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, sodas, energy drinks, and candy 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
  • Candy – Any items marketed or sold as candy and that list sugar as the first ingredient.

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.  

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.