Less than six months after Iowa’s Healthy SNAP waiver took effect, a federal judge’s June 22 ruling in Aragon v. Rollins vacated food restriction waivers in Iowa, Colorado, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia – sending grocers back into their point-of-sale systems for the second time this year.
Iowa Health and Human Services notified retailers July 2 that the waiver had been vacated and directed them to revert their systems “in the most expedient manner possible.” Gov. Kim Reynolds said July 8 the state will not appeal the ruling, though she hopes the federal government will.
Against that backdrop, The Shelby Report of the Midwest put its questions to Michelle Hurd, president of the Urbandale-based Iowa Grocery Industry Association, whose members operate more than 1,400 retail locations across the state. Her responses follow.
Was that turnaround time [from Iowa HHS) realistic for your members, and how did the actual reversion go?
The Iowa Grocery Industry Association was in regular communication, seeking guidance from Iowa Health and Human Services in the days following the federal judge’s ruling against some state SNAP waivers, including Iowa.
Upon receiving notification from Iowa HHS, IGIA got the information out to its members right away. The announcement came days ahead of one of the busiest periods of the year for the industry. Because of timely notification from IGIA, retailers have since been able to get their systems switched to comply with the updated program requirements.
With the program undergoing changes, retailers have had to adapt their operations while preparing for the possibility of additional changes and ongoing uncertainty. Retailers continue to focus on supporting both customers and staff while ensuring compliance with program requirements.
Gov. Reynolds said July 8 Iowa won’t appeal the ruling itself but hopes the federal government will. If USDA does appeal and the restrictions could return, how are your members thinking about the risk of reprogramming a third time?
We hope to avoid any more temporary changes, as retailers and participants need certainty and clarity.
IGIA members – more than 1,400 retail locations – will comply with program requirements while also remaining focused on preserving food access in the state and serving SNAP customers with a process that is as clear as possible.
Reynolds signed “Make America Healthy Again” legislation May 20, tasking Iowa HHS with pursuing new SNAP “healthy food” waivers going forward, contingent on USDA approval. Is IGIA tracking that effort, and what would the association want done differently if Iowa tries again?
We’re aware of this legislation. Ultimately for the implementation of any programs, retailers want clear guidance and certainty to avoid confusion for employees and customers.
As said above, our retailers are focused on preserving food access in the state and serving SNAP customers with a process that is as clear as possible.
Did IGIA take a formal position on the waiver, and has that changed given the ruling?
Our position has been to advocate for clear guidance to ease implementation and avoid confusion for employees and customers.
Stepping back from SNAP – what was IGIA’s single biggest legislative priority this session, and how did it fare?
We closely tracked lefforts to address commercial property tax reform, rising energy costs and the elimination of interchange fees on sales tax collection. These issues haven’t yet reached their legislative finish line.
When the new session starts next year, we’ll be advocating for policies that ensure our members can continue to successfully operate and serve their communities without undue burden.
What’s top of mind for IGIA heading into the second half of 2026?
We’ll be watching what happens with the election in Iowa this fall, including the governor’s race between two first-time candidates.
The results of the state house, senate and governor elections will affect the policies and priorities that are put forward in next year’s session.