Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Dec. 12, 2024 – Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders sparked a heated debate with her proposal to reform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The governor suggested restricting SNAP funds from being used to purchase snacks, candy, and desserts, arguing that the $113 billion program is promoting unhealthy eating habits at taxpayers’ expense. According to Sanders, nearly 23% of SNAP purchases are spent on these items. She called for changes to prioritize healthier food options and better use of public funds.

In Jonesboro, reactions to the proposal have been mixed.

Amy Lopez, a mother of three, praised the initiative.

“This reform could be a game-changer,” she said. “SNAP should support families in making healthy choices. If the program encourages nutritious eating, it benefits everyone by reducing long-term healthcare costs.”

Not everyone shares her enthusiasm. Jessica Miller, a SNAP recipient and single mother, voiced strong opposition.

“Restricting what we can buy feels like an attack on poor families,” Miller said. “We’re already struggling to make ends meet, and sometimes buying a treat for your kids is all you can do to make their day. This won’t solve poverty or hunger.”

Some officials are concerned that this kind of restriction could stigmatize SNAP users and create barriers at the grocery checkout. It’s not clear how retailers would enforce this policy, and it risks alienating the very people the program is designed to help, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, with the group, had this to say to a House Committee on Agriculture:

“The organization has adopted a position statement that the ‘total diet’ or overall pattern of food eaten should be the most important focus of healthy eating. All foods can fit into a healthy diet if consumed in moderation and with appropriate portion size, and as a result, no particular food should be always banned.”

As lawmakers consider the proposal, the debate highlights the balance between encouraging healthy habits and respecting individual autonomy in federally funded programs.

Sanders plans to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a waiver allowing the state to prohibit SNAP benefits from being used for junk food and instead support the purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, and protein.

She first sent a letter to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President-elect Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and to Trump’s USDA nominee, Brooke Rollins. She also asked them to prohibit the sale of junk food through SNAP nationally.