Morrisey pushes to prevent soda from being purchased using SNAP benefits

By Autumn Shelton, RealWV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced on Tuesday that he has submitted a waiver request to prevent soda from being purchased using SNAP benefits. 

“For a long time I’ve talked about the fact that SNAP – the N should stand for nutrition,” Morrisey stated in a recorded speech. “Well, now it’s going to, even more than you’ve seen in the past.”

West Virginia has formally submitted a SNAP waiver request to the federal government to remove soda and add healthy food under the program. @SecKennedy @SecRollins pic.twitter.com/jv8N7oPkge

— Governor Patrick Morrisey (@wvgovernor) May 20, 2025

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service that provides low-income, or other eligible households, with an EBT card that may be used to purchase food. 

Federal food purchasing guidelines using SNAP benefits state that certain items cannot be purchased, such as alcohol, cigarettes, supplements and hot food. However, states may apply for a waiver to restrict or add certain food purchases. 

On May 19, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins signed the first-ever waiver request to restrict the purchase of soda and energy drinks that had been submitted by officials in the state of Nebraska. 

“Today’s waiver to remove soda and energy drinks from SNAP is the first of its kind, and it is a historic step to Make America Healthy Again. Under President Trump’s leadership, I have encouraged states to serve as the ‘laboratories of innovation.’ Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Governors in Iowa, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, West Virginia, and Colorado are pioneers in improving the health of our nation,” Secretary Rollins stated. 

Gov. Morrisey said in his announcement that although a request has been made to end the purchase of soda, other foods may be added.

“We’re promoting healthy bundles,” Morrisey said. “That’s fresh produce and lean meat and good opportunities for some hot foods for West Virginians for products that you’ve never been able to have before.” 

According to a press release from the Governor’s office, this announcement is part of Morrisey’s “Four Pillars of a Healthy West Virginia,” which was first announced during a March press conference with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. 

Since that announcement, Morrisey has signed House Bill 2354 into law, which bans certain food dyes and additives from food and drugs sold in West Virginia, and implemented the “Mountaineer Mile,” which encourages West Virginians to walk a mile each day. 

“We have to get West Virginia healthy again,” Morrisey stated. “I’m really appreciative of Secretary Brooke Rollins and RFK for what they’re doing to take on these big fights and to help really move the needle in terms of going after the disease states that we have in our country. And, certainly in West Virginia, we can make big progress going after obesity, diabetes, and a lot of other tough health conditions.”