Evansville, IN – Indiana has secured approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove sugary drinks and candy from purchases made with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, marking a groundbreaking shift in how taxpayer-funded aid can be used.
The waiver, signed by Secretary Brooke Rollins, makes Indiana one of the first states to implement such restrictions aimed at improving the dietary habits of low-income families. Governor Mike Braun hailed the move as a necessary step to promote healthier choices among SNAP recipients.
“More taxpayer-funded SNAP dollars are spent on sugary drinks and candy than on fruits and vegetables,” Braun said. “This change is vital to encourage better nutrition and protect the health of our communities.”
Data cited by state officials reveal that SNAP participants purchase more soda than any other commodity, with sugary drink sales surpassing the combined sales of fruits and vegetables. Studies also show that children in the program consume 43% more sugary beverages than their non-SNAP peers, raising concerns about long-term health consequences.
At the launch of the initiative, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised Indiana’s leadership. “I urge every governor across America to follow your lead,” he said, urging other states to consider similar reforms to SNAP benefits.
Indiana’s new policy aligns with the state’s broader Make Indiana Healthy Again campaign, which aims to elevate nutrition standards and improve overall public health.
The policy shift is expected to spark national discussion on the role of SNAP in addressing diet-related health disparities and the responsibility of government assistance programs to promote healthier choices.
As Indiana implements this change, other states are watching closely, weighing the balance between nutritional guidance and recipient autonomy in federal assistance programs.
