Iowa’s SNAP Restrictions Are Blocked. The Governor Wants to Revive Them.
A federal judge struck down Iowa’s restrictions on SNAP purchases in June 2026, restoring low-income Iowans’ ability to buy soda and candy with their benefits. Gov. Kim Reynolds now wants the federal government to reopen the fight.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture granted Iowa a waiver in 2025 allowing the state to exclude certain foods from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, including sugary drinks and candy. The restriction took effect in January 2026. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson struck down that waiver, along with similar waivers granted to other states, ruling against the policy in June 2026.
Reynolds said on July 9 that Iowa will not file its own appeal, but she is urging the USDA to do so. She said Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird could participate in that appeal on the state’s behalf.
“This is about the health of our kids, and our data is horrible. And it’s not a mandate that they can’t have those items… it just says if taxpayer dollars are going to be used through this program, that was designated to provide nutritional food for our kids, then that’s the intent of the program.”
Gov. Kim Reynolds, press conference, July 9, 2026
Hunger advocates disagree with both the policy and the push to appeal it. John Boller, board chair of the Iowa Hunger Coalition, said restrictions are not the most effective way to improve health outcomes.
“If the goal is healthier eating, we know that support works better than restriction. Programs like Summer EBT have already shown they boost healthy food consumption for kids.”
John Boller, Board Chair, Iowa Hunger Coalition, July 9, 2026
Boller warned that an appeal would drag SNAP participants back into uncertainty about what they can and cannot buy, and would force retailers to re-implement and potentially reverse costly system changes.
The court ruling currently protects SNAP participants in Iowa and all other states that received similar waivers. If the USDA appeals and wins, those restrictions would return. The USDA has not announced whether it will pursue an appeal.
What You Can Do Now
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Call the USDA at (202) 720-2791 and tell them not to appeal Judge Jackson’s ruling. Say that reversing the decision would harm SNAP participants, create confusion for retailers, and that incentive-based programs like Double Up Food Bucks are proven to improve nutrition without restricting choice.
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Contact Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird’s office at (515) 281-5164 and urge her not to participate in any federal appeal. Her office has discretion over whether to join the litigation on Iowa’s behalf.
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Contact your own state’s attorney general if you live in one of the other states that received a SNAP waiver. Find your AG at naag.org/find-my-ag and ask them to oppose any federal appeal that would reinstate food purchase restrictions.
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Support the Iowa Hunger Coalition at iowahungercoalition.org, which is tracking this case and advocating for SNAP participants. Amplify their public comments if the USDA opens a comment period on any appeal or new rulemaking.