Sanders seeks federal approval to ban candy, sugary drinks from SNAP

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has formally requested federal approval to ban the purchase of candy and sugary drinks with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Arkansas, her office announced Tuesday.

The proposed change, submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), aims to reduce access to what Sanders described as “least-healthy, most-processed foods” within the federally funded food stamp program.

“Banning soft drinks and candy from food stamps will encourage low-income Arkansans to eat better,” Sanders said in a statement. “Arkansas leads the nation in common-sense, conservative reforms.”

The waiver request also includes a provision to add rotisserie chicken—a cooked item currently ineligible for purchase with SNAP benefits—to the list of approved food items. The state plans to implement the changes using the GS1 US food categorization system.

SNAP is a $119 billion federal program intended to support low-income Americans in purchasing food. According to the Sanders administration, approximately 23% of SNAP spending—$27 billion annually—is currently used on sugary drinks, candy, and similar items. Arkansas has among the highest rates of diabetes and pre-diabetes in the nation, with one in three adults affected.

Kristi Putnam, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Human Services, said the change could benefit more than 100,000 SNAP households in the state.

A 30-day public comment period is now open in Arkansas as required by federal guidelines. The USDA has not yet commented on the request.

The initiative builds on other nutrition-related policies Sanders has promoted, including free school breakfast for all Arkansas students and the continuation of the Summer EBT program.

A copy of the waiver is here and a copy of the Governor’s letter accompanying the waiver is here.