Advocates worry restrictions on SNAP benefits could worsen funding shortfalls

Starting Wednesday, Arkansas will enforce new restrictions on using SNAP benefits to purchase junk food, amid a looming multimillion-dollar funding shortfall for its hunger-reduction program. Advocates are concerned that these measures could exacerbate the financial crisis, potentially limiting the program's ability to support low-income families. This move underscores the broader challenges facing food assistance programs nationwide, highlighting the tension between fiscal responsibility and ensuring access to nutritious food for those in need.