Grocers express concerns over new SNAP restrictions in Indiana, citing confusion for retailers and stress for customers.

Indiana will restrict SNAP recipients from purchasing candy and soda starting in January. Opponents argue the ban will increase administrative costs without significantly changing behavior.

Mike Braun Braun said he requested the federal waiver to allow Indiana to impose its own restrictions on the program. He pointed to USDA data showing that soda is the most purchased item with SNAP ...

(Lauren Chapman/IPB News) The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Indiana’s ban on “sugary sodas” and candy from the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. Indiana is part ...

Braun cited specific Indiana code to define the soft drinks and candy that he sought to ban as eligible purchases under SNAP. Candy is defined in Indiana code as "a preparation of sugar ...

Hoosiers could be prohibited from purchasing soda and candy with their food benefits as early as January, but researchers and retailers question the effectiveness of the move — noting how ...

Indiana’s ban on sugary drinks and candy will be hard to enforce, he said, because it will rely on merchants at stores telling customers they can’t make those purchases using SNAP. What will ...

The restrictions are set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The waiver is a pilot program, which is approved for two years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Indiana’s ban on “sugary ...

Braun said he requested the federal waiver to allow Indiana to impose its own restrictions on the program. He pointed to USDA data showing that soda is the most purchased item with SNAP benefits.