Hot rotisserie chicken not yet approved in Arkansas SNAP waiver
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Arkansas' Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program waiver to ban soft drinks and candy, but one part of the waiver was not approved.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins signed three states' waivers to remove candy and soft drinks from the program in Arkansas, Utah, and Idaho during a presser with governors from each state and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Rollins was asked by a member of the media during the presser about whether the Arkansas waiver would allow SNAP users to purchase hot, ready-to-eat rotisserie chickens, since it was not included in the waiver.
'We are working through all of the technicalities of that. That is a significant pivot from before, but obviously getting nutritious foods and the hot rotisserie chickens and others are a major part of that, but we are moving in that direction,' Rollins said.
USDA approves Arkansas Gov. Sanders' waiver to ban soda, candy from SNAP
A spokesperson for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' office told KNWA/FOX24 on Thursday that the governor is continuing to pursue the addition of hot rotisserie chicken to food stamps through a separate waiver and ongoing discussions with the USDA.
The SNAP waiver bans soda, low and no-calorie soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, 'other unhealthy drinks,' and candy.
It will take effect on July 1, 2026, and is expected to last five years, according to Sanders.
In May, Rollins approved waivers for Nebraska, Indiana and Iowa to remove sodas and sugary and unhealthy foods, the first three states to be approved.
Indiana and Arkansas were the first states to announce plans to ban soft drinks and candy from the program that helps low-income people pay for groceries.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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