RICHMOND, Va. — Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he is "very open" to the idea of requesting a federal waiver to prevent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from being used to purchase items like candy and soda in Virginia.

Twelve other states have already requested and received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for pilot programs restricting certain food purchases.

"We know we're dealing with is just a massive, massive circumstance of unhealthy kids across Virginia and America," Youngkin said. "And so, I do believe that this warrants great study and we're in the middle of giving it in a very focused review. Because, I do think that if we can make sure that our students have healthy diets, and particularly those students that are receiving support because

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