West Virginia is leading an effort to ban soda purchases with food stamps, with strong support from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and growing interest from other states.
Key Facts:
- West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey plans to ask the USDA to ban soda purchases through SNAP (food stamps).
- U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined Morrisey to promote the effort.
- A new state law in West Virginia also bans certain food dyes in school lunches.
- Entrepreneur and Trump adviser Calley Means said at least 15 governors are being encouraged to pursue similar waivers.
- SNAP, the federal food assistance program, currently serves 42 million Americans.
The Rest of The Story:
At a press event in Martinsburg, West Virginia, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stood alongside Governor Patrick Morrisey to announce a new push: remove soda from the list of items allowed under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
RFK Jr. and the Governor of West Virginia just brought kids on stage as the Governor signed a bold new waiver — removing soda from SNAP and eliminating harmful food dyes from school meals.
This is what Making America Healthy Again looks like.
Let’s hope more governors have the… pic.twitter.com/r0O5D9HFgf
— End Tribalism in Politics (@EndTribalism) March 28, 2025
This is part of a broader effort to reduce unhealthy food consumption in government-funded programs.
The initiative includes a new state law banning certain food dyes in public school meals, signaling a growing movement toward regulating nutrition standards.
The proposal echoes a similar bill recently signed by Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox, who also seeks a federal waiver to block soda and candy purchases using SNAP benefits.
Although the USDA controls what SNAP dollars can buy, Kennedy is using his influence to rally support among state leaders.
Brooke Rollins, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, voiced willingness to explore the issue, asking whether taxpayers should be expected to fund “sugary drinks” for children who need nutritious meals.
But USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins pledged to work with RFK Jr. to reform SNAP and stop subsidizing soda and ultra-processed foods.
“Are Americans okay with us using their tax dollars to feed really bad food and sugary drinks to children who need something more nutritious?”… pic.twitter.com/HIiT99unAk
— Holden Culotta (@Holden_Culotta) March 28, 2025
Commentary:
This is a good and necessary move.
When taxpayer dollars are paying for food, the government has every right to ensure those dollars are being used to buy healthy items.
It is not about control—it’s about responsibility.
If we are serious about public health, especially in low-income communities, we can’t keep ignoring what SNAP benefits are being spent on.
Soda offers no nutritional value.
It’s packed with sugar and contributes to rising obesity, diabetes, and heart disease rates—especially in children.
Removing it from SNAP doesn’t stop anyone from buying it with their own money.
It simply means taxpayer money won’t support unhealthy choices.
This proposal is not a ban on soda.
It’s a boundary on what government funds will cover.
That’s a critical difference.
Americans are still free to make their own choices, but federal assistance programs should promote well-being, not illness.
Critics say this limits personal freedom.
But the role of SNAP isn’t to subsidize corporate soda profits or consumer junk food habits—it’s to help people access nutritious food.
Common sense tells us that sugary drinks don’t belong in that equation.
Kennedy’s comparison to the tobacco fight is fitting.
Big Soda, like Big Tobacco, profits while the public pays the price—financially and physically.
Taking a stand now could set the stage for meaningful reform nationwide.
The Bottom Line:
West Virginia’s plan to remove soda from SNAP purchases could spark a nationwide shift in how food assistance is managed.
By focusing on health and nutrition, states are aiming to ensure taxpayer-funded programs deliver better outcomes for families.
The federal government may not have moved yet, but the pressure is building—one governor at a time.
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