JACKSON — Mississippi families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could soon face limits on what foods they can buy, including soda and candy. 

While the state is considering filing a waiver with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a dozen other states already have already secured approval for restrictions, with changes set to begin in 2026.

The conversation in Mississippi is part of the federal Make America Healthy Again initiative, launched during the Trump administration. Under that strategy, states are being encouraged to restrict junk food and soda from SNAP benefits to improve nutrition and cut long-term health costs. 

Gov. Tate Reeves confirmed the idea is “on (his) radar” but said he has not yet reviewed a formal proposal, according to SuperTalk Mississippi Media. 

What waivers mean 

Currently, families can use SNAP benefits to buy nearly any food sold in grocery stores, including soda, candy, snack cakes and chips. 

If Mississippi files a waiver similar to other states, some items would no longer be eligible. 

What SNAP would still cover:

— Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned)

— Grains such as rice, bread and pasta

— Dairy products

— Meat, poultry and fish

— Frozen goods and pantry staples such as beans and cooking oil

What other states have banned:

— Soda/soft drinks: Restricted in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and West Virginia

— Energy drinks: Restricted in Florida, Louisiana and Nebraska

— Candy: Restricted in Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas

— Juice with less than 50% real juice: Arkansas restricts fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice

— Prepared desserts: Florida restricts bakery desserts and snack cakes

If Mississippi pursues a waiver, State Auditor Shad White has suggested focusing on soda and candy — meaning families could still buy them, but only by paying out of pocket. 

For thousands of households, that shift could change how grocery lists are made each month. 

Adjusting shopping habits 

Dr. Alicia Landry, a registered dietitian and professor at The University of Southern Mississippi, said changes to SNAP would mirror standards already used in other federal nutrition programs, such as the Women, Infants and Children program and the National School Lunch Program. 

She said the shift could challenge families who are used to including soda and candy on their grocery lists, since adjusting eating habits takes time. 

“Our bodies — it’s arguable — are evolutionarily designed to create or to crave sugar and salt,” she said. “It’s used as a preservative, and so we’ve had these in our foods as long as we’ve had processed food, so switching from that can be difficult and you’ll have like physiological reaction to that.” 

Regardless of whether the waiver is filed, Landry said families can start planning now by making small, realistic changes. 

“Maybe taking out one sugar-sweetened beverage a day and replacing that with water or flavored water or milk,” she said. “And then just progressing that until you don’t have those in your diet anymore.” 

Snack swaps are another way to prepare. Landry said pretzels and popcorn can replace snack cakes while adding whole grains. 

Alternatives like yogurt, honey or yogurt-covered raisins can offer sweetness without the heavy load of added sugar, and fruits provide natural sweetness with added nutrients. A medium-sized apple, she said, has about half the sugar of a 12-ounce soda. 

Cost of change 

Healthier choices don’t always mean higher costs, but for families on SNAP, there is a trade-off. Juice can sometimes be cheaper per ounce than soda, depending on the brand, while homemade snacks can stretch benefits farther than packaged ones if families can afford the upfront cost. 

Soda vs. juice at Walmart

— Coca-Cola, 12-pack: $7.92 → 5.5¢/oz

— Dr Pepper, 12-pack: $7.42 → 5.2¢/oz

— Minute Maid Watermelon Juice: $1.97 → 3.3¢/oz

— Great Value Apple Juice: $2.18 → 3.4¢/oz

— Simply All-Natural Apple Juice: $4.48 → 8.6¢/oz

Snacks at Walmart

— Homemade chocolate chip cookies (36): $6.88 in ingredients

— Store-bought bakery cookies (36): $12.49

Who SNAP serves in Mississippi 

SNAP is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. It plays a critical role in reducing poverty, improving health and economic outcomes, supporting low-wage workers and serving as a first line of defense against hunger during economic downturns. 

In fiscal year 2024, SNAP helped 384,800 Mississippians — about 13% of the state’s population. Nationwide, more than 41.6 million people received benefits. 

CBPP data show: 

— In Mississippi, more than 67% of participants live in families with children, over 41% are in households that include an older adult or a person with a disability, and more than 26% are in working families. 

— Nationally, about 62% of participants live in families with children, more than 37% are in households with an older adult or someone with a disability, and roughly 38% are in working families. 

The discussion over soda and candy is one part of a broader debate about how to balance access, nutrition and cost in federal food programs. Whether Mississippi moves forward with a waiver or not, experts say understanding how SNAP operates — and who it serves — will help residents, retailers and policymakers gauge how any changes could affect families across the state.