Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced a plan to change the eligibility of certain items under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The proposed plan involves removing candy and soft drinks from the list of items that can be purchased with SNAP benefits.
This change is part of a broader effort to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent on healthier food options.
Governor Sanders highlighted that a significant portion of SNAP spending currently goes toward soft drinks and other unhealthy snacks. To address this, the waiver aims to redirect spending towards more nutritious food choices. As part of the new initiative, the waiver will also allow SNAP recipients to purchase ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken, providing more convenient and healthy meal options.
The administration plans to use the GS1 US food categorization system to streamline the implementation of these policy changes, making it easier for retailers to comply.
This move is part of a larger call for reform within the SNAP program, which Governor Sanders advocated for in December 2024, urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make similar changes.
