June 10, 2025
Governor of Arkansas
State Capitol Building
Little Rock, AR 72201
Secretary
Arkansas Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 1437
Little Rock, AR 72203
Dear Governor Huckabee Sanders:
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is pleased to approve the request dated April 15, 2025, from the Arkansas Department of Human Services to allow the state to operate a novel demonstration project to amend the statutory definition of ineligible food for purchase by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Arkansas will exclude from the definition of eligible foods the following food and beverage items: soda, low and no-calorie soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, other unhealthy drinks, and candy. This approval, subject to the enclosed terms and conditions, is for two years, effective July 1, 2026.
Due to the novel design of the project, FNS is committed to carefully and comprehensively evaluating how waiving the state’s definition of food in this way impacts SNAP participants and retailers. FNS will carefully review the results of the project, based on the evaluation data provided by the state and other available information.
FNS will continue to collaborate with the state to finalize data collection points, define key metrics, and outline any necessary data analysis for the quarterly evaluation reports, as well as finalize key implementation parameters such as a threshold standard for retailers.
Please submit written acceptance of this approval and the terms and conditions signed by the appropriate state official. Attach this acceptance letter to a chatter post in WIMS case # 00012126. Please tag the relevant regional and national staff listed in the WIMS case team using the @ sign when uploading this document.
FNS appreciates the state’s willingness to test innovative approaches to support healthy choices, and healthy outcomes to best serve SNAP participants. FNS is committed to working with the state to obtain robust data to inform ways to improve nutrition assistance programs.
Sincerely,
Brooke L. Rollins
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture