Virginia to remove ‘sweetened beverages’ from SNAP in April 2026

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will no longer be allowed to purchase "sweetened beverages" with SNAP funds beginning in April 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

On Wednesday, Dec. 10, the Food and Nutrition Service, which is part of the USDA, approved the Virginia Department of Social Services' request to remove "sweetened beverages" from the definition of food that can be purchased through SNAP funds.

The state agency formally requested the change on Nov. 4, according to the USDA.

The removal of "sweetened beverages" from SNAP will begin on April 1, 2026, and will be in effect for two years.

The move comes under directives from President Donald Trump's administration for states to restrict SNAP recipients from being able to purchase what the USDA says are "non-nutritious items like soda and candy."

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. secretary of health and human services, has previously vowed to work to remove "highly chemically processed foods" from federal programs like SNAP, according to reporting by the Associated Press.

The USDA website says requests, such as the one made by the Virginia Department of Social Services, are a "key step in ensuring that taxpayer dollars provide nutritious options that improve health outcomes within SNAP."

As of reporting, other states that were approved for similar SNAP restrictions include West Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.

8News has reached out to the Virginia Department of Social Services to learn more about the restriction.