On September 29, 2025, Governor Kehoe and the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) announced that the State of Missouri had submitted a waiver request to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to alter Missouri’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to refocus the program and support the purchase of healthy foods.
Change
Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-30, ordering the Director of DSS to prepare and submit a waiver to FNS to alter Missouri’s SNAP program in a manner that prioritizes healthy foods and nutritional value, discourages foods that are high in added sugar and ultra-processed, and supports Missouri agriculture.
“Healthy and nutritionally secure Missouri families are critical to supporting a path to self-sufficiency and, ultimately, a thriving state,” said Governor Kehoe. Under the Trump administration, states are taking action to ensure that taxpayer dollars are better used to promote healthy, nutritious food purchases. With approximately $1.5 billion in annual SNAP benefits issued in Missouri, we must refocus our SNAP program to maximize nutritional health for families while also supporting the state’s abundant agricultural output.
Federal Assistance
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is administered by the State of Missouri to provide food assistance to low-income Missouri families, supplementing their grocery budgets and encouraging the consumption of nutritious food essential to health and well-being.
“With this waiver request, we are looking to refocus Missouri’s SNAP program to further prioritize healthy foods that truly benefit the well-being of Missouri families,” said Director Jess Bax, Missouri Department of Social Services. “I appreciate Governor Kehoe’s leadership in advancing the health of Missourians and supporting Missouri agriculture. Our department is eager to begin working alongside key stakeholders, including public health and nutrition experts, SNAP beneficiaries and administrators, and related business and industry representatives on the implementation process and further incentivizing healthy food purchases.”
Fresh Foods
Governor Kehoe’s executive order also calls for the Director of DSS to explore and recommend strategies to further incentivize the purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables, and Missouri-produced meats and dairy products within the SNAP program by utilizing and enhancing existing Missouri healthy food education and access programs, such as the “Double Up Food Bucks” initiative, which provides additional financial benefits for healthy food purchases.
Governor Kehoe’s executive order calls for modifications to Missouri’s SNAP program designed to refocus the program to support the purchase of a wide variety of whole and minimally processed healthy food categories, including, but not limited to:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Meat, fish, poultry, and other proteins
- Dairy products
- Whole grains and bread products
- Legumes
Governor Kehoe has also committed to exploring an additional waiver request to allow for the purchase of hot, ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken – an affordable source of protein.
Missouri is a leading national producer of a variety of food commodities, providing healthy and sustainable dietary options for Missourians.
“Incentivizing the purchase of nutritious, locally-sourced agricultural products through the SNAP program will not only support a healthier population but also strengthen Missouri’s agricultural industry,” said Director Chris Chinn, Missouri Department of Agriculture. “From farmers markets and local produce stands to grocery stores across the state, Missouri farmers and ranchers are proud to play a role in this effort to better the health and well-balanced diets of families.”
Missouri’s waiver request was sent to USDA today, opening a 30-day public comment period in Missouri. As this is the first step in this process, Governor Kehoe and his cabinet welcome stakeholder engagement throughout the year-long process to refocus the SNAP program.
The estimated implementation date of Missouri’s waiver, following USDA approval and extensive stakeholder engagement, would be October 1, 2026.
To view Governor Kehoe’s Executive Order 25-30, click here. A copy of the waiver request with additional details is available here.
