Evansville, IN — Indiana will become the first state in the nation to restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for purchasing candy and soda, following approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The new policy, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, aims to encourage healthier eating habits among low-income Hoosiers.
The decision comes after Governor Mike Braun signed an executive order earlier this year as part of his “Make Indiana Healthy Again” initiative. Braun’s administration successfully secured a federal waiver allowing the state to impose its own restrictions on SNAP purchases, a move that has garnered attention across the country.
“More taxpayer-funded SNAP dollars are spent on sugary drinks and candy than on fruits and vegetables,” Governor Braun stated. “Indiana is proud to lead the way in the Make America Healthy Again agenda by making this common-sense move to return SNAP to its intended purpose: nutrition.”
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins signed off on Indiana’s request this week, marking a significant milestone in state-level efforts to reform the federal food assistance program.
Data from the USDA underscores Braun’s concerns, showing that soda is the most commonly purchased item with SNAP benefits nationwide. In fact, recipients of the program spend more on sugary beverages, desserts, and candy combined than they do on fruits and vegetables. Research further indicates that children in SNAP households consume 43% more sugary drinks than children in similar-income households not enrolled in the program.
Indiana was among the first states to apply for the waiver and has positioned this policy within a broader effort to combat diet-related health problems, particularly among vulnerable populations. The Braun administration’s initiative also includes new work requirements for additional SNAP recipients, commissioned studies on food safety and diet-related illnesses, and proposals aimed at reducing waste and abuse within the state’s Medicaid program.
The announcement was initially made during an event in April attended by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who praised Indiana’s approach. Kennedy urged other governors to follow suit and suggested further reforms such as banning certain food dyes and additives, expanding farm-to-school programs, implementing fitness testing in schools, and increasing SNAP transparency.
As the state prepares to implement these changes, questions remain about the impact on SNAP recipients and how the restrictions will be enforced at the retail level. Still, Indiana’s move marks a significant shift in how states can influence nutrition policy within federally funded assistance programs.
