USDA approves SNAP waivers for TN, SC to ban sugary drinks, starting 2026.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved waivers for Tennessee and South Carolina allowing them to restrict SNAP benefits from purchasing sugary drinks, candy, and other high-calorie, sweetened foods starting in 2026. The move, part of the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, aims to promote healthier eating among low-income families by ensuring federal funds support nutritious options. Tennessee’s waiver also allows SNAP recipients to buy hot prepared foods like rotisserie chicken. Similar approvals have been granted to Florida, Texas, Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, and Virginia. The USDA will monitor the programs’ impact through quarterly reports.