West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has taken a major step toward improving public health by officially requesting a federal waiver to reform the state’s use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. His proposal: eliminate soda from the list of SNAP-eligible items and replace it with healthier food options.
In a press release and accompanying video shared Tuesday, Morrisey emphasized his long-standing belief that nutrition should be the cornerstone of SNAP, the program formerly known as food stamps.
“I’m here today to announce that we have officially submitted a SNAP waiver request to ensure that soda is no longer an entitlement under the SNAP program,” Morrisey said. “SNAP should stand for nutrition—and now we’re backing that up with action.”
The waiver request was sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees SNAP, and aims to prohibit the purchase of sugary soft drinks using government-funded food assistance. Instead, the plan supports allowing more fresh produce, lean meats, and prepared healthy foods to be purchased with SNAP benefits.
Morrisey’s move follows the recent passage of House Bill 2354, which bans several food additives and dyes—such as red dye No. 3 and yellow dye No. 5—starting in 2028. That legislation signaled the governor’s intent to align state food policy with broader health goals, a theme he reiterated in his announcement.
“I’m really appreciative of USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for taking on these big fights,” Morrisey said. “The Make America Healthy Again movement is about tackling our country’s growing health crisis from every angle.”
The soda ban is just one part of Morrisey’s broader “Four Pillars of a Healthy West Virginia” initiative. These pillars include:
- Banning harmful food additives and dyes.
- Reforming SNAP to promote nutrition through waivers like the soda ban.
- Introducing job training and education requirements for SNAP eligibility.
- Launching the Mountaineer Mile challenge to promote physical activity in state parks.
To encourage more active lifestyles, the Mountaineer Mile Trails program designates walking trails in 32 state parks across West Virginia. This is designed to help residents become more active and aware of their health.
Morrisey’s plan also focuses on increasing access to healthy foods. “We’re promoting healthy bundles—fresh produce, lean meat, and even some hot food options that haven’t been allowed before,” he said. “This is how we make West Virginia healthy again.”
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, West Virginia leads the nation in several alarming health statistics: 41.2% of adults are obese, 20% have been diagnosed with diabetes, and 10.8% suffer from cardiovascular disease.
“Certainly in West Virginia we can make big progress going after obesity, diabetes and other tough health conditions,” Morrisey said. “Today’s a big step forward, and there’s more work ahead. Let’s walk more, eat better, and keep pushing for a healthier, stronger West Virginia.”
By targeting soda purchases and promoting nutritious alternatives, Morrisey hopes to reshape how SNAP recipients think about food—moving away from sugary habits and toward long-term health. The success of the waiver request could make West Virginia a national example in reforming food assistance programs to support wellness and disease prevention.
