Guess Who’s Big Mad They Can’t Buy Junk Food With Your Tax Money Anymore
Florida has implemented new restrictions on SNAP benefits, prohibiting the use of EBT cards to purchase soda, candy, energy drinks, and ultra-processed desserts as of April 20, 2026. The state policy, enabled by a Trump administration waiver, aims to promote healthier eating by aligning purchases with nutritional guidelines. While beneficiaries can still buy staples like fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy, some recipients have expressed frustration over the limitations.
- ▪Florida's SNAP program now bans EBT purchases of soda, candy, energy drinks, and ultra-processed desserts like Twinkies and cupcakes.
- ▪SNAP recipients can still use benefits for fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, dairy, coffee, tea, bottled water, and certain packaged breakfast foods.
- ▪The policy change was made possible by a USDA waiver program under the Trump administration, allowing states to restrict SNAP-eligible items.
- ▪Florida is the 10th state to enforce such bans, with eight more states expected to follow in 2026.
- ▪The stated goal of the restriction is to improve nutrition and align SNAP benefits with the program’s objective of reducing hunger and malnutrition.
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Guess Who’s Big Mad They Can’t Buy Junk Food With Your Tax Money Anymore Tim O'Brien | 7:34 AM on May 02, 2026 AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh Food stamp users in Florida are waking up to some big changes that took place in their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that took effect April 20. The entitlement program’s beneficiaries can no longer use their EBT cards to purchase soda, energy drinks, candy, and “ultra-processed prepared desserts” such as Twinkies, cookies, cupcakes, and other packaged sweets.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at PJ Media.
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