Governor Reynolds, Iowa HHS Announce Iowa SNAP Healthy Foods Waiver Approval

On May 22, 2025, Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) announced that Iowa’s waiver to the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA, FNS) to limit purchases made with SNAP benefits to healthy foods has been approved.  

“Soaring obesity rates have brought our nation and state to a crossroads,” Gov. Reynolds said. “To promote healthy eating and protect future generations from disease—and to ensure SNAP fulfills its core function-we need a change. Thank you to Secretary Rollins and her team for helping make that change happen.” 

“President Trump has given our nation a once in a generation opportunity to change the health trajectory for our entire country. On my first day as Secretary, I sent a call to states to innovate, and Governor Kim Reynolds stepped up to take action,” USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said. “I look forward to signing even more waivers in the days ahead as we continue to restore the health of our country.”

The waiver allows Iowa to align SNAP allowable purchases with the list of foods that are non-taxable under Iowa law. Using the non-taxable foods list is a clear-cut, common-sense way to implement the new guidelines.

“Our adult and childhood disease and obesity rates in the state are going in the wrong direction. Limiting food benefits to purchase only the foods we know are healthier is a step in the right direction for Iowans,” Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia said. “We are working closely with our partners at FNS and our retailers in the state to make sure we are thoughtful in our approach and are doing everything in our power to guide our children and families in our system to healthier choices.”

The waiver will go into effect on January 1, 2026.