A federal court has ruled against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding its approval of state-level restrictions on food purchases within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The decision, handed down on June 23, 2026, found that the USDA overstepped its authority by allowing states to implement demonstration projects that limited the types of foods SNAP recipients could buy. This ruling effectively invalidates these demonstrations in several states that had received USDA approval.
The court's decision centered on the interpretation of federal law governing SNAP. The ruling clarified that the USDA's role does not extend to approving state initiatives that restrict the purchase of specific food categories by SNAP participants. This judgment reinforces the program's original intent, which is to provide food assistance without imposing limitations on the nutritional content or specific types of food items purchased, beyond existing federal guidelines. Advocates for SNAP recipients have long argued that such restrictions can be burdensome and stigmatizing, potentially limiting access to a wide range of nutritious foods.
Prior to this ruling, several states had sought and received USDA approval to conduct demonstration projects that would have restricted SNAP benefits from being used for certain food items, often targeting those perceived as less healthy. These proposals frequently aimed to exclude items high in added sugars or unhealthy fats. However, the federal court determined that the USDA lacked the statutory power to grant such approvals, thereby halting these state-specific initiatives. The ruling underscores the importance of federal oversight and consistency in the administration of nationwide programs like SNAP.
This legal development has significant implications for both state governments and SNAP beneficiaries. States will now need to re-evaluate any plans to implement food restrictions within their SNAP programs, as the pathway through USDA approval for such demonstrations has been closed. For the approximately 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP benefits, the decision means continued access to a broad array of food choices, consistent with the program's established federal framework. The ruling emphasizes that any future changes to SNAP's food eligibility must originate from congressional action, rather than administrative approvals of state demonstration projects.