Gov. Landry signs order to ban buying soda, candy with SNAP benefits

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order Thursday to ban the purchase of soft drinks and candy using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits while pushing for state and federal legislation.

Landry directs the secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to submit a waiver request to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to exclude the purchase of sodas and candy using food stamps in the state.

“In Louisiana, we’re going to focus on the food that our bodies need to grow and function properly. If you want to consume these items, well, that money should come out of your pocket,” Landry said in a video posted on X.

The governor publicly supports Senate Bill 14, proposed legislation tied to a broader national health initiative co-founded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known as Make America Healthy Again (MAHA). The campaign, organized by a political action committee of the same name, promotes public policies aimed at improving food quality, reducing chronic disease, and limiting exposure to harmful substances.

McMath’s bill aligns with Landry’s order to require DCFS to submit a waiver to the USDA seeking permission for Louisiana to prohibit SNAP recipients from purchasing soft drinks. SB 14 advanced in the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare on April 30.

“It’s time to incentivize good food over junk food. Exercise over screen time. Water over soda,” Landry said. “Our nation is stronger when we are healthier, and I’m committed to working alongside President Trump and Secretary Kennedy to bring the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement to every corner of the state.”

According to the order, Landry tasks DCFS with finding ways to incentivize buying fruits and vegetables. The agency has implemented a USDA-funded pilot project in six parishes to encourage SNAP recipients to make healthy food choices at participating stores by offering a 30-cent produce bonus for every dollar spent.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, more than 847,000 Louisiana residents currently receive SNAP benefits. The program provides financial assistance for low-income households to purchase food.

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