LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas legislature and the governor agreed earlier this year that food stamps should not be used to buy candy, soft drinks and junk food.
Now it appears that the federal government also agrees. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently approved a waiver that allows Nebraska to impose the first ever restriction against using food stamps to purchase soda and energy drinks.
Arkansas officials are waiting for approval of a similar waiver, but one that would go even further. It would allow Arkansas to prohibit food stamp purchases of soft drinks and candy. The candy prohibition will extend to confectionary products made with flour. The soda prohibition will include fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50 percent natural juice.
If approved, the waiver would allow people to buy hot rotisserie chicken with food stamps, which they cannot do now. In a letter to federal officials the governor said that allowing rotisserie chicken is a common sense reform because it is high in protein, easily affordable and can feed a family.
The food stamp program is officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It does not pay for alcohol and tobacco products. The changes in the Arkansas food stamp program would take effect July 1, 2026.
In February, about 239,000 Arkansas residents received SNAP benefits. The average benefit last year was $299.36 a month for each household.
The governor used forceful language in her letter to the Secretary of Agriculture urging his agency to approve the waiver.
“It is clear that the current system encourages and subsidizes the overconsumption of unhealthy, highly processed, and addictive food and beverages,” she wrote.
The legislature supports the change. Earlier this year, during the regular session, lawmakers approved Act 969 of 2025 to require state officials to seek the waiver.
According to state officials, about 23 percent of SNAP benefits are spent on soft drinks, snacks, candy and desserts. National surveys indicate that Americans are consuming more sweet drinks every year. Obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes and other chronic illnesses cost Arkansas Medicaid about $300 million a year to treat.
State officials will work with retailers to help them make changes in cash registers so that they can identify which foods can be paid for with an EBT card. It’s like a bank card except it is loaded with SNAP benefits. EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer.
Community Assistance Grants
Cities, counties, unincorporated communities and non-profit organizations have until July 31 to apply for grants of up to $1.5 million from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
The grants can pay for renovations, equipment and new construction of public buildings and facilities such as parks, ball fields, picnic areas and trails. They can pay for training expenses related to workforce development. They cannot be used for private fairgrounds, lobbying, entertainment or the purchase of alcohol. They cannot pay off debt or any expenses incurred before the grants are awarded.
