A major change to Arkansas’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, officially takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Under a waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits in Arkansas can no longer be used to purchase soft drinks, including low- and no-calorie sodas, candy, fruit and vegetable drinks containing less than 50% natural juice, and other unhealthy beverages.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the change is intended to improve the health of Arkansans while restoring the program’s focus on nutrition.
“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,” Sanders said. “Arkansas is fixing that broken system.”
The Arkansas Department of Human Services has also launched a new mobile app that allows SNAP recipients to scan products while shopping to determine whether an item qualifies for purchase using SNAP benefits. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices.
According to state officials, unhealthy products account for approximately 23% of all SNAP purchases nationwide, totaling about $27 billion annually. Arkansas officials point to high rates of obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases as reasons for implementing the new restrictions.
Research cited by the state indicates limiting sugary beverage purchases through SNAP could help reduce childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes nationwide.
The new policy is part of a broader effort by the Sanders administration to improve nutrition and public health through initiatives including free school breakfasts, the Arkansas Plate Initiative, the Arkansas Rice in Schools program, and the #RazorbackReady2026 fitness challenge.
