Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Archives - News Now Warsaw https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/tag/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program/ Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:36:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 State prepares for SNAP ban on sugary drinks, candy to take effect Jan. 1 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/state-prepares-for-snap-ban-on-sugary-drinks-candy-to-take-effect-jan-1/ Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:35:41 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=124332 By Leslie Bonilla Muniz
Indiana Capital Chronicle

Beginning Jan. 1, more than half a million low-income Indiana residents won’t be able to use government food assistance to buy sugary drinks or candy. And state officials are preparing retailers and participants for the changes.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the nation’s largest anti-hunger initiative.

But leaders in Indiana and beyond aim to reshape what recipients can buy, citing poor public health metrics.

The changes, dubbed “Smart SNAP,” are part of the “Make Indiana Healthy Again” plan launched in April by Gov. Mike Braun’s administration, with celebrity support.

“This isn’t the usual top-down, one-size-fits-all public health agenda,” Braun said in a Monday news release. “We’re focused on root causes … and taking on the problems in government programs that are contributing to making our communities less healthy.”

That included an executive order directing FSSA to request federal permission to make the changes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the waiver in May.

Sugary drinks and candy are off the SNAP table beginning Jan. 1.

Those are defined as non-alcoholic beverages with natural or artificial sweeteners. Concoctions with milk or milk substitutes — soy, rice and so on — don’t count, and neither do drinks exclusively sweetened with real fruit or vegetable juice.

That means soda, energy drinks, sports drinks like Gatorade and sweetened iced tea are banned from SNAP uses, but unsweetened iced tea, fruit juice or electrolyte replacement drinks like Pedialyte are still covered, according to FSSA.

Candy, meanwhile, is defined as a preparation of sugar, honey or other sweeteners combined with chocolate, nuts, fruit or flavorings — not including products that require refrigeration.

Candy bars, marshmallows, fruit strips, popcorn and mints meet the definition, per FSSA, but ice cream, fruit itself and potato chips are still allowed.

Effective date nears

The agency has conducted “multiple” meetings with providers and contacted provider associations ahead of the Jan. 1 implementation date, the news release said.

Retailers must update their point-of-sale systems to exclude the soon-to-be restricted items, train staff on the changes and submit proof to FSSA.

Retailers and researchers have criticized the forthcoming bans, arguing it may particularly hurt businesses near state lines, as well as SNAP enrollees who don’t have regular access to a refrigerator, a stove or transportation — limiting their food options to whatever’s shelf stable.

More than 570,000 Hoosiers used the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to help pay for groceries in September, according to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

They were issued a collective $111 million in benefits that month, or an average of about $195.00 per person.

SNAP benefits are provided on an electronic benefits transfer, or EBT, card. It’s used like a debit card and is accepted at most grocery stores.

SNAP enrollees already can’t purchase hot or prepared foods, alcoholic beverages, or tobacco under federal rules.

The benefit is 100% federally funded and administrative costs are split 50% with states — for now.

Indiana will likely be on the hook for more SNAP costs in the future, under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

States will pay a percentage of benefit costs, depending on their error rates, starting October 2027. They’ll have to take on 75% of the administrative costs even sooner, beginning October 2026.

Those changes could cost Indiana up to $264 million more annually, according to FSSA estimates.

* * *

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.

You can read the original version of the story here.

The post State prepares for SNAP ban on sugary drinks, candy to take effect Jan. 1 appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> By Leslie Bonilla Muniz
Indiana Capital Chronicle

Beginning Jan. 1, more than half a million low-income Indiana residents won’t be able to use government food assistance to buy sugary drinks or candy. And state officials are preparing retailers and participants for the changes.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the nation’s largest anti-hunger initiative.

But leaders in Indiana and beyond aim to reshape what recipients can buy, citing poor public health metrics.

The changes, dubbed “Smart SNAP,” are part of the “Make Indiana Healthy Again” plan launched in April by Gov. Mike Braun’s administration, with celebrity support.

“This isn’t the usual top-down, one-size-fits-all public health agenda,” Braun said in a Monday news release. “We’re focused on root causes … and taking on the problems in government programs that are contributing to making our communities less healthy.”

