Metro Disaster Specialists

Britt Stewart, CEO, from left; Meredith Pierce, marketing director; and Payton Smith, chief operating officer

What qualities are most important for professionals in your field?

The most important qualities in this industry are empathy, resilience, professionalism, technical skills and adaptability. Disaster restoration isn’t just about fixing buildings — it’s about helping people get back to normal after a crisis. Our crews need to work quickly while also being compassionate and understanding.

What have been your organization’s proudest moments?

Over the last five years, we have responded to some of the most significant disasters in Arkansas, including the COVID-19 pandemic, during which we provided essential disinfecting services to keep businesses and facilities safe. We were on the front lines with a record snowfall over Christmas, causing burst pipes and water damage. We have worked tirelessly to restore homes and businesses after multiple tornadoes in Arkansas, including the most recent damage in Cave City. We also had the honor of responding to the fire at the Arkansas State Capitol, ensuring that this historic structure was properly restored and protected. Being trusted by our neighbors during these critical times is a testament to our reputation, dedication and expertise.

How does your company distinguish itself?

With nearly 50 years in business as a local, family-owned company, we bring a combined experience of over 100 years to every job. Our portfolio includes over 30,000 completed projects, showcasing our ability to handle disasters of all sizes with efficiency and expertise. As a full-service, licensed general contractor, we take a personalized approach, treating every client like a neighbor in need.

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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, continues to be in the crosshairs of state and federal lawmakers.

The Trump administration and the U.S. House of Representatives want to reduce the benefit. On Tuesday, Arkansas and Indiana entered the debate, stating they will seek a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove soda and candy from SNAP. The two became the first states to make such a request.

Arkansas wants to restrict the purchase of soda—including no- and low-calorie options—fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, drinks labeled “unhealthy,” and candy, including chocolate and artificially sweetened varieties. SNAP recipients, however, would be allowed to buy ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken, which is currently ineligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.

Indiana’s plan is less detailed. It simply proposes the exclusion of candy and soft drinks from SNAP. However, Gov. Mike Braun signed executive orders that add work requirements for SNAP recipients and reinstate income and asset verification rules. Indiana will also review improper payments and other administrative errors to ensure SNAP complies with federal standards set by the Trump administration.

The National Confectioners Association was among several food industry groups that criticized the actions of Arkansas and Indiana. The NCA said SNAP recipients have virtually the same purchasing patterns as non-SNAP recipients.

Legislation would allow hot food purchases with SNAP benefits

“This policy approach is misguided and not needed when it comes to chocolate and candy,” the NCA said in a statement. “SNAP participants and non-SNAP participants both understand that chocolate and candy are treats—not meal replacements.”

Carly Schildhaus, a spokesperson for the NCA, said only about 2% of SNAP purchases are candy—significantly less than categories like soda, prepared desserts, salty and savory snacks, and baked goods.

“This is why these proposed bans are not needed when it comes to candy,” Schildhaus said. “There are other categories that rank far higher than chocolate and candy.”

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins joined Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders during Tuesday’s announcement of the state’s plan and praised the direction, encouraging other states to follow suit.

“Gov. Sanders is confronting childhood diseases head-on, and it starts with what families consume,” Rollins said in a statement. “[Tuesday’s] waiver announcement is a welcome one, and I look forward to moving through the approval process swiftly.”

Louisiana is among the states considering similar restrictions. State lawmakers there want to remove soda from the list of SNAP-eligible foods.

SNAP benefits on the chopping block

However, Louisiana is also introducing a new initiative aimed at increasing access to healthy foods. The state Department of Children and Family Services launched a pilot program that gives SNAP recipients a 30-cent bonus for every dollar spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at select Walmart stores in six parishes. SNAP shoppers can earn up to $25 per month in bonus benefits during the pilot phase.

Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Idaho are also pursuing initiatives to restrict the purchase of junk food with SNAP. The Healthy SNAP Act, filed by Rep. Josh Brecheen, R-Okla., would ban items such as candy and ice cream.

The NCA warned that implementing such restrictions would be nearly impossible.

“If retailers are required to scrutinize individual product eligibility and flag each eligible and non-eligible item at their point of sale, this will substantially increase compliance challenges for retailers and will decrease the number of eligible SNAP retailers,” the group said.

The NCA also argued that definitions of “candy” vary by state. “The same granola bar or trail mix could be banned as a SNAP-eligible purchase in one state, but be eligible across the border in another,” it said.

No city-owned grocery store for Chicago

In Washington, the House Republicans’ proposed budget aims to cut $2 trillion in mandatory spending over the next decade. About $230 billion of that would come from the USDA, which oversees SNAP.

A report released last year by the House Republican Study Committee recommended a 22% cut to the food security program.

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