LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Within the next year, Arkansas’ new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) guidelines are set to take effect. However, one Arkansas lawmaker believes the state’s plan to implement junk food restrictions is “not feasible.”
On Tuesday, Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy) expressed concerns at the Arkansas Legislative Council’s Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) Subcommittee meeting about the lack of clarity from the state over what food items will no longer be eligible expenses under SNAP.
“I have started getting concerns from retailers on how we’re going to implement the nutrition side of the program,” Dismang said to Mary Franklin, director of the DHS Division of County Operations.
MAP: Percentage of SNAP, food stamp recipients by county in Arkansas
In April, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders requested a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ban candy, sugary drinks and other items deemed to be junk food from being purchased with SNAP benefits. The waiver was approved by the USDA in June…