With obesity rates soaring in the United States and healthcare costs rising, legislators in many states have taken aim at publicly funded snack habits. Should taxpayers subsidize candy and sugary drinks purchases and then pay taxes again to combat the resulting obesity? Many state legislatures say no.
The Trump USDA has given waivers to states that wish to restrict purchases on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Eighteen states have already received waivers.
Those states include:
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
The USDA explains:
The Trump Administration is leading bold reform to strengthen integrity and restore nutritional value within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
USDA is empowering states with greater flexibility to manage their programs by approving SNAP Food Restriction Waivers that restrict the purchase of non-nutritious items like soda and candy. These waivers are a key step in ensuring that taxpayer dollars provide nutritious options that improve health outcomes within SNAP.
Action Line: Your family’s nutrition is important to their health. Making smart choices with food purchases is important. It’s also important to make smart choices with tax dollars. When you’re looking for a state that treats your tax dollars with care, start your search with Your Survival Guy’s 2025 Super States, and click here to subscribe to my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter and be among the first to receive my forthcoming 2026 Super States.
