Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides funds to low-income families for grocery purchases. The extent to which SNAP benefits are provided to households, the eligibility requirements for receiving benefits, foods and beverages allowable for purchase with SNAP benefits, access to retail outlets that accept SNAP benefits, and the healthfulness and prices of foods offered at those retailers may contribute to food and nutrition security. It is important to evaluate changes in SNAP policies to understand how these impact the food retail environment and diet-related outcomes.

Information related to evaluations of SNAP incentive programs can be found under Taxes and Subsidies.

Study Summaries


Informing Equitable Implementation of SNAP Food Restriction Waivers

Policy Effective Date: Varies
Purpose: To understand the multi-level contextual factors influencing SNAP food restriction waiver adoption and implementation from key implementing groups’ perspectives.
Methods: Researchers will use rapid, pragmatic methods to conduct and analyze in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of SNAP administrative staff in implementing states and food retail industry decision-makers.
Location: Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas
Research Leads: Center for Nutrition and Health Impact


SNAP Food Restriction Waiver Communication with Participants and Retailers: A Content Analysis

Policy Effective Date: Varies
Purpose: To investigate the extent to which state SNAP agencies, legislators, and governors are communicating SNAP food restriction waiver changes to participants and retailers.
Methods: Researchers will collect and analyze state websites, memos, and social media posts.
Location: Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Utah, Texas, West Virginia
Research Leads: University of Illinois Chicago, Center for Nutrition and Health Impact


Evaluation of SNAP Food Restriction Waivers Using Nationwide Purchasing Data

Policy Effective Date: Varies
Purpose: To understand the impact of SNAP waiver restrictions that limit SNAP-eligible foods and beverages on participants’ purchases.
Methods: Researchers obtained information on food and beverage transactions from receipts uploaded by a panel of shoppers nationwide from July 2023 through June 2028.
Location: States implementing SNAP food restriction waivers between 2026 and 2028 (intervention) and states not implementing waivers (comparison).
Research Leads: Texas A&M University, University of North Carolina, and University of Illinois Chicago


Evaluation of SNAP Food Restrictions in Texas

Policy Effective Date: April 1st, 2026
Purpose: Assess the impact of a state-level SNAP restriction policy, which prohibits the use of SNAP benefits for the purchase of sweetened drinks and candy, on SNAP participants’ diet and food purchasing. 
Methods: Before and after the SNAP restriction policy goes into effect, SNAP participants will complete two 24-hour dietary recalls and a survey on individual and household characteristics as well as collect and send food and beverage receipts from food stores and restaurants over a two-week period.
Location: Texas (intervention); New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada (comparisons)
Research Leads: University of Illinois Chicago


Evaluation of SNAP Food Restriction Waivers on Food Consumption Patterns

Policy Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Purpose: To understand the impact of SNAP waivers that limit SNAP-eligible foods and beverages on participants’ purchases.
Methods: SNAP participants will complete a food frequency questionnaire and a survey asking about their demographics and food/nutrition security before and after the SNAP food restriction waivers go into effect.
Location: Indiana and Louisiana (intervention) and Illinois and Georgia (comparison)
Research Leads: Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Boston University, University of California – Davis, and University of Illinois Chicago


Evaluation of Industry Response to SNAP Food Restriction Waivers Using in-Store Audit Data

Policy Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Purpose: To understand the impact of SNAP waivers that limit SNAP-eligible foods and beverages on retail prices, advertisements, and product placement.
Methods: Researchers will collect audit data in chain retailers via a photograph-based tool before and after the implementation of the policy
Location: Indiana and Louisiana (intervention) and Illinois and Georgia (comparison)
Research Leads: University of Illinois Chicago, Emory University, Purdue University, and Tulane University