Healthy SNAP Tennessee
Tennessee is committed to promoting the health and well-being of families who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has received federal approval to implement changes that promote healthier food options for households receiving SNAP benefits.
What’s Changing?
As part of this change, certain processed foods and beverages that list sugar or high fructose corn syrup as a first ingredient will no longer be eligible for purchase using SNAP benefits beginning July 31, 2026. SNAP benefits may continue to be used to purchase a wide range of nutritious foods that support healthy meals and household needs
What is Healthy SNAP Tennessee?
Healthy SNAP Tennessee is an initiative designed to help families and individuals who receive SNAP benefits access more nutritious food options and support healthier lifestyles. These updates are part of a two-year federal pilot designed to test whether clearer food standards improve consistency and nutrition outcomes while maintaining access.
When will Healthy SNAP Tennessee be implemented?
The initiative will be effective beginning July 31, 2026. Starting on this date, certain items will no longer be eligible for purchase using SNAP benefits in Tennessee.
What can SNAP benefits still be used to purchase?
SNAP benefits may continue to be used to purchase the following items:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Bread
- Cereal
- Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat
What items will no longer be eligible to purchase with SNAP benefits?
Items that will be no longer be available for purchase using SNAP benefits in Tennessee include the following:
- Processed Foods - Processed foods include foods altered from their natural state and that list the following ingredients as the first ingredient:
- Sugar
- Cane sugar
- Corn syrup
- High fructose corn syrup
- Exception: Single-ingredient sugars used for cooking and baking (such as granulated sugar or raw sugar) remain eligible.
- Soda & Energy Drinks – Beverages that list carbonated water and one of the following as the first two ingredients:
- Sugar
- Cane sugar
- Corn syrup
- High fructose corn syrup
Are you still able to purchase chocolate using SNAP benefits?
In some instances, chocolate is still available to purchase using SNAP benefits if it does not list sugar as the first ingredient.
Are you able to purchase sports drinks using SNAP benefits?
Yes, sports drinks will still be available to purchase using SNAP benefits, as long as they do not fall in the category of soda and energy drinks as described above.
Can you purchase infant formula with SNAP benefits?
Yes, you can still purchase infant formula using SNAP benefits.
Will SNAP benefit amounts be impacted?
No, excluding these items from being purchased with SNAP benefits will not change the amount of benefits SNAP recipients receive.
Can SNAP recipients still shop at the same stores?
Yes, SNAP recipients will maintain their current benefit amounts and are still able to use their benefits at any SNAP-authorized retailer.
Who can I contact if I have more questions regarding Healthy SNAP Tennessee?
For more information, please contact TDHS directly via email at HealthySNAP.TDHS@tn.gov.
Healthy SNAP Tennessee Retailer Resources
If you are an approved SNAP Retailer, please review the retailer toolkit below:
Healthy SNAP TN Retailer Toolkit
Spanish Healthy SNAP TN Retailer Toolkit
Somali Healthy SNAP TN Retailer Toolkit
Healthy SNAP TN Retailer Attestation Form
Digital Retailer Resources - Zip File
Print Retailer Resources - Zip File
Spanish Digital Retailer Resources - Zip File
Spanish Print Retailer Resources - Zip File
Retailer Webinar Resources
Retailer Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a specific product list that will be sent with items we can no longer sell to EBT customers under the new program?
There will not be a published list. Retailers and customers will need to look at the ingredients label to determine if the item is still eligible to be purchased using SNAP benefits.
Has Tennessee submitted a “Hot Foods” waiver?
Tennessee has submitted, but FNS has not made a decision yet on a “Hot Foods” waiver. At this time, hot foods are not eligible for purchase using SNAP benefits.
Are there any grants to offset costs incurred by retailer to update to be compliant?
At this time, there are no financial resources available from the state.
How do I make sure I am on TDHS’s email list for communications?
Contact information was provided to TDHS by FNS from their TN Authorized Retailer list. Please make sure your store contact information is up to date with FNS by contacting sm.fn.rscinquiries@usda.gov or visiting https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/rsc for more information.
Meal Planning Resources
Here are some simple tools to help you make healthy food choices. These can help you get started:
MyPlate - https://www.myplate.gov/
USDA SNAP-Ed Connection - https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/
USDA Recipes - https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/resources/recipes-and-menus
Dietary Guidelines for Americans - https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/
FDA Nutrition Labeling - https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods
Healthy Families, Healthy Communities - https://www.healthyfamilies.tennessee.edu/