Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: State of Virginia SNAP Demonstration Project

Issuing agencies

Abstract

On September 15, 2026, the Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) posted Federal Register Number 2026-18880, which invited public comment on the State of Virginia'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 Virginia's request to implement its SNAP demonstration project.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 211 (Tuesday, November 3, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 3, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 69239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-22390]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Administration

[FNA-2026-XXXXX]


Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: State of Virginia 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 2026-18880, which invited public 
comment on the State of Virginia'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 Virginia'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#03504e2d454d2d51534e474b522e54464143767067622d646c75"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c2f31523a32522e2c3138342d512b393e3c090f181d521b130a">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> with subject line of ``VA 
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 Virginia Demonstration Project Request

    The State of Virginia requested to conduct a demonstration project 
to amend the SNAP definition of food for purchase to exclude 
``sweetened beverages.'' The State formally requested to conduct this 
project on November 4, 2025. On February 3, 2026, the State requested 
to modify the initial project request to amend the implementation date 
to October 1, 2026. Subsequently, in consultation with FNA, the State 
revised its planned implementation date to November 1, 2026. The 
State's project request and the subsequent modification 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/virginia">https://www.fna.usda.gov/snap/waivers/foodrestriction/virginia</a>.

USDA Approval of Initial Demonstration Project Request

    FNA approved the State's initial demonstration project request on 
December 10, 2025. The approval can be found in the supporting document 
section and at the following address: <a href="https://www.fna.usda.gov/snap/waivers/foodrestriction/virginia">https://www.fna.usda.gov/snap/waivers/foodrestriction/virginia</a>.

Discussion of Public Comments

    FNA received 30 comments on Virginia'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 
Virginia's revised project request 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 
supported the State in its 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 Virginia is prepared to implement the project successfully.

Shiela Corley,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Administration, USDA.
[FR Doc. 2026-22390 Filed 11-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P


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