Indiana and Arkansas are leading a charge to ban junk food purchases with SNAP benefits, challenging the balance between taxpayer funding and personal food choices.
At a Glance
- Indiana and Arkansas governors have requested federal permission to remove sugary drinks and candy from SNAP-eligible items
- Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders became the first governor to submit a waiver to end taxpayer funding for candy and soft drinks in food stamps
- The Arkansas initiative aims to improve health outcomes for approximately 350,000 SNAP participants
- Indiana Governor Mike Braun cited that more SNAP money is spent on sugary drinks and candy than on fruits and vegetables
- The American Beverage Association and other industry groups strongly oppose these restrictions
States Taking Action Against Taxpayer-Funded Junk Food
Two Republican-led states are taking significant steps to restrict what food stamp recipients can purchase with their benefits. Governors in Indiana and Arkansas have formally requested that the Trump administration remove sugary beverages and candy from the list of items purchasable with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This move represents one of the most substantial attempts to reform SNAP purchasing guidelines in recent years, focusing specifically on items considered detrimental to public health that are currently purchased with taxpayer money.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders made history when she announced her state’s waiver request. The initiative targets approximately 350,000 SNAP participants in Arkansas, with Sanders positioning the move as both a fiscal responsibility measure and a public health initiative. The changes in Arkansas would take effect in July 2026, preventing the purchase of soda, other unhealthy beverages, and candy with food stamps, while adding certain previously prohibited items like hot rotisserie chicken that provide more nutritional value.
— Zvi Mowshowitz (@TheZvi) November 18, 2024
Indiana Joins the Movement for SNAP Reform
Following Arkansas’ lead, Indiana Governor Mike Braun has announced an executive order implementing similar restrictions. Braun’s decision targets the same categories of items – candy and soft drinks – citing nutritional and fiscal concerns. The governor points to data showing that SNAP dollars are disproportionately spent on unhealthy items rather than nutritious foods that the program was designed to provide access to for low-income Americans.
“More SNAP money is spent on sugary drinks and candy than on fruits and vegetables. That changes today.”, said Gov. Mike Braun.
Both governors are framing these restrictions as common-sense reforms that align SNAP with its original purpose of providing nutritious food to families in need. The measures are expected to face significant pushback from industry groups that produce and sell the targeted products. The American Beverage Association has historically opposed similar measures, arguing that such restrictions unfairly target certain products and could stigmatize SNAP recipients.
Industry Opposition and Potential Nationwide Impact
The food and beverage industry has mobilized against these SNAP restrictions, with powerful lobbying organizations working to preserve the status quo. Previous attempts to limit SNAP purchases have been met with strong opposition from these groups, who argue that such restrictions limit consumer choice and could potentially harm businesses that rely on SNAP purchases. Despite this opposition, the governors of both states appear committed to implementing these changes.
“Today I was the first governor to submit a waiver to the Trump administration to end taxpayer-funded candy and soft drinks in food stamps.”, said Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
These reform efforts may signal a broader shift in SNAP policy nationwide. With two states now leading the charge, others with similar concerns about nutrition and program spending may follow suit. The Trump administration’s response to these waiver requests will likely set a precedent for how SNAP benefits can be restricted or modified by states in the future. If approved, these measures could represent the most significant changes to SNAP purchasing guidelines in decades.