That included an executive order directing FSSA to request federal permission to make the changes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the waiver in May.

Sugary drinks and candy are off the SNAP table beginning Jan. 1.

Those are defined as non-alcoholic beverages with natural or artificial sweeteners. Concoctions with milk or milk substitutes — soy, rice and so on — don’t count, and neither do drinks exclusively sweetened with real fruit or vegetable juice.

That means soda, energy drinks, sports drinks like Gatorade and sweetened iced tea are banned from SNAP uses, but unsweetened iced tea, fruit juice or electrolyte replacement drinks like Pedialyte are still covered, according to FSSA.

Candy, meanwhile, is defined as a preparation of sugar, honey or other sweeteners combined with chocolate, nuts, fruit or flavorings — not including products that require refrigeration.

Candy bars, marshmallows, fruit strips, popcorn and mints meet the definition, per FSSA, but ice cream, fruit itself and potato chips are still allowed.

Effective date nears

The agency has conducted “multiple” meetings with providers and contacted provider associations ahead of the Jan. 1 implementation date, the news release said.

Retailers must update their point-of-sale systems to exclude the soon-to-be restricted items, train staff on the changes and submit proof to FSSA.

Retailers and researchers have criticized the forthcoming bans, arguing it may particularly hurt businesses near state lines, as well as SNAP enrollees who don’t have regular access to a refrigerator, a stove or transportation — limiting their food options to whatever’s shelf stable.

More than 570,000 Hoosiers used the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to help pay for groceries in September, according to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

They were issued a collective $111 million in benefits that month, or an average of about $195.00 per person.

SNAP benefits are provided on an electronic benefits transfer, or EBT, card. It’s used like a debit card and is accepted at most grocery stores.

SNAP enrollees already can’t purchase hot or prepared foods, alcoholic beverages, or tobacco under federal rules.

The benefit is 100% federally funded and administrative costs are split 50% with states — for now.

Indiana will likely be on the hook for more SNAP costs in the future, under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

States will pay a percentage of benefit costs, depending on their error rates, starting October 2027. They’ll have to take on 75% of the administrative costs even sooner, beginning October 2026.

Those changes could cost Indiana up to $264 million more annually, according to FSSA estimates.

* * *

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.

You can read the original version of the story here.

The post State prepares for SNAP ban on sugary drinks, candy to take effect Jan. 1 appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Untitled-design-2025-12-17T093230.753.png Community Foundation announces emergency funding for Milford Food Bank https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/community-foundation-announces-emergency-funding-for-milford-food-bank/ Mon, 03 Nov 2025 11:31:44 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=122239 By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW —  The Kosciusko County Community Foundation approved an emergency grant of up to $31,000 in additional money on Friday to the Milford Food Bank as the government shutdown enters its 34th day and benefits for food assistance have temporarily ceased.

Concerns about SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) have been growing in recent days, and even though rulings on Friday from two judges ordered the Trump administration to continue funding the massive program, uncertainty remains.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program starting Nov. 1 because it said it could no longer keep funding it due to the shutdown.

 The program serves about 1 in 8 Americans and is a major piece of the nation’s social safety net. It costs about $8 billion per month nationally.

In Kosciusko County, about 1,800 households rely on SNAP benefits.

In a statement issued Friday, the Foundation’s Board said it acted quickly to help ensure vulnerable children, families, and seniors in our community do not go hungry.

Money will be used to provide immediate food support for residents across Kosciusko County through their network of local food pantries supported by the food bank.

The first portion of money, $15,500 was released Friday. If by mid-November, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have not been released, the second grant installment will be released, said the foundation in a news release.

"We’re deeply grateful for Milford Food Bank’s strong partnerships with pantries throughout the county, and grateful to have rapid-response funds at the Community Foundation," the foundation statement said.

Find a food pantry near you by visiting milfordfoodbank.org/pantrylocations.

The two federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue to pay for SNAP, the nation’s biggest food aid program, using emergency reserve funds during the government shutdown.

