TAMPA, Fla. — Starting April 20, Florida residents using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will face new restrictions on what they can purchase, impacting grocery shopping for many families.
SNAP Benefits in Florida: What’s Changing?
New rules aim to promote healthier food choices for low-income households.
- Beginning April 20, soda, energy drinks, candy, and ultra-processed desserts will be ineligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.
- Plain or naturally flavored sparkling waters, and drinks with over 50% juice or less than 5 grams of added sugar per serving, remain eligible.
- Retailers are responsible for updating their point-of-sale systems to reflect the changes and informing their staff.
- Florida received approval from the USDA for these changes, effective January 1, 2026, for a two-year period.
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced the changes, stating they are intended to “better align SNAP with its intended purpose: providing low-income households access to a more nutritious diet to help alleviate hunger and combat malnutrition.” This means shoppers won’t be able to use their benefits to buy sugary sodas, high-energy drinks, tempting candies, or those ultra-processed, shelf-stable desserts.
What drinks *can* you still buy with SNAP in Florida? The DCF clarified that SNAP benefits can still be used for plain or naturally flavored sparkling waters like LaCroix, Waterloo, Polar, and Bubbly. Drinks containing more than 50% juice or having less than 5 grams of added sugar per serving are also permissible purchases.
Coffee, tea, and popular sports drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade are not considered energy drinks and will continue to be SNAP-eligible. Freshly prepared baked goods will also remain available for purchase with SNAP benefits.
Retailers are tasked with updating their point-of-sale systems to block the newly restricted items. They must also ensure employees are well-informed to address customer inquiries about the changes.
These changes come after Florida received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in August 2025 to implement the restrictions for a two-year period, beginning January 1, 2026. The move is part of the Trump Administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which, according to the USDA, focuses on “restoring common sense to federal nutrition policy, empowering states, supporting farmers, and improving the quality of food available to American families.”
Florida is not alone in seeking these waivers; several other states have also been granted SNAP Food Restriction Waivers. Further details are available on the USDA website.
SNAP recipients can stay informed about these updates through their MYACCESS portal, text messages, and program materials. The Florida DCF will also provide SNAP-authorized retailers with in-store flyers to help identify ineligible items.
