- What is Missouri’s Healthy SNAP Initiative?
The Missouri Healthy SNAP Initiative is a program designed to help low-income families and individuals who receive SNAP benefits access more nutritious food options and support healthier lifestyles.
- When was the Healthy SNAP waiver submitted?
DSS submitted a waiver to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to alter Missouri's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on September 29, 2025.
- What is the purpose of the waiver?
The waiver was submitted to alter Missouri’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and aims to prioritize healthy foods and nutritional value, discourage foods that are high in added sugar and ultra processed ingredients, and supports Missouri agriculture.
- When will we know if the Healthy SNAP Initiative has been approved?
Now that the waiver has been submitted, FNS will review the waiver request. Missouri will receive a decision regarding approval within 60 days.
- When will the Healthy SNAP Initiative go into effect?
The anticipated implementation date would be October 1, 2026.
- Who can participate?
Anyone currently receiving SNAP or SuN Bucks (SEBT) benefits in Missouri will automatically transition to Healthy SNAP guidelines for these benefits. No separate application is required.
- What items would be excluded under the Healthy SNAP Initiative?
If approved, the following items below would not be allowed for purchase through SNAP or SuN Bucks:
“Candy” means a product that involves the preparation of sugar or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, caramels, gummies, and hard candies or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.
“Prepared Desserts” means a processed, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat, pre-packaged sweet food intended for immediate consumption without any further preparation. This would include foods mostly made out of “chemically” modified substances extracted from foods, along with additives to enhance taste, texture, appearance, and durability, with minimal whole foods.
Carbonated and noncarbonated soft drinks, including but not limited to colas, ginger ale, near-beer, root beer, lemonade, orangeade.
All other drinks or punches with natural fruit or vegetable juice which contain 50 percent or less by volume natural fruit or vegetable juice.
Beverage mixes and ingredients intended to be made into taxable beverages; liquid or frozen, concentrated or non-concentrated, dehydrated, powdered, granulated, sweetened or unsweetened, seasoned or unseasoned.
Concentrates intended to be made into beverages which contain 50% or less by volume natural fruit or vegetable juice.
*The excluded items is subject to change and will be updated once the waiver request is finalized and approved.
- What benefits does the Healthy SNAP Initiative provide?
- Discounts or extra benefits when purchasing fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods.
- Opportunities to use SNAP dollars at participating stores and farmers markets.
- Where can I use Healthy SNAP benefits?
Healthy SNAP benefits can be used at approved grocery stores, farmers markets, and other participating retailers located in the United States that display the Quest Mark® logo.
FNS provides locations and addresses of approved SNAP retailers within Missouri, as well as the U.S. Find a SNAP retailer near you.
Many farmers markets accept SNAP and may even offer matching dollars for fruits and vegetables. Locate participating farmers markets that also participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program.
- Do I need to apply separately for Healthy SNAP?
No, if you are already enrolled in SNAP or SuN Bucks (SEBT), you are automatically enrolled.
- What is the justification for the Healthy SNAP Initiative?
Healthy and nutritionally secure families are critical to supporting a path to self-sufficiency and ultimately a thriving state, and the well-being of Missouri citizens is of paramount importance; and nutrition-sensitive chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and dental cavities, particularly in children, are often the result of and exacerbated by unhealthy diets, leading to a significant public health concern in Missouri.
These chronic diseases are a leading cause of death in the state, with heart disease being the number one cause and cancer being the second, and in 2024, heart disease killed 15,376 Missourians while obesity-associated cancer deaths claimed 5,511 lives. The prevalence of chronic diseases is substantial, with 22.2% of Missourians having diabetes or prediabetes and over one-third of adults classified as obese, highlighting the urgent need for initiatives that promote healthier dietary habits.
- What is the anticipated impact on program costs?
There is no anticipated impact on SNAP costs for Missouri. There may be additional costs to the state for the evaluation component.
- Who can I contact if I have more questions?
For questions on Missouri SNAP, please contact 855-373-4636. For more information on SNAP, please visit: mydss.mo.gov/food-assistance.