SNAP: New “No Junk Food” Proposal Could Impact Millions Starting April 20

By Akayliah Simpson

Millions of Americans who rely on SNAP benefits could soon see changes in what they are allowed to purchase, as policymakers advance proposals to restrict certain food items beginning April 20.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves roughly 42 million Americans, helps low-income households purchase groceries using monthly benefits loaded onto an electronic card. Currently, recipients can buy a wide range of food items, with a maximum benefit of about $291 per person each month.

Under the proposed changes, certain items — including soda, candy, chips and energy drinks — could be restricted as part of a broader push to align SNAP spending with public health goals. Supporters argue the shift could help address diet-related illnesses, while critics warn it may create new barriers for families already struggling to access affordable food.

The impact could be especially significant in Broward County. According to the 2025 State of ALICE report by United Way of Broward County, 43 percent of households struggle to afford basic needs, including food, housing and transportation. Many of those households rely on programs like SNAP to fill the gap between income and rising living costs, according to United Way of Broward County, State of ALICE in Florida 2025.

For residents in lower-income neighborhoods, access to healthier food options is not always straightforward. Many communities are considered food deserts, where fresh produce and nutritious options are limited, and convenience stores or smaller markets — often stocked with shelf-stable, processed foods — are more common.

Policy discussions around SNAP intensified following the federal government shutdown from Oct. 1 to Nov. 5, 2025, one of the longest in recent history. Since then, lawmakers have debated a range of changes, including benefit reductions, eligibility requirements and now potential purchase restrictions.

Critics of the current system point to research showing that more than 20 percent of SNAP spending goes toward items often categorized as junk food. However, advocates say those numbers do not tell the full story, especially in communities where healthier alternatives are harder to find or more expensive.

Local food providers say even small disruptions or changes to SNAP can have immediate consequences.

“I think it’s important to say that so many people rely on SNAP for these benefits of getting food,” said Luna, CEO of The Pantry of Broward. “As soon as people don’t get food, it is a domino effect — a health decline for children, decline in school, decline in work performance for working people. We really want to avoid people skipping meals.”

As the proposed April 20 implementation date approaches, questions remain about how restrictions would be enforced and whether states will adopt or challenge the changes.

For families across South Florida, the issue is not just about nutrition policy — it’s about stability. In a county where nearly half of households are already financially stretched, even well-intended changes could reshape how and what families are able to put on the table.

The coming weeks will determine whether the proposal moves forward — and how millions of Americans adjust if it does.