Overview
- Gov. Tate Reeves asked the USDA to bar SNAP purchases of processed items that list sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup or high-fructose corn syrup among the first two ingredients.
- Sweetened sodas would be ineligible, while beverages listing low- or noncaloric sweeteners as leading ingredients would remain eligible.
- The request also seeks permission for SNAP to cover hot prepared chicken, with a plan to pair those purchases with Double Up Food Bucks incentives for produce.
- USDA approval is pending, and Reeves cites similar restrictions previously cleared in roughly a dozen states.
- With federal funds expiring Nov. 1, Mississippi has not pledged state money as Arkansas and Louisiana have, and the Legislative Black Caucus is urging an emergency declaration or special session.