Governor Gordon attends signing of Wyoming Waiver in Washington, D.C.
by Governor Gordon media release
March 6, 2026
CHEYENNE, WYOMING - Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) and Director of Department of Family Services (DFS) Korin Schmidt traveled to Washington, D.C. today (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) to meet with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other Trump Administration officials to sign Wyoming’s Healthy Choice Waiver.
The waiver, developed under the Governor’s leadership and submitted by Wyoming's DFS, allows the state to modernize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by prioritizing healthier food options for Wyoming families.
The Healthy Choice Waiver reflects months of stakeholder engagement, including public town halls, retailer feedback, and direct input from SNAP recipients. Consistent themes identified by constituents included the need for education regarding purchases and a tiered approach to the changes.
Beginning in February 2027, SNAP benefits in Wyoming will no longer be used to purchase sweetened, carbonated beverages. Candy purchases will be limited beginning in February 2028. Governor Gordon emphasized that the waiver is about long-term health, not government overreach.
"As I have said before Wyoming taxpayers expect their dollars to support food assistance that helps families put healthy food on the table," Governor Gordon said. "This waiver is about supporting healthier communities in Wyoming and is a reasonable, commonsense step that aligns the program with its original purpose. Wyoming is leading in a way that is thoughtful, measured, and focused on better outcomes for families. I also want to thank Director Schmidt for her work with our local mom and pop stores across the state, ensuring this wasn’t too heavy a lift for them and our rural families as they drive to get groceries."
"We are grateful to Governor Mark Gordon for leading this effort," said DFS Director Korin Schmidt. "This is an effort to promote and support healthy and nutritional choices for SNAP recipients. Our stakeholders have been open and honest about what they need to make this successful, and we will continue to work together as we implement the waiver."
SNAP is a federally funded program that is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including food purchase rules. States wishing to change the food items available for purchase through SNAP are required to submit a waiver to the USDA. Wyoming’s waiver application to limit sweet, carbonated beverages has been approved.
The waiver defines, "sweetened, carbonated beverages" as any nonalcoholic beverage that is made with carbonated water and is flavored and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners. This definition does not include a beverage that contains milk, milk products, soy, rice, or other milk substitutes, or that is greater than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume.
The second phase in February 2028 would prohibit the purchase of candy, with DFS submitting a formal candy definition no later than April 1, 2027.
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