Overview

Montana's waiver allows the state to restrict Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchases of certain items as part of a demonstration project. The demonstration applies statewide and is intended to test whether the change supports healthier purchasing patterns among SNAP households.

Foods affected

Under the waiver, SNAP benefits may not be used to purchase the following items in Montana:

  • Candy
  • High-sugar beverages
  • Energy drinks
  • Shelf-stable prepared desserts

Some products remain eligible for SNAP purchase, including plain or naturally flavored water, artificially sweetened beverages, drinks with more than 50 percent fruit or vegetable juice, milk and milk substitutes, coffee, tea, protein bars, meal replacement bars, certain fruit snacks, and store-made bakery items.

Why Montana is doing this

Montana submitted this waiver to support healthier food choices and study the effects of restricting certain low-nutrition items. The waiver is connected to state public health goals related to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and improved dietary quality.

The demonstration will also help the state evaluate whether purchases of fruits and vegetables increase and whether retailers expand access to non-restricted items, including in rural communities.

What this means for households and retailers

The waiver applies to all SNAP households. It also applies to all SNAP-authorized retailers in the state, including retailers that accept SNAP online.

The waiver does not change who qualifies for SNAP. It also does not change benefit amounts. Retailers will need to update point-of-sale systems to block restricted items.

Implementation timeline

  • August 2026: Household communication and staff training.
  • Sept. 15, 2026: Retailer readiness target date.
  • Sept. 30, 2026: Go-live date.
  • Jan. 1, 2027: Retailer grace period ends. 
  • Oct. 1, 2028: Anticipated expiration date.

Evaluation and monitoring

Montana will evaluate the demonstration over time. The state plans to review purchasing patterns, client, retailer, and stakeholder feedback, and cross-border shopping activity.

This evaluation is intended to help Montana and federal partners understand how the waiver affects food purchasing, program operations, and access.

Restricted Foods Definitions

Type Excluded Foods Exceptions
Candy A shelf-stable preparation of sugar, honey, or other nutritive or non-nutritive sweeteners, in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients, or flavorings, in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. Includes gelatin-based confections (gummies), licorice, hard candies, and compressed sugar pieces. Does not include baking ingredients, fruit snacks made with real fruit and no added sugar, granola, trail mix and similar products that are substantially nut and/or real fruit based, protein bars, or meal replacement bars.
High-Sugar Beverages Nonalcoholic beverages that are made with carbonated water or flat water and sweetened with more than 10 g of sugar per 8 fluid ounces. Does not include carbonated or flat water that is plain or naturally flavored, artificially sweetened beverages, or any beverage that is greater than 50 percent vegetable or fruit juice by volume, meal replacement beverages, medical-grade electrolyte replacement beverages, milk, or milk substitute products.
Energy Drinks Beverages that contain more than 6 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce, or more than 140 mg total caffeine per container, plus one or more of the following ingredients: taurine, guarana, glucuronolactone, ginseng, yerba mate, or other stimulants, including herbal stimulants. Does not include coffee, tea, or any beverages that are substantially coffee- or tea-based (some may be restricted by High-Sugar Beverages).
Prepared Desserts (shelf-stable) Prepared desserts mean processed, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat, pre-packaged sweet food intended for immediate consumption without any further preparation. This would include foods mostly made from “chemically” modified substances extracted from foods, along with additives to enhance taste, texture, appearance, and durability, with minimal whole foods. Does not include store-made bakery items.

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