Following the signing of the 2025 Wisconsin Act 116 this past March, families and FoodShare recipients across the state are bracing for a significant shift in how they can use their benefits. Under the new restrictions, which are a key policy win championed by Wisconsin Republicans, the state is moving to ban the purchase of soda and candy with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds. Democrats have voiced their anger as many local Conservatives have taken to social media to celebrate the ban on sweets.
In a post shared to Facebook here, news about the recent changes to SNAP benefits hitting Wisconsin triggered a slew of arguments from liberals and conservatives alike. Governor Tony Evers recently signed the act into law, calling it a “compromise,” and all those who use Foodshare to purchase food have to adhere to the program. This comes hot on the heels of incoming changes designed to prevent Wisconsin from having to pay a large set of penalties and fees as well, due to the implementation of the Big Beautiful Bill. Here was his statement on the recent changes.
Over 700,000 Wisconsinites, including 270,000 kids, depend on FoodShare, and with the chaos at the federal level, it’s critical that we do everything we can to support this program that helps kids, families, and seniors across our state. Making sure folks have food to eat is one of the most basic things we do as a society—we should be doing everything we can to make sure Wisconsinites and Americans can access basic necessities like food. It’s pretty simple, with rising costs on everything from groceries to gas and federal cuts to basic programs that help thousands access basic necessities like food, Wisconsin’s working families are already struggling to make ends meet. And, unfortunately, thanks to changes under President Trump and Republicans’ so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ things could get a whole lot worse for folks across Wisconsin—and our state’s bottom line. Wisconsin taxpayers are already on the hook for over $284 million in future state budgets because of the ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ so it was important that we get this bill done to help make sure Wisconsinites don’t have to fork over hundreds of millions of dollars more in penalty fees to the Trump Administration every year.
Between his statement, the ban on sweets, and the extended working age, there were some testy exchanges on social media.
“Good. If you want sweets, you can buy the ingredients to make box cake mixes, and kool aid has some amazing flavors. You can also bake cookies using approved items.”
“All the angry reacts are the usual suspects”
“They can use that cash for lobster and steak.”
“I feel for the families that don’t have much with rising prices and Christmas and Easter and holidays where candy is one thing they can give there children. It maybe soda ok soda fine but candy isn’t so bad .. I think that them taking that away is just wrong. Just my opinion”
We will see how the changes affect Wisconsin people over time, or whether any changes are designed to repeal the law, but it will be a while before that happens, judging by the current administration’s efforts.
