What is Healthy SNAP?
On Sunday, September 28, 2025, Governor Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-30, directing the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) to prepare and submit a waiver to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to alter Missouri's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This waiver aims to prioritize healthy foods and nutritional value, discourage foods that are high in added sugar and ultra processed ingredients, and supports Missouri agriculture.
Additionally, Governor Kehoe's executive order calls for the Director of DSS to explore and recommend strategies to further encourage the purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables, and Missouri-produced meats and dairy products within the SNAP program. This Healthy SNAP initiative will involve leveraging and enhancing current Missouri healthy food education and access programs for purchasing nutritious food. The DSS Healthy SNAP initiative furthers the overall mission to empower Missourians to live healthy and productive lives
In conjunction with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, DSS is committed to utilizing and incentivizing the purchase of locally sourced, nutritious agricultural products.
Implementing Healthy SNAP in Missouri: A Partnership Approach
DSS will work closely with team members and stakeholders, including families, nutrition experts, healthcare providers, retailers, and the agricultural community, to create an effective implementation plan and program details. This collaborative engagement process will begin in November 2025, ensuring Healthy SNAP reflects the needs and insights of those most impacted. Once federal approval is obtained, DSS anticipates implementing the waiver in October 2026.
For additional details, please refer to Governor Kehoe's Executive Order 25-30, along with a copy of the waiver requests below:
Public Comments
Public comments on the Healthy SNAP Waiver were received to help inform DSS on creating a successful implementation of Healthy SNAP. The period to submit a public comment ended on October 29, 2025.
