A federal judge has voided pilot programs in several states, including Tennessee, that restricted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for purchasing soda and sugary foods. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins lacked the legal authority for these waivers. The legal challenge was brought by the National Center for Law and Economic Justice and a law firm, representing SNAP recipients across multiple states.
Judge Jackson stated that the USDA did not properly notify the public of the waivers, which were planned to block the use of benefits for items containing significant sugar content. Tennessee’s implementation of these restrictions was set for July 31 but is now void due to the ruling.
The decision is viewed as a significant move to ensure that food assistance programs operate within legal boundaries, emphasizing that while the aim to promote healthier choices is valid, it cannot violate existing laws. Approximately 734,000 people in Tennessee rely on SNAP benefits, with an average monthly assistance of $161 per person.
