purchase Limits

The USDA has approved waivers for both Iowa and Nebraska to restrict the purchase of certain items with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, with Iowa's new rules set to ban candy, soda, salty snacks, and other taxed foods starting January 2026, and Nebraska already enforcing similar restrictions on soda and energy drinks. These policies are aimed at encouraging healthier eating and combating obesity, particularly among children and low-income populations. The American Heart Association supports these changes, arguing they align SNAP with its purpose of providing nutritious food, while the Iowa Hunger Coalition and other critics warn that the measures could disproportionately harm low-income families. Several other states are also considering similar waivers, indicating a broader shift toward tighter SNAP purchase guidelines. Concurrently, proposed federal reforms seek to tighten work requirement waivers for able-bodied adults without dependents, so that such exemptions only apply in areas with high unemployment. Together, these state and federal actions reflect an ongoing movement to promote health and tighten eligibility within the SNAP program.