COLUMBIA, S.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Governor Henry McMaster’s waiver to exclude the purchase of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and sweetened beverages from the list of eligible foods under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, in South Carolina.

The announcement came on Wednesday from the USDA, which approved South Carolina and five other states for the waiver.

Governor McMaster announced his intent to pursue the waiver in August and issued an executive order in September directing the South Carolina Department of Social Services to submit the waiver request.

The order stated that they hope to implement the change by Aug. 31, 2026.

State and national health data were cited in support of the policy chang

See Full Page