Iowa blocked from restricting sugary foods and drinks under SNAP

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — A federal judge said Iowa cannot block SNAP recipients from buying sugary foods and drinks with their benefits.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Iowa’s program in 2025, and it started in 2026.

A lawsuit filed by five SNAP recipients, including Iowa man Marc Craig, argued the restrictions could affect their health.

Craig, who has diabetes, argued the restrictions prevented him from buying certain drinks to help maintain his blood sugar.

Iowa wanted to use SNAP rules to push people toward healthier choices. But the judge said the state and the USDA went too far.

The program restricted all foods with sales tax exemptions from being purchased using SNAP benefits. That included items such as soda and candy, as well as some foods families rely on, including certain granola bars, fruit strips and prepackaged salads.

Kathy Underhill, CEO of the Des Moines Area Religious Council, said the state had the right idea but did not consult local food advocates.

“I think the state came at this with good intentions of wanting healthy food, which is what we all want,” Underhill said. “But I would love to work with the states and bring people around a table to really think about very practical ways for a policy similar to this to work and benefit everybody from retailers to SNAP recipients.”

Paige Chickering with the Save the Children Action Network said she has heard similar concerns across Iowa.

“Part of the issue of these restrictions is that it treats it as a one-size-fits-all policy when we know for a fact that every single person is different,” Chickering said. “So that just really doesn’t work for someone on a personal and individual level.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was in Iowa just weeks ago championing the program with Gov. Kim Reynolds.

In a statement, Reynolds called the decision short-sighted and said it does nothing to improve the health of the country.

Nebraska, Colorado, Tennessee and West Virginia were also blocked from using similar programs.

Chickering also added that she believes the legal battle is far from over.

—

Isabella Warren covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email her at isabella.warren@kcrg.com; and follow her on Facebook at Isabella Warren TV on X/Twitter@isabellaw_gray, and on Instagram@IsabellaWarrenTV.