USDA Releases Complex Overhaul of SNAP Stocking Requirements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Thursday its final rule overhauling staple food stocking requirements for SNAP-authorized retailers—one of the most significant changes to SNAP retail policy in decades. The rule implements a congressional mandate from the 2014 Farm Bill to increase retailer stocking requirements from three varieties of food to seven varieties of food in the four staple food groups and makes extensive changes to what retailers must stock to maintain their SNAP authorization.

"Today's final rule represents a massive shift in SNAP policy, and right now it raises more questions than it answers. We are reviewing the rule carefully with our members and pressing USDA for the guidance retailers need to understand its implications," said Margaret Mannion, director of government relations at NACS. "Convenience stores are one of the most accessible food retail options in this country, and we want to make sure this rule doesn't inadvertently push stores out of SNAP and leave communities without a place to use their benefits."

The USDA rule introduces a complex three-tiered variety structure that will require retailers to carefully evaluate nearly every product on their shelves to determine what counts and what doesn't. It also includes broad, unclear groupings of different foods as though they are the same. Small businesses will need significant time simply to understand how the rule will work. And with only six months to comply, that timeline leaves retailers with little room for error.

Convenience stores are a critical point of access for SNAP households across the country, and any SNAP rule must reflect that reality. Convenience stores make up 45% of all SNAP-authorized retailers, and 93% of Americans live within 10 minutes of one, including 86% of rural Americans.

For SNAP households without a car, a nearby grocery store, or shopping outside traditional retail hours, the neighborhood convenience store is often the primary or only option for redeeming their benefits. NACS is working to ensure that the implementation of the final rule maintains that access.

NACS offers SNAP resources for retailers which can be found here.