BISMARCK — North Dakotans receiving federal food assistance will not be able to use those benefits to pay for candy, soda and some other foods, after the state implements changes approved by the Trump administration.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved North Dakota’s application for a food restriction waiver in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the waiver for North Dakota and five other states. The waivers will change the definition of “food for purchase” under SNAP beginning in 2026.

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services wrote in its application that it would take about eight months to implement the chan

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