Key Takeaways

• The USDA proposes expanding SNAP retailers’ food offerings from three to seven items per staple food group.
• This change aims to improve food diversity and eliminate loopholes that allow unhealthy snacks to qualify as staple foods.
• The update is expected to enhance program integrity and reduce fraud among the 266,000 retailers redeeming SNAP benefits.

Proposed Changes to SNAP Retail Food Offerings

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a proposal aimed at increasing the diversity of foods available at retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under the new guideline, stores would be required to provide a broader selection of staple foods, enhancing their offerings from three to seven items within each of the four staple food groups: dairy, protein, grains, and fruits and vegetables.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized the need for more nutritious options, stating, “Retailers participating in SNAP need to sell real food, plain and simple. Right now, the bar for stocking food as a SNAP retailer is far too low.” This proposed change would expand the total staple food variety accessible to SNAP recipients from 12 options to 28.

Additionally, the proposal seeks to close loopholes that currently allow certain snack foods to be categorized as staples. By prioritizing healthier whole foods, it intends to simplify the classification of foods, making it easier for retailers to comply and for the Food and Nutrition Service to enforce standards.

USDA noted that low stocking requirements have made SNAP susceptible to fraud and abuse, allowing retailers with minimal genuine food offerings to benefit from taxpayer-funded programs. With nearly 266,000 retailers redeeming approximately $96 billion in SNAP benefits annually, the USDA declared that any fraudulent activity is intolerable.

Margaret Hardin Mannion, director of government relations at the National Association of Convenience Stores, expressed support for the initiative, stating that NACS has long pushed for a ‘variety’ rule that enhances nutritious options for SNAP customers. She mentioned that NACS aims to ensure easy access to healthy food, particularly for small-format retailers, and will evaluate the proposal to see if it aligns with this goal.

The USDA’s proposal could mark a significant shift in the types of food available to consumers using SNAP, aligning with a broader effort to promote health and nutrition among low-income populations. As the proposal progresses, stakeholders will likely continue to evaluate its implications for both retailers and customers.

The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.