Missouri is set to tighten the rules on what low income residents can buy with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food assistance.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Missouri’s “Healthy SNAP” waiver, following an executive order from Governor Mike Kehoe aimed at promoting healthier eating.
Starting October first, 2026, SNAP benefits in Missouri will no longer cover items like candy, prepackaged sweets, soda and soft drinks, certain low-juice beverages, and prepared desserts.
State officials say they are working with community groups and retailers now to define the details and make the transition as smooth as possible.
Anti-hunger advocates, including Feeding Missouri and Empower Missouri, support better nutrition but warn that new restrictions must be clear and practical so they do not create barriers for families who rely on SNAP.
More than six hundred seventy thousand Missourians currently depend on the program for food.