Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: State of Montana SNAP Demonstration Project

Issuing agencies

Abstract

On September 15, 2026, the Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) posted Federal Register Number 2026-18892, which invited public comment on the State of Montana's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) demonstration project authorized under section 17(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The comment period closed October 15, 2026. FNA has considered all comments received and is announcing its decision to proceed with approval of Montana's request to implement its SNAP demonstration project.

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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 3, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 69237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-22389]


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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 211 / Tuesday, November 3, 2026 / 
Notices

[[Page 69237]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Administration

[FNA-2026-XXXXX]


Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: State of Montana SNAP 
Demonstration Project

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Administration, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of approval to implement Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program demonstration project.

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SUMMARY: On September 15, 2026, the Food and Nutrition Administration 
(FNA) posted Federal Register Number 2026-18892, which invited public 
comment on the State of Montana's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
Program (SNAP) demonstration project authorized under section 17(b) of 
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The comment period closed October 
15, 2026. FNA has considered all comments received and is announcing 
its decision to proceed with approval of Montana's request to implement 
its SNAP demonstration project.

DATES: The project is effective November 1, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shiela Corley, Acting FNA 
Administrator, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#42110f6c040c6c10120f060a136f15070002373126236c252d34"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a8fbe586eee686faf8e5ece0f985ffedeae8dddbccc986cfc7de">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> with subject line of ``MT 
SNAP Demonstration Project''.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 17(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008, 7 U.S.C. 2026(b), authorizes FNA to approve demonstration 
projects to test changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
Program (SNAP) that may increase programmatic efficiency and improve 
the delivery of SNAP benefits to raise levels of nutrition among 
eligible households. This demonstration project is implemented by the 
State, and FNA will carefully review the results of the project based 
on the State's evaluation data. All relevant documents, including the 
State's demonstration project request(s) and FNA approval(s), can be 
found in the supporting document section. Additionally, to support 
implementation and ensure transparency, FNA created a central web page 
on May 21, 2025, to post State agencies' project requests and approvals 
and provide exact implementation timelines. That web page is accessible 
at the following address: <a href="https://www.fna.usda.gov/snap/waivers/foodrestriction">https://www.fna.usda.gov/snap/waivers/foodrestriction</a>.

Discussion of Demonstration Project

State of Montana Demonstration Project Request

    The State of Montana requested to conduct a demonstration project 
to amend the SNAP definition of food for purchase to exclude ``high-
sugar beverages, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts.'' The 
State formally requested to conduct this project on or about March 31, 
2026. The State requested to implement the project on September 30, 
2026. Subsequently, in consultation with FNA, the State revised its 
planned implementation date to November 1, 2026. The State's project 
request can be found in the supporting document section and on the FNA 
website at the following address: <a href="https://www.fna.usda.gov/snap/waivers/foodrestriction/montana">https://www.fna.usda.gov/snap/waivers/foodrestriction/montana</a>.

Discussion of Public Comments

    FNA received 29 comments on Montana's demonstration project 
request. Most commenters opposed the project, citing concerns about 
potential health and nutrition impacts, limits on participant choice, 
added burden on SNAP households, retailer and consumer confusion, and 
the project's evaluation measures. Supporters stated that the project 
advances SNAP's nutrition objectives, could improve public health 
outcomes, and would promote responsible use of taxpayer-funded 
benefits.
    FNA carefully considered all comments and determined that none of 
the comments received were significant. FNA has decided to allow 
Montana's project to proceed without modification, effective November 
1, 2026. SNAP's statutory purpose is to improve nutrition among low-
income households, and FNA believes the project is consistent with that 
purpose and represents an appropriate policy intervention to address 
diet-related disease and obesity. FNA has monitored the State's efforts 
to prepare retailers and provide notice to SNAP households. FNA also 
notes that SNAP benefits are supplemental and do not restrict 
participants from purchasing excluded items with non-SNAP funds. FNA 
has determined that approval is authorized under section 17(b) of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and that Montana is prepared to 
implement the project successfully.

Shiela Corley,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Administration, USDA.
[FR Doc. 2026-22389 Filed 11-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-30-P


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