Brittney Laden says Missouri’s decision to restrict what families can buy with food stamps will force her to reconsider how she feeds her four children.
“I have to rethink my budget,” said Laden, who has relied on SNAP benefits for a total of eight years. “Now I have to budget those things — their favorite candy — or not give it to them at all.”
Laden said the change feels like the state is pushing healthier eating without accounting for how families actually shop or what children are willing to eat, especially as grocery prices continue to rise.
Starting next year, Missouri will no longer allow SNAP benefits to be used to purchase candy, prepared desserts, soda and some juices under a waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The restriction, requested by the Missouri Department of Social Services and approved by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, is expected to take effect Oct. 1.
As of September, about 54,943 residents in St. Louis received SNAP benefits, with monthly funding totaling more than $11.5 million. Roughly one in five city residents relies on the program, according to city data.
Gov. Mike Kehoe directed the Department of Social Services to file the waiver request.
“We are incredibly thankful for Secretary Rollins’ approval of our waiver,” Kehoe said in a statement released by the USDA. “Missouri is proud to partner with the Trump administration on the Make America Healthy Again movement as we refocus SNAP to maximize nutritional health for families while also supporting the abundant agricultural output of our state.”
Statewide, an estimated 655,000 to 660,000 Missourians received SNAP benefits each month during the 2024 fiscal year, representing about 10.5% of the population. More recent data from 2025 shows fluctuations in enrollment as the state continues to update benefit systems.
According to the Missouri SNAP Basics 2025 report, the state’s overall food insecurity rate stands at 15%, higher than the national rate of 13.5%. Disparities persist across racial groups: food insecurity affects 31% of Black Missourians, compared with 22% nationally; 19% of Hispanic Missourians, compared with 21% nationally; and 12% of white, non-Hispanic Missourians, higher than the national rate of 9%.
State officials say the policy aims to improve nutrition, but Laden said it could create new challenges for families already struggling to stretch their benefits. While her own children eat fruits and vegetables, she worries that may not be the case for others.
“For other families, some kids don’t eat many fruits and vegetables,” Laden said. “That can create a struggle during dinner or snacks.”
Laden also pointed to food prices as a major barrier, arguing that restricting purchases without addressing cost leaves families with fewer options.
“The cost of food and living is high as hell altogether,” she said.
She believes lowering the price of fresh fruits and vegetables would do more to encourage healthier eating than limiting SNAP purchases. “Junk food is cheaper — that’s why people buy it,” she said.
Having worked at gas stations and big-box retail stores, Laden said she has seen firsthand how unhealthy food is marketed to children.
“They make money off kids by putting sugary foods on the lower shelves at their eye level,” she said. “So of course kids are going to ask for it, and nine times out of 10 the parent buys it.”
“If the governor wants to make America healthy again,” Laden added, “start by making unhealthy food less accessible at stores.”