Iowa secured federal waiver from the feds. No legislation needed.
by Guy Page
Starting January 1, Iowans will no longer be able to use food stamps to buy soda, candy, and certain other items, following federal approval of a waiver sought by Governor Kim Reynolds.
Could Vermont Gov. Phil Scott do likewise – bypassing the Vermont Legislature by obtaining a waiver directly from the federal government? VDC sent a version of the story below to Phil Scott’s press secretary and inquired. VDC will publish a response as soon as it is received.
Meanwhile, Make America Healthy Again supporter John Klar will be a guest today on Hot Off The Press. VDC’s call-in news and commentary daily news program runs 11:05 AM – noon on WDEV AM 550, FM 96.1, and wdevradio.com. Call in to 802-244-1777.
What Iowa did and how they did it
The U.S. Department of Agriculture granted Iowa’s request earlier this year, allowing the state to impose new restrictions on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The program, which serves more than 250,000 low-income Iowans, provides funds to purchase groceries.
Under the waiver, SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy candy, chewing gum, juice with less than 50% fruit or vegetable content, vitamins and minerals, or some prepared foods sold in stores. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services said the move is part of a broader effort to address obesity and chronic illness by encouraging healthier food choices.
Governor Reynolds celebrated the USDA’s approval in August, calling it a step toward “empowering Iowans to make better nutritional decisions and improve long-term health outcomes.”
Supporters of the change say it aligns SNAP spending with federal dietary guidelines and reduces taxpayer spending on junk food. Critics argue it unfairly limits food choices for low-income families and could increase administrative burdens for retailers.
The new rules make Iowa the first state to implement such broad restrictions on SNAP purchases, a move other states are expected to watch closely.