<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2qjp1y_1GzZTTpo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2qjp1y_1GzZTTpo00" width="1200" height="600" >CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Virginians using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will soon see new restrictions at grocery store checkouts, as the state prepares to remove sodas and certain energy drinks from the list of eligible purchases.Starting Nov. 1, SNAP benefits will no longer cover regular sodas, diet sodas, zero-sugar sodas and carbonated energy drinks. The policy also restricts certain other sweetened carbonated beverages.The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) says the restrictions are part of a broader effort to encourage healthier food and drink choices while preserving access to nutritious foods.However, shoppers in Charlottesville have mixed feelings about the policy.“Everybody likes a good pop every once in awhile,” Charlottesville shopper Johnetta Bell said. “You got to think on the healthy side, too.”According to a 2016 study prepared for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, soft drinks were among the most frequently purchased items by SNAP households. Sugar-sweetened beverages accounted for 9.3% of SNAP households’ grocery spending in the study.Virginia is among several states participating in a pilot program aimed at studying whether limiting certain SNAP purchases can improve nutrition and long-term health.Gretchen Syverud, a senior adviser with VDSS, says Virginia chose to focus specifically on certain beverages rather than restricting food purchases.“Virginia chose specifically to change only a specific narrow set of beverages, soda and energy drinks, because it preserves access to nutritious food,” Syverud said.The policy is being implemented through a waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP.According to Syverud, the waiver temporarily adjusts program rules so the state can study whether the restrictions make a difference in the health of Virginia children and families.The program serves hundreds of thousands of Virginians. During state fiscal year 2025, Virginia averaged 445,807 SNAP cases, representing 875,517 participants, according to data provided by VDSS.The state issued an average of $171 million in SNAP benefits each month, with recipients receiving an average of $6.20 per person per day.Children also account for a significant share of people receiving assistance. VDSS data identifies 316,609 children ages 18 and younger as SNAP participants, representing 41.7% of the population measured in that breakdown.No food products currently eligible under SNAP will be affected by the Nov. 1 policy. The amount of money recipients receive, their eligibility and the schedule for receiving benefits will also remain the same.Many other beverages will remain eligible. Those include milk, orange juice, lemonade, iced tea, iced coffee, sports drinks, infant formula and non-carbonated energy drinks.Some shoppers support efforts to encourage healthier habits but question whether the state should decide which beverages SNAP recipients can purchase.“People do need to cut back on their sugar intake, but you’re still taking away people’s choices,” Bell said.Another Charlottesville shopper, Shanise Chang who receives SNAP benefits, expressed concerns about how the restrictions could affect people with specific dietary or medical needs.“I get it, but at the same time, you have people that have diabetes and other medical conditions where they might need a little bit of sugar,” Chang said.The policy has also raised questions about whether additional products could face restrictions in the future.“We’re already limited to can get.” Chang said. “What is next?”Shoppers will not need to take any additional steps to prepare their SNAP cards for the new restrictions.Instead, grocery stores and other authorized retailers are responsible for updating their checkout systems to identify products that no longer qualify.“The changes for which beverages are SNAP eligible will happen seamlessly at checkout,” Syverud said.Retailers have been working with the department to prepare their systems, update product lists and provide information to customers.When shoppers reach checkout, ineligible beverages will be treated similarly to other products SNAP already excludes, such as alcohol and paper products.The requirements will apply to SNAP-authorized retailers throughout Virginia and to eligible online purchases.The department is encouraging families to consider Virginia Fresh Match, a program that can help stretch the benefits even further.“We are also encouraging folks to check out Virginia Fresh Match, which is a partnership that lets people double the value of their SNAP dollars on fruits and vegetables at farmer’s markets and other local markets,” Syverud said.Through the program, participating farmers markets and other retailers provide matching benefits for qualifying fruit and vegetable purchases.For example, a shopper using $10 in SNAP benefits at a participating location could receive an additional $10 in purchasing value for eligible produce.It’s an option some shoppers say is worth considering.“You can’t live on Diet Coke or RedBull, but you can live on what you buy from the farmer’s market,” Charlottesville shopper Paul Enman said.SNAP recipients will continue receiving their benefits according to their existing schedules, and all currently eligible food products will remain covered.People interested in applying for SNAP can do so through Virginia’s CommonHelp website, which also allows residents to apply for other assistance programs, including Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.Do you have a story idea? 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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Virginians using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will soon see new restrictions at grocery store checkouts, as the state prepares to remove sodas and certain energy drinks from the list of eligible purchases. Starting Nov. 1, SNAP benefits will no longer cover regular sodas, diet...

New SNAP restrictions take effect November 1

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Virginians using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will soon see new restrictions at grocery store ch

New SNAP restrictions take effect November 1

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