Forage Steps Up to Help Retailers Navigate New SNAP Item Eligibility Requirements

With new state waivers restricting soda, candy, and energy drinks from SNAP purchases, Forage provides retailers with item-level eligibility support to stay compliant by January 2026.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Forage, the mission-driven fintech powering EBT SNAP payments for leading grocers and delivery platforms, today announced a new commitment to help its partners successfully navigate upcoming SNAP program changes.

Beginning as soon as January 1, 2026, twelve states – Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia – will enforce new rules under USDA-approved waivers that restrict SNAP purchases of items such as soda, candy, energy drinks, and other sugar-sweetened products. While the specific definitions vary by state, the goal is consistent: to encourage healthier SNAP purchasing patterns as part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Make America Healthy Again initiative.

Forage is working closely with grocery retailers and platforms to ensure compliance across states by providing item-level eligibility classifications tailored to each state's waiver requirements. This support helps retailers avoid classification errors, audits, or potential penalties for allowing purchases of soon-ineligible SNAP items, while preserving a seamless checkout experience for shoppers.

"Our mission has always been to make government benefits easier to use," said Ofek Lavian, co-founder and CEO of Forage. "With these new waivers, our partners are facing unprecedented complexity. Forage is uniquely positioned to simplify the path forward and give retailers the confidence to continue serving families with dignity and convenience."

"Every retailer we work with has questions about how these rules will be implemented," added Klay Fennell, Head of Government & Regulatory Affairs at Forage. "By combining our technical expertise with deep policy insight, Forage is helping retailers turn compliance from a looming risk into a competitive advantage."

The announcement comes ahead of GroceryShop 2025 in Las Vegas, where Forage leaders will meet with grocers, delivery platforms, CPG brands, and retail technology providers to discuss how the company's unique expertise is helping partners navigate SNAP's evolving compliance landscape.

With less than four months until the first deadline, Forage is committed to supporting its partners through this transition by ensuring compliance, safeguarding program integrity, and helping the 42 million Americans who rely on the SNAP program maintain access to essential food benefits.

About Forage

Forage builds payments infrastructure that processes government benefits, starting with enabling merchants to accept SNAP EBT payments. 42 million Americans receive government assistance to afford groceries, and Forage powers payments to serve communities in need. Forage is the only USDA-approved third-party payment processor (TPP) that offers retailers best-in-class software combined with dedicated service, enabling complex government payments online and guiding retailers through USDA authorization. Through its direct-to-consumer app, Forage also helps SNAP recipients maximize savings and value of their benefits. For more information visit www.joinforage.com.

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SOURCE Forage Technology Corporation