SNAP basics

What SNAP covers, and the new state soda and candy rules

Last reviewed October 23, 2026 · 6 minute read · Sources listed below

SNAP covers most groceries. Starting in 2026, though, a growing list of states no longer lets SNAP pay for soda, candy, or other sweetened drinks. Here's the federal baseline and what's changing where you live.

The federal baseline: what SNAP can buy

Under federal rules, SNAP can buy any food for the household, such as:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Breads and cereals
• Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat

What SNAP can't buy anywhere

• Beer, wine, and liquor
• Cigarettes and tobacco
• Food and drinks containing controlled substances, such as cannabis or CBD
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements. If an item has a Supplement Facts label, it counts as a supplement and isn't eligible. (Look for a Nutrition Facts label instead.)
• Live animals (with exceptions such as shellfish and fish removed from water)
• Foods that are hot at the point of sale, such as a rotisserie chicken from the hot case
• Non-food items: pet food, cleaning supplies, paper products, household supplies, hygiene items, and cosmetics

New in 2026: state restrictions on soda and candy

USDA has approved "food restriction waivers" that let some states stop SNAP from paying for items like soda, energy drinks, and candy. Each state defines its own list, so the exact items differ. The table below shows the states with approved waivers and their planned start dates, as published by USDA's Food and Nutrition Administration.

Blocked by a court: On June 22, 2026, a federal court in Washington, D.C. vacated the approvals for Colorado, Iowa, Tennessee, and West Virginia, so those restrictions may not proceed for now.

Dates and item lists can change. Before you shop, check your state agency's website (find it in the SNAP state directory) or the USDA waiver page.

Hot meals: the Restaurant Meals Program

Normally SNAP can't buy hot or restaurant food. In some states, SNAP households where every member is 60 or older, has a disability, is experiencing homelessness, or is the spouse of someone who qualifies can use SNAP at participating restaurants through the Restaurant Meals Program. States listed by USDA include Arizona, California, Illinois (Cook and Franklin counties), Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Ask your state agency whether you qualify and which restaurants take part.

How Bag Guy labels items

In Bag Guy, SNAP-friendly means an item is usually SNAP-eligible under the federal rules above. It isn't a promise: the register makes the final call, and state rules can change. When an item might be restricted in some states, like a sweetened drink, the app shows Check at register instead of guessing.