On December 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a waiver requested by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, excluding the purchase of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and other sweetened beverages—specifically those with sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, or similar caloric sweeteners as primary ingredients.

Tennessee was one of six states approved in this batch, joining Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Virginia under the Trump administration’s initiative to promote healthier food choices and improve health outcomes. The state’s original August request also sought to allow SNAP purchases of certain hot prepared chicken items, such as rotisserie or grilled options.

Governor Lee praised the approval, crediting President Trump, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy for their leadership in fostering innovative solutions for families. The changes will amend Tennessee’s definition of eligible “food” under SNAP and take effect in 2026.

This development follows a recent period when some SNAP benefits were temporarily paused due to a federal government shutdown, with normal distributions resuming around November 17.