Opportunity
Federal Register #2026-22387
USDA approval of state SNAP food-purchase demonstration projects
Posted
November 03, 2026
Identifier
2026-22387
The USDA approved SNAP demonstration projects that change which foods participants may buy with SNAP benefits. - Government buyer: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA). - Approved projects: - Montana: Excludes high-sugar beverages, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts from SNAP-eligible foods. - South Carolina: Excludes candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages. Participants may still buy these items with non-SNAP funds. - North Dakota: Excludes soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy. - FNA will review project results using evaluation data from each state. - No OEMs, vendors, product purchases, quantities, or part numbers are identified; this is a program approval, not a procurement.
Description
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration approved South Carolina’s request to implement a SNAP demonstration project under section 17(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The project amends the SNAP definition of food for purchase to exclude candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages. The project takes effect November 1, 2026, and FNA will review its results based on the State’s evaluation data. The notice says SNAP participants may still purchase excluded items using non-SNAP funds.