Gov. Pillen Seeks Federal Approval to Ban Soda, Energy Drink Purchases with SNAP Benefits in Nebraska

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has formally requested a federal waiver to prohibit recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from using benefits to purchase soda and energy drinks. At a press conference on Monday, Pillen framed the move as part of his broader “Make Nebraska Healthy Again” initiative, citing high rates of obesity and poor nutrition across the state. According to state data, 35% of Nebraska adults are obese, while nearly 29% of youth ages 10 to 17 are either overweight or obese. The waiver request, sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, would make Nebraska the second state to pursue such a restriction under guidance from federal health officials. Pillen emphasized that the goal is to ensure SNAP dollars are used to promote healthier diets for children, but critics, including Nebraska Appleseed, argue the restriction could stigmatize low-income families and does little to address food affordability or nutrition education. Currently, about 152,000 Nebraskans across 75,000 households rely on SNAP benefits. While the waiver targets only soda and energy drinks for now, Pillen signaled this may be the first step toward broader changes. Federal approval appears likely, though potential legal challenges remain since SNAP guidelines are written into federal law.