Beginning January 1st of 2026, Indiana’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will be undergoing some changes.
According to a press release from the United States Department of Agriculture, beginning January 1st, 2026, food that is defined by Indiana Code as a ‘soft drink’ or ‘candy’ will no longer be covered by SNAP in Indiana. This amendment will be in place for 2 years before being re-visited, and was one of the first of its kind in the country when the executive order was signed in April of this year by Governor Mike Braun.
When the order was signed, the USDA stated that since this project is new, Food and Nutrition Services will review the results carefully and comprehensively, stating that they intend to evaluate how this change impacts both SNAP participants and retailers.
Indiana’s definition of a soft drink is any nonalcoholic beverage that includes natural or artificial sweeteners. This term does not include beverages that contain milk or milk products, soy, rice, or similar milk substitutes; or beverages that are exclusively naturally sweetened using natural vegetable and/or fruit juice.
Indiana’s definition of candy is any preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings; in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. This term does not include any preparation requiring refrigeration.
The document notes that this amendment will not effect provisions that allow certain populations of SNAP recipients to purchase prepared meals from facilities such as senior centers, domestic violence centers, substance misuse centers, and homeless shelters.
Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration has conducted multiple provider meetings across the state to brief retailers on the new guidelines. Retailers across the state are required to update their point-of-sale systems to exclude restricted items, submit documentation to the FSSA confirming compliance, and train their staff on the new SNAP purchasing rules, prior to the implementation date of January 1st.
