On September 25, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published a proposed rule that would update stocking requirements for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If finalized, the rule would implement 2014 Farm Bill provisions to increase stocking requirements for SNAP retailers from three to seven varieties of food in each of the four staple food categories.
NACS is conducting a short survey to better understand the impact this proposal could have on convenience retailers. While the proposal adds more flexibility in the protein and fruits or vegetables categories, NACS is concerned that meeting the seven-variety requirement may be particularly challenging in the grains and dairy categories.
Your input will help NACS communicate these challenges to USDA and Congress and ensure that the final rule reflects the realities of food distribution in the convenience industry. All responses will remain confidential and will be used to demonstrate the potential impact on small-format SNAP retailers nationwide.
“The convenience industry shares USDA’s commitment to improving nutritious food access,” said Margaret Mannion, NACS director of government relations. “NACS plans to file comments on the proposal and work with FNS to ensure the final rule provides flexibility for the program’s retail partners while expanding healthy choices for SNAP customers. Our goal is to ensure that any final rule on variety supports retailer participation rather than creating barriers that could drive responsible convenience retailers out of the program.”
Click here to take the survey by October 31.