U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has approved a waiver to amend the definition of food for Nebraska's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Starting January 1, 2026, soda and energy drinks will no longer be eligible for purchase under SNAP in Nebraska.
“Today’s waiver to remove soda and energy drinks from SNAP is the first of its kind, and it is a historic step to Make America Healthy Again. Under President Trump’s leadership, I have encouraged states to serve as the ‘laboratories of innovation.’ Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Governors in Iowa, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, West Virginia, and Colorado are pioneers in improving the health of our nation,” stated Secretary Rollins.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen expressed his support for this initiative: “There’s absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks. SNAP is about helping families in need get healthy food into their diets, but there’s nothing nutritious about the junk we’re removing with today’s waiver. I’m grateful to have worked with Secretary Rollins and the Trump Administration to get this effort across the finish line. It is a tremendous step toward improving the health and well-being of our state. We have to act because we can’t keep letting Nebraskans starve in the midst of plenty.”
Previously, SNAP recipients were prohibited from purchasing alcohol, tobacco, hot foods, and personal care products with their benefits. The new waiver adds soda and energy drinks to this list within Nebraska.
This action aligns with the Make America Healthy Again agenda aiming to address concerning health trends nationwide. Current statistics indicate that prediabetes affects one in three children aged 12 to 19; 40% of school-aged children have at least one chronic condition; and 15% of high school students consume one or more sodas daily.