Benefits for millions of people are being delayed in November because the process of loading cards can take a week or more in many states.

The post Community Foundation announces emergency funding for Milford Food Bank appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW —  The Kosciusko County Community Foundation approved an emergency grant of up to $31,000 in additional money on Friday to the Milford Food Bank as the government shutdown enters its 34th day and benefits for food assistance have temporarily ceased.

Concerns about SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) have been growing in recent days, and even though rulings on Friday from two judges ordered the Trump administration to continue funding the massive program, uncertainty remains.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program starting Nov. 1 because it said it could no longer keep funding it due to the shutdown.

 The program serves about 1 in 8 Americans and is a major piece of the nation’s social safety net. It costs about $8 billion per month nationally.

In Kosciusko County, about 1,800 households rely on SNAP benefits.

In a statement issued Friday, the Foundation’s Board said it acted quickly to help ensure vulnerable children, families, and seniors in our community do not go hungry.

Money will be used to provide immediate food support for residents across Kosciusko County through their network of local food pantries supported by the food bank.

The first portion of money, $15,500 was released Friday. If by mid-November, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have not been released, the second grant installment will be released, said the foundation in a news release.

“We’re deeply grateful for Milford Food Bank’s strong partnerships with pantries throughout the county, and grateful to have rapid-response funds at the Community Foundation,” the foundation statement said.

Find a food pantry near you by visiting milfordfoodbank.org/pantrylocations.

The two federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue to pay for SNAP, the nation’s biggest food aid program, using emergency reserve funds during the government shutdown.

Benefits for millions of people are being delayed in November because the process of loading cards can take a week or more in many states.

The post Community Foundation announces emergency funding for Milford Food Bank appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-03-063118.png GOP squashes food aid for Hoosiers facing SNAP disruption https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/gop-squashes-food-aid-for-hoosiers-facing-snap-disruption/ Wed, 29 Oct 2025 20:52:17 +0000 https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/?p=122018 Niki Kelly
Indiana Capital Chronicle

Republicans on Indiana’s State Budget Committee rejected an effort to direct state surplus funding to low-income Hoosiers and food banks as federal SNAP benefits expire next month amid a federal shutdown.

Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, urged Indiana leaders to step up, arguing that hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers are at risk of losing the food aid they receive through SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

More than 571,000 Hoosiers were receiving SNAP benefits in September, the latest data available, according to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

SNAP benefits are provided on an electronic benefit card that is used like a debit card and accepted at most grocery stores. The benefit is 100% federally funded and administrative costs are split 50% with states — for now.

“We just have to have the will to do it,” Porter said during the committee’s regularly scheduled meeting. “We just (want to) take care of people that live next door to us and in our communities.”

Porter’s motion was symbolic in nature: calling on the governor and the State Board of Finance to take “concrete action” under their authority and provide funding to SNAP recipients and food banks.

Porter said state officials have moved money around for emergencies in the past. He noted the current state budget includes a $300 million contingency fund for three agencies, including the Family and Social Services Administration.

State Budget Director Chad Ranney said that money is for agencies that might have a shortfall in the budget’s second year because of state funding cuts.

Ranney said the Braun administration could take action on its own, without a statement from the State Budget Committee. But a transfer for SNAP would be complicated, he cautioned.

That’s because the money never flows to the state — instead going from the federal government to a third-party provider that loads it onto the EBT cards.

Indiana’s SNAP benefits cost about $112 million a month.

Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, said it would be easier to send additional support to food banks, which will immediately face an increase in demand from hungry Hoosiers.

Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, observed that state coffers are running ahead of tax projections. First quarter results show an additional $270 million in revenue has flowed to the state over what was expected.

“It’s just that, unfortunately, Washington, D.C., they’re not getting their acts together, and people will be hungry in the state of Indiana,” Qaddoura said. “I think the responsible thing for us to do as legislators and as a committee is truly to work with the governor’s office and be sure that at least for the upcoming month, hopefully, until they reopen the federal government, that no one in our state goes hungry.”

Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, said the administration appears to have options but the issue is too complicated to add to the committee’s agenda. Republicans voted 3-2 against the move.

The FSSA said current balances on EBT cards remain available for use. Hoosiers in need of support are encouraged to call 211 to learn about local resources and services available.

“The surest way to protect Hoosiers from a disruption in their SNAP benefits is for Senate Democrats to quickly pass the Clean Continuing Resolution,” FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob said in a statement. “Until then, families across Indiana are left in limbo — their ability to put food on the table tied up in political gridlock.”

Indiana will likely be on the hook for more SNAP costs in the future under changes from President Donald Trump’s administration.

States will pay a percentage of benefit costs depending on their error rates starting October 2027, and they’ll have to pony up for 75% of the administrative costs beginning October 2026. Those changes could cost Indiana up to $264 million more annually, according to FSSA estimates.

* * *

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.

You can read the original version of the story here.

The post GOP squashes food aid for Hoosiers facing SNAP disruption appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> Niki Kelly
Indiana Capital Chronicle

Republicans on Indiana’s State Budget Committee rejected an effort to direct state surplus funding to low-income Hoosiers and food banks as federal SNAP benefits expire next month amid a federal shutdown.

Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, urged Indiana leaders to step up, arguing that hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers are at risk of losing the food aid they receive through SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

More than 571,000 Hoosiers were receiving SNAP benefits in September, the latest data available, according to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

SNAP benefits are provided on an electronic benefit card that is used like a debit card and accepted at most grocery stores. The benefit is 100% federally funded and administrative costs are split 50% with states — for now.

“We just have to have the will to do it,” Porter said during the committee’s regularly scheduled meeting. “We just (want to) take care of people that live next door to us and in our communities.”

Porter’s motion was symbolic in nature: calling on the governor and the State Board of Finance to take “concrete action” under their authority and provide funding to SNAP recipients and food banks.

Porter said state officials have moved money around for emergencies in the past. He noted the current state budget includes a $300 million contingency fund for three agencies, including the Family and Social Services Administration.

State Budget Director Chad Ranney said that money is for agencies that might have a shortfall in the budget’s second year because of state funding cuts.

Ranney said the Braun administration could take action on its own, without a statement from the State Budget Committee. But a transfer for SNAP would be complicated, he cautioned.

That’s because the money never flows to the state — instead going from the federal government to a third-party provider that loads it onto the EBT cards.

Indiana’s SNAP benefits cost about $112 million a month.

Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, said it would be easier to send additional support to food banks, which will immediately face an increase in demand from hungry Hoosiers.

Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, observed that state coffers are running ahead of tax projections. First quarter results show an additional $270 million in revenue has flowed to the state over what was expected.

“It’s just that, unfortunately, Washington, D.C., they’re not getting their acts together, and people will be hungry in the state of Indiana,” Qaddoura said. “I think the responsible thing for us to do as legislators and as a committee is truly to work with the governor’s office and be sure that at least for the upcoming month, hopefully, until they reopen the federal government, that no one in our state goes hungry.”

Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, said the administration appears to have options but the issue is too complicated to add to the committee’s agenda. Republicans voted 3-2 against the move.

The FSSA said current balances on EBT cards remain available for use. Hoosiers in need of support are encouraged to call 211 to learn about local resources and services available.

“The surest way to protect Hoosiers from a disruption in their SNAP benefits is for Senate Democrats to quickly pass the Clean Continuing Resolution,” FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob said in a statement. “Until then, families across Indiana are left in limbo — their ability to put food on the table tied up in political gridlock.”

Indiana will likely be on the hook for more SNAP costs in the future under changes from President Donald Trump’s administration.

States will pay a percentage of benefit costs depending on their error rates starting October 2027, and they’ll have to pony up for 75% of the administrative costs beginning October 2026. Those changes could cost Indiana up to $264 million more annually, according to FSSA estimates.

* * *

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.

You can read the original version of the story here.

The post GOP squashes food aid for Hoosiers facing SNAP disruption appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

]]> https://www.newsnowwarsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-29-165101.png