No more soda/energy drinks: New SNAP changes set for 2026

LINCOLN, Neb (KLKN) — As the New Year begins, so do new rules for SNAP benefits, changing what families can put in their carts and on their tables.

The SNAP Healthy Choice Waiver starts January 1.

“One of the most important parts of the SNAP program is choice,” said Chief Operating Officer of the Food Bank of Lincoln, Tiffany Murray.

The new rules mean SNAP benefits can no longer be used to purchase specific items, such as soda and energy drinks.

But at the Food Bank of Lincoln, the conversation goes deeper than just what’s on a receipt.

“For folks that don’t know where exactly their next meal is going to come from, those benefits are critical in them being able to know that they have those dollars to put food on the table for their families,” Murray said.

She said SNAP and food pantries are meant to work together, but one cannot replace the other.

While the policy change focuses on specific items, the Food Bank of Lincoln emphasizes the bigger picture: access to food is about more than nutrition.

It’s about stability, dignity, and peace of mind.

“SNAP is one of many pieces that help folks be able to bridge that gap in their everyday life,” Murray said.

As SNAP changes take effect, Murray said their doors remain open, and their message remains the same: food assistance is not a handout; it’s a lifeline.

“I think what neighbors could expect from the Food Bank is consistency and stability; we are going to continue to show up, regardless of what changes may be going on around us.”