Make America Healthy Again: Most States Commit to Banning Taxpayer-Funded Junk Food
Key Findings
- The food stamp program has been failing to provide a more nutritious diet for enrollees.
- The Trump administration is driving a national health revival and delivering historic reform to the food stamp program.
- More than half of states have taken action to restrict the worst foods from their food stamp programs.
Overview
America’s health crisis has reached a tipping point, with chronic disease rising due to poor diet and lifestyle factors. For decades, the food stamp program has only exacerbated this problem, allowing taxpayer dollars to subsidize unhealthy food choices.
In just one year, the Trump administration has gained broad support to reverse this trend, with more than 30 states committing to healthier options for food stamps. Restricting junk food from food stamp purchases reflects a renewed focus on nutrition and health, and ensures taxpayers are no longer compelled to underwrite preventable illness and their associated medical costs.
The food stamp program has been failing to provide a more nutritious diet for enrollees
Enrollment and spending on food stamps has surged over the past 25 years, with enrollment ballooning to roughly 42 million people.1 The food stamp program exists to “safeguard the health and well-being of the nation’s population by raising levels of nutrition among low-income households.”2 Yet food stamp enrollees’ diets are worse than those not on food stamps, even among those with the same income levels.3 Children on food stamps have substandard diets and are more likely to have elevated disease risk than nonparticipants with similar incomes.4
The food stamp program is failing in its mission to provide a more nutritious diet for enrollees. In fact, soda has been the number one commodity purchased with food stamps.5 Children on food stamps consume 43 percent more sugar-sweetened beverages than nonparticipants of similar income levels.6 Sweetened beverages and candy alone account for 11 percent of all food stamp spending.7 Taxpayers are picking up the tab for a diet that is fueling disease. Taxpayers are also on the hook for the expensive treatment of this health crisis given the significant overlap in welfare programs. Seventy-two percent of food stamp enrollees are also covered by government health insurance, mostly through Medicaid.8
The food stamp program is overdue for reform to better align it with its intended purpose. Thankfully, states are committed to prohibiting the purchase of foods such as candy and sugar-sweetened beverages with food stamps.
The Trump administration is driving a national health revival and delivering historic reform to the food stamp program
President Trump established the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission at the start of his second term.9 The commission released strategies to reverse the childhood chronic disease crisis, lower prescription drug prices, and reform America’s food systems, among many other bold, health-focused actions.10 The newly released federal dietary guidelines for Americans lay the groundwork for federal food policy focused on eating real food, while avoiding highly processed foods and added sugars.11 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services has also proposed a rule to amend the definition of “eligible foods” in food stamps.12
Overall, the Make America Healthy Again movement has attracted widespread support, underscoring Americans’ deep commitment to improving their health and that of future generations. Few developments better illustrate the success of this movement than the wave of food restriction waivers.
In February 2025, on her first day in office, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins committed to “support[ing] state innovation through approvals of waivers and pilot projects.”13-14 In April, Secretary Rollins, together with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, publicly called on state governors to submit waivers to limit what can be purchased with food stamps.15 In May, USDA approved the first ever waiver to amend eligible foods for purchase for Nebraska’s food stamp program.16 Many other states quickly followed suit, and USDA approved food restriction waivers for 18 states in 2025.17
The notable groundswell follows decades of state-led efforts to reform their food stamp programs. As early as 2011, for example, Texas introduced legislation to restrict soda, candy, and other unhealthy foods from its food stamp program.18 West Virginia and North Carolina were among other states to propose similar legislation.19-20 Yet it wasn’t until the current administration that states gained a willing federal partner to make these reforms a reality.
More than half of states have taken action to restrict the worst foods from their food stamp programs
The Trump administration has approved waivers from 18 states to restrict food stamp purchases of soda, candy, and other detrimental foods.21 The specific restrictions differ from state to state. For example, Colorado restricts only soft drinks.22 Many other states restrict soda and candy.23 Some states also restrict energy drinks.24 The waivers go into effect throughout 2026, and USDA issued guidance for retailers to ensure a smooth transition.25 Retailers have a 90-day grace period to help identify potential issues before being subject to investigation.26 Moreover, retailers are given multiple opportunities to address evidence of non-compliance before they risk losing their authorized status.27
Some states that have not formally submitted waivers have still taken action to pursue such waivers. Several states continue to take legislative action toward food stamp waivers.28-29 Moreover, as a part of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, all 50 states have received awards from a $50 billion initiative under the Rural Health Transformation Program.30-31 While half of the funding is distributed equally among states, the other half is granted based on a variety of factors, including a state’s commitments to MAHA-related policies.32
In their applications for rural health transformation dollars, more than 12 states are pursuing food restriction waivers.33-34 Notably, failure to implement the policy allows the federal government to withhold, reduce, or recover payments awarded based on the state’s policy commitment.35 This brings the total number of states that have implemented or are pursuing food stamp waivers to more than 30.36-37
The Bottom Line:
In just one year, the Trump administration has garnered support and prompted bold action from states to make America healthy again.
The Trump administration is restoring the purpose of the food stamp program. The chronic disease epidemic has reached critical levels, and the Make America Healthy Again movement is receiving widespread support. At the state level, policymakers are committed to stopping taxpayer-funded junk food. States are stepping up, restoring real nutrition to food stamps through commonsense reforms.
