The new initiative of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, “Laboratories of Innovation”, provides for exactly this. This new program would improve existing federal nutrition programs by deploying solutions driven by the states closest to the challenges. This momentous announcement just so happened to coincide with her first full day in office. It further demonstrates her fierce dedication to safeguarding taxpayer dollars and addressing critical public health challenges across the country.
The effort is part of the initiative’s broader “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) program. As it describes on its website, its main goal is to address the epidemic of chronic diseases impacting the US. To date, six states have received waiver approval to restrict food choices in Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). These states are Hawai’i, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. These waivers will prevent SNAP benefits from being used on certain processed foods and sugary drinks, aligning with the initiative’s goal of restoring SNAP to its original purpose: nutrition.
Under the approved waivers, these states can amend the statutory definition of ‘food for purchase’ under the federal program starting in 2026. This most recent reform is an extension of previous announcements rolled out by Rollins and U.S. They limited the purchase of “junk food” with SNAP dollars in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida, and West Virginia.
Rollins emphasized the importance of these changes, stating, “President Trump has made it clear: we are restoring SNAP to its true purpose—nutrition. Under the MAHA initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic diseases epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long.”
Kennedy noted how significant these state reforms are. He emphasized the double burden taxpayers face when they fund programs that create negative health impacts. He remarked, “We cannot continue a system that forces taxpayers to fund programs that make people sick and then pay a second time to treat the illnesses those very programs help create.”
The initiative aims to empower states to lead in addressing health challenges while ensuring that taxpayer funds are used effectively. Rollins noted, “America’s governors are answering that call with courage and innovation, offering solutions that honor the generosity of the taxpayer while helping families live longer, healthier lives.” She noted that these new waivers are taking us closer to realizing President Trump’s promise. Like us, they seek to Make America Healthy Again.
