In a first-of-its-kind move, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ waiver request to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as food stamps.
The landmark waiver, signed by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, makes Arkansas the first state in the nation to implement such a policy. The state will use the GS1 US food categorization system to enforce the new restrictions.
Federal and state officials cited rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease — particularly in Arkansas, where one-third of residents have diabetes or pre-diabetes — as key reasons for the change. SNAP, a $119 billion federal program, currently sees an estimated $27 billion annually spent on items such as sugary drinks, candy, and desserts.
The policy follows a string of nutrition-focused initiatives by the Sanders administration, including legislation to provide free school breakfast and lunch to all Arkansas students and continued investment in the Summer EBT program.
The new SNAP restrictions will be phased in as the state finalizes implementation plans.
