Arkansas – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a waiver submitted by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders that bans soft drinks and candy from being purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps.
Signed by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, the waiver aims to promote healthier food choices among Arkansas residents relying on SNAP by restricting the purchase of sugary, ultra-processed foods. The state will use the GS1 US food categorization system to implement these policy changes.
Governor Sanders hailed the approval as a step forward in fighting chronic diseases, saying, “Arkansas leads the nation in getting unhealthy, ultra-processed foods off food stamps and helping our most vulnerable citizens lead healthier lives.”
Secretary Rollins echoed this sentiment, stating that the Trump administration is committed to improving national health through nutrition programs and praised states like Arkansas for their innovation.
Arkansas Secretary of Human Services Kristi Putnam emphasized the importance of the change: “The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is about providing nutritious meals to families in need… Arkansas families will benefit by having healthier options on their tables.”
Food stamps represent a $119 billion federal program, with approximately 23% of benefits spent annually on soft drinks, unhealthy snacks, candy, and desserts nationwide. Arkansas faces high rates of diabetes and pre-diabetes, affecting roughly one-third of its population.
Research links consumption of sugary and processed foods to chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. A Stanford study suggests that banning sugary drinks from SNAP alone could prevent obesity in 141,000 children and Type 2 diabetes in 240,000 adults.
The waiver complements Governor Sanders’ other initiatives, including a law signed earlier this year that provides free breakfast to all Arkansas students and fully funds Summer EBT and free lunch programs using Medical Marijuana tax revenue.
Governor Sanders submitted the waiver in April 2025 after announcing plans to pursue it in December 2024. The state will now work toward implementing these new nutrition-focused SNAP restrictions.