North Dakota Submitting Proposal to Ban Candy, Soda from SNAP

(Bismarck, ND) — North Dakota is submitting a proposal to ban candy, soda and energy drinks from SNAP benefits. This comes as the state is pursuing the food ban to secure more federal funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program. State are eligible for more than the 500-million-dollar grant, if they implement certain health-related policies, including SNAP waivers. The new policy would require retailers accept SNAP benefits to update their sales systems so any attempt to purchase prohibited items with SNAP funds are declined. According to the proposal, about 83-thousand North Dakotans used SNAP benefits during the 2025 fiscal year.