Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced the full membership of his newly formed working group to seek a ban on using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase certain beverages.

The working group is tasked with making recommendations regarding a federal waiver that would allow Ohio to prevent SNAP benefits from being used to purchase certain beverages shown to have minimal nutritional value and which contribute to conditions such as obesity, type 2 Diabetes and hypertension. Such a ban requires approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The working group is a result of Executive Order 2025 – 03D, which was signed by Governor DeWine on June 30, 2025.

The membership of the Working Group includes:

• Matt Damschroder, Director, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) (or designee)
• Maureen Corcoran, Director, Ohio Department of Medicaid (or designee)
• Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D., Director, Ohio Department of Health (or designee)
• Rachel Cahill, Visiting Fellow, The Center for Community Solutions
• Douglas Lumpkin, former director of ODJFS
• Kimberly McConville, Executive Director, Ohio Beverage Association
• Lora Miller, Director of Governmental Affairs & Public Relations, Ohio Council of Retail Merchants
• Kristin Mullins, President/CEO, Ohio Grocers Association
• Jonathan Thackeray, M.D., Dayton Children’s Hospital
• Lexi Tindall, Clinical Manager for the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
• Pat Tiberi, President & CEO, Ohio Business Roundtable

Four meetings have been scheduled. All meetings will be held on the 18th floor of the Rhodes State Office Tower, 30 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio.

The first meeting will be held Thursday, July 24, at 10:00 a.m. Subsequent meetings are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, August 12, at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 21, at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, September 11, at 10:00 a.m.

A written report of recommendations is due to the Governor by September 28, 2025. The waiver request must be submitted by October 28, 2025.

Support the New Americans magazine to continue to serve our community with precise news that affect the new American, immigrant and refugee community. https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8LHFS78NRNJJY&source=url