Fast food here is taxed 9% where all other sales tax is 6%.
That is an interesting point, where I live uncooked food is tax free, but anything "prepaired" becomes taxable goods and services, so junk food is all taxed, where fruits and vegetables are tax free.
Speaking of which, there is still the Whole Leaf market, which some people rely on for tax free bulk tobacco, maybe a similar loophole will be the answer in the states.
Trouble with Whole Leaf is you're not saving money compared to regular bulk blends so for the time being there isn't much point.