SNAP Food Restriction Waiver

The Following message relates to the The SNAP Food Restriction Waiver from the Louisiana Department of Health.

“The SNAP Food Restriction Waiver, effective February 18, 2026, introduces additional restrictions prohibiting the purchase of specific sugar-laden items to encourage a more nutritious diet and improve public health outcomes. 

For SNAP Benefit Recipients

If you receive SNAP benefits, the approval of Louisiana’s Food Restriction Waiver means you will no longer be able to use your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to buy certain non-nutritious foods. This is designed to encourage healthier choices and help reduce obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other diet-related health issues.

These changes aim to put nutrition-dense food back at the center of the SNAP program, enabling healthier lifestyles for Louisiana’s families. If you live in a food desert with limited access to healthy options, consider utilizing programs like farmers’ markets that accept SNAP.

What You Can Still Buy

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meats, poultry, and fish

• Dairy products like milk and cheese

• Breads, cereals, and grains

• Seeds and plants for growing food at home

What You Can’t Buy

• Soft drinks

• Energy drinks

• Candy (including gum and mints)

For Retailers

As an authorized SNAP retailer in an affected state, you must comply with the following requirements to continue accepting EBT payments. This involves ensuring that restricted items cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits.”

Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry announces Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Benefit Increase for 2023 Season (June-November)

Those who qualify to receive these benefits will see an increase from $28 (2022) to $50 (2023). Greaux the Good will match these benefits at participating FMNP Match partner locations.

More information will be available soon!

LDAF Encourages Participation in Louisiana’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

“Baton Rouge, La. – Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., encourages senior citizens 60 years old and older who meet certain income requirements to apply for Louisiana’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). The program, which LDAF administers through a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant, provides food benefits to qualified low-income senior citizens to buy locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey sold at approved farmers’ markets and roadside stands.

Those who qualify will receive a food benefits card with a value of $50. The SFMNP food benefits card may only be used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and honey approved by the Louisiana Farmers Market Nutrition Program from farmers at approved farmers’ markets and roadside stands (or farm stands). Each senior who receives a food benefits card also will receive a directory listing participating farmers’ markets and roadside stands where the food benefits may be spent.

In addition to helping our seniors access fresh produce, the program offers our local farmers access to another revenue pool.

“LDAF is always looking for ways to help you shop for fresh, local produce, and with the increase in monetary allocations in the SFMNP program, senior citizens will get to do just that,” said Commissioner Strain. “I encourage you to check your eligibility and apply today. Let’s have another great year supporting Louisiana’s farmers and senior citizens through the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.”

The following seniors are pre-qualified for the SFMNP: Seniors who receive commodities through the USDA’s Food for Seniors Program; those who have a Letter of Eligibility for the Louisiana Purchase Card (SNAP); those who have a Letter of Eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI); or those who receive Medicaid. Even those who pre-qualify still need to complete an application for the farmers’ market food benefits card in order to participate.

Participants must apply every year. Seniors interested in applying for the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program should contact their parish Council on Aging (In New Orleans, contact Catholic Charities).”

USDA Announces Emergency Allotments Ending - Effective March 2023

Beginning March 2023, SNAP benefit amounts will return to a pre-pandemic allotment. This means that Emergency Allotments are coming to an end and benefits will return to being determined by household size and monthly income. 

We encourage you to call your local SNAP Agency {Toll-free hotline in Louisiana - (888) 524-3578} to learn how these changes might affect you and your household.