Little Rock, Arkansas – A major change has taken effect for Arkansas residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, as the state officially begins restricting the purchase of soft drinks, candy, and several other products using food assistance.
The new rules became effective on July 1, 2026, after Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders successfully obtained a federal waiver allowing Arkansas to change how SNAP benefits can be used. The waiver was originally submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service in April 2025 and received approval from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins in June 2025.
State leaders say the changes are designed to encourage healthier eating habits and improve long-term health outcomes for families participating in the food assistance program.
“It is crazy that hardworking taxpayers pay for the soft drinks and junk food that make people unhealthy and then pay for the healthcare those people need to get better. Arkansas is fixing that broken system,” said Governor Sanders. “Government programs need to recognize the link between nutrition and health, which is why Arkansas is leading with common sense and making this long overdue change to our food stamp program.”
Under the waiver, SNAP benefits can no longer be used to purchase soft drinks, including regular, low-calorie, and no-calorie sodas. The restrictions also apply to fruit and vegetable drinks containing less than 50 percent natural juice, candy, and other beverages considered unhealthy under the state’s nutrition guidelines.
Officials said Arkansas is among the first states in the nation to adopt this type of comprehensive reform aimed at returning the food assistance program to its original focus on nutrition.
State introduces shopping app to help SNAP recipients
To help participants adjust to the new purchasing rules, the Arkansas Department of Human Services has introduced a mobile application that allows shoppers to scan products while they are in stores.
The app immediately tells users whether an item qualifies for purchase with SNAP benefits. It is available for both Apple and Android devices.
Department of Human Services Secretary Janet Mann said the new program represents an important step toward improving health throughout Arkansas.
“This program will help SNAP beneficiaries make more nutritious choices, and that’s a key step toward improving health outcomes all across our state,” said Mann. “Bettering the health of our citizens is an essential part of our mission, and we are grateful to Governor Sanders and the partners who have helped us implement this important program.”
State officials pointed to national spending patterns as one reason for the policy change.
According to Arkansas officials, soft drinks, desserts, candy, and similar products account for approximately 23 percent of all SNAP purchases nationwide, representing about $27 billion each year.
Officials also cited research linking diets high in sugary drinks and junk food to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other chronic illnesses.
Those concerns are especially significant in Arkansas.
According to the state, more than one-third of Arkansans are living with either diabetes or pre-diabetes. Arkansas also has the nation’s second-highest diabetes mortality rate, while roughly 40 percent of adults are affected by obesity.
State leaders noted that these illnesses disproportionately affect lower-income families, including many of those who rely on SNAP benefits.
Beyond the health effects, officials said chronic diseases also place a significant financial burden on public healthcare programs. Arkansas Medicaid alone spends at least $300 million each year treating chronic health conditions.
The state also referenced research from Stanford University estimating that restricting sugary beverage purchases through SNAP nationwide could prevent approximately 141,000 cases of childhood obesity and 240,000 cases of Type 2 diabetes among adults.
The SNAP changes are part of a broader effort by Governor Sanders to promote healthier lifestyles throughout Arkansas.
Last year, she signed legislation providing free school breakfasts to every Arkansas student. She also launched the Arkansas Plate Initiative, which connects schools with Arkansas farmers and food producers to increase access to nutritious, locally grown foods. That initiative works alongside the Arkansas Rice in Schools program to strengthen both student nutrition and the state’s agricultural industry.
Earlier this year, Governor Sanders introduced the #RazorbackReady2026 challenge, encouraging students to become more physically active through the return of the Presidential Fitness Test.
State officials said the renewed focus on youth fitness follows President Donald J. Trump’s executive order restoring the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition and bringing back the Presidential Fitness Test.
Arkansas also noted that one of the central efforts of the Make America Healthy Again Commission is its “Eat Real Food” campaign, which encourages healthier eating habits through a simple message centered on choosing real food as a path toward better health.
State leaders say the latest SNAP reforms represent another step in Arkansas’ broader strategy to improve nutrition, reduce chronic disease, and encourage healthier choices for families across the state.
