Tennessee is pursuing a federal exemption that would limit the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to purchase certain sugary drinks and processed foods, as announced by Gov. Bill Lee on Friday.
The exemption aims to allow SNAP beneficiaries to use their funds to buy hot chicken items, like rotisserie and grilled chicken, while excluding fried or breaded varieties.
According to a release from the governor’s office, the change is intended to help SNAP fulfill its goal of promoting healthier eating habits, enhancing health outcomes, and reducing chronic illness among low-income households.
The proposed exemptions include:
- Permitting the purchase of hot chicken, such as rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken tenders, while excluding fried options.
- Prohibiting the purchase of items with sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, or similar caloric substitutes as the first ingredient.
- Excluding beverages where carbonated water and sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or similar alternatives are listed as the first two ingredients.
Currently, 12 states have received USDA approval for similar exemptions, mainly to restrict purchases of soda and candy.
Lee acknowledged the previous administration’s role in promoting healthier choices and thanked grocery retailers, food producers, and beverage companies for their efforts to provide healthier options in Tennessee.
As of 2022, around 734,000 people in Tennessee received about $1.4 billion in SNAP benefits, averaging $161 per person each month, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
Moreover, recent funding cuts related to new work requirements from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” are expected to reduce Tennessee’s SNAP benefits by 20%, leading to an overall loss of about $250 million, although the timeline for these work requirements is still unclear.
