DSS to Launch Healthy Food SC Pilot Program to Encourage Healthier Habits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DSS to Launch Healthy Food SC Pilot Program to Encourage Healthier Habits

August 17, 2026 - COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) is launching the Healthy Food SC project, a two-year initiative designed to help households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits make healthier food choices.

The goal of this project is to promote healthier food choices among SNAP participants by encouraging the purchase of more nutritious foods while reducing the purchase of items with limited nutritional value.

The program, as approved by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), was in response to a waiver requested by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and seeks to exclude the purchase of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages from the list of eligible foods under SNAP, also known as food stamps.

Governor McMaster announced his intent to pursue the waiver in August 2025 and issued an executive order in September 2025 directing the South Carolina Department of Social Services to submit the waiver.

Beginning August 31, 2026, South Carolina will update the definition of SNAP-eligible foods. Candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages will no longer be allowed for purchase with SNAP benefits.

Diet and zero sugar soft drinks will remain an allowable purchase with SNAP benefits.

All South Carolina SNAP approved retailers will participate in this project, and SNAP households in South Carolina will not have the option to opt out of these food restrictions.

In the month of June 2026, the federally funded benefit program provided SNAP benefits to 235,235 households representing 481,856 individuals for a total of $89,341,975. To see additional data for other months of SNAP participation and distributions, please see our agency’s website here.

For more information on the new program, please visit Healthy Food SC website.

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