Florida leads new wave of SNAP junk food restrictions as 18 states prepare changes in 2026

Hailey Waldo Contributor This year, Florida secured approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for certain “junk food” items beginning Thursday, Jan. 1— part of a growing national trend that will see 18 states limit similar purchases under SNAP next year. Under the newly approved state waiver, Florida SNAP recipients will no longer be able to use their benefits to purchase items such as soda (including diet varieties), candy, energy drinks with added stimulants and many packaged desserts. Retailers, including grocery stores, convenience stores, farmer markets and online sellers, will be exp