Non-Nutritive Items In Wyoming Will Soon No Longer Be Allowed Through SNAP

Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) announced today that, last month,  Wyoming submitted a SNAP Food Restriction Demonstration Waiver to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, marking a significant step toward strengthening nutrition outcomes for Wyoming families.

Approved under Executive Order 2025-07, the waiver proposes a phased approach to limiting the purchase of certain non-nutritive items with SNAP benefits, beginning with sweetened, carbonated beverages in the first year, followed by candy in the second.

“The waiver we submitted to USDA is about encouraging healthier choices, not micromanaging people’s lives,” Governor Gordon said. “My executive order targeted products with no nutritional value while preserving dignity and personal responsibility, something Wyoming citizens feel strongly about. I believe going any further and outlawing staples like flour or sugar, ingredients families use to bake bread or cook meals at home, risks undermining the very families SNAP is meant to support.”

The proposal was developed by the Department of Family Services through a broad public and stakeholder engagement process that included statewide surveys, public town halls, and direct consultations with retailers, beverage distributors, and SNAP-Ed providers.

That feedback consistently emphasized the need for clear definitions, strong education for participants and retailers, and a phased rollout to allow merchants time to integrate new coding  and communities time to adapt, principles reflected directly in the waiver submission. DFS also conducted internal evaluation of DFS personnel and timeline capacity for successful implementation. 

“This effort is about aligning SNAP with its core purpose, supporting health and nutrition for families who need help putting food on the table,” Director of Family Services Korin Schmidt said. “Wyoming approached this thoughtfully, deliberately, and with extensive public input. We are focused on improving outcomes, not adding bureaucracy.”

If approved, the demonstration would apply statewide and is designed to encourage healthier purchasing decisions while preserving access to nutritious foods.

Wyoming will continue to work closely with the USDA to ensure implementation is transparent, practical, and focused on long-term health benefits for Wyoming families.