Tennessee will seek waivers to restrict SNAP benefits from being used to purchase foods that list sugar or similar sweeteners as the first ingredient. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Tennessee is seeking federal waivers that would restrict Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from being used to purchase soda and sugary processed foods, Gov. Bill Lee announced Friday.
The waivers sought would also allow SNAP recipients to use benefits to purchase hot prepared chicken, including rotisserie chicken and grilled chicken. Fried or breaded chicken would not be eligible.
The proposed changes “will ensure SNAP fulfills its intended purpose of promoting healthier eating habits, supporting improved health outcomes and reducing chronic conditions for low-income families,” according to a news release from Lee’s office.
The proposed waivers include:
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Allowing SNAP recipients to purchase hot prepared chicken, including rotisserie chicken and “non-fried, non-breaded items like grilled chicken tenders”
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Excluding items that list sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, or similar caloric alternatives as the first ingredient
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Excluding beverages in which carbonated water and sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or similar caloric alternatives are the first two ingredients
The USDA has already approved waivers for 12 states, most of which used the waivers to restrict the purchase of soda and candy.
“I’m grateful to the Trump Administration for its leadership to Make America Healthy Again, and thank our grocery retailers, convenience stores, food producers, and beverage manufacturers for working to ensure that healthier choices reach every community across our state,” Lee stated in the news release.
Nearly 734,000 Tennesseans received about $1.4 billion in SNAP benefits in fiscal year 2022, with an average monthly benefit of $161 per person, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
SNAP funding cuts tied to new work requirements approved in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” are projected to reduce SNAP benefits by 20% for Tennesseans, totaling a loss of about $250 million. It’s not clear when these work requirements will go into effect.
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