USDA approves North Dakota request to ban candy, soda purchases with SNAP

  • Some baking ingredients such as chocolate chips will no longer be covered under federal food assistance benefits next year under a change to North Dakota’s program. (Photo by Amy Dalrymple/North Dakota Monitor)
    Some baking ingredients such as chocolate chips will no longer be covered under federal food assistance benefits next year under a change to North Dakota’s program. (Photo by Amy Dalrymple/North Dakota Monitor)

    By Jeff Beech/North Dakota Monitor North Dakotans receiving federal food assistance will not be able to use those benefits to pay for candy, soda and some other foods, after the state implements changes approved by the Trump administration.

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved North Dakota’s application for a food restriction waiver in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SN…