Senators Urge USDA to Extend SNAP Stocking Requirements Compliance Deadline

Yesterday, a group of 12 Republican senators sent a letter to Secretary Brooke Rollins at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) urging USDA to delay the compliance date for complex new SNAP stocking standards announced in May. 

This is the second letter that NACS has created asking USDA to provide more time for retailers to comply with the new requirements. The NACS government relations team coordinated closely with the senators in drafting yesterday’s letter and gathering supporters’ signatures.

This summer, NACS developed a similar letter asking USDA to extend the compliance deadline. That letter was signed by more than 200 retailers.  

“We support USDA’s goal of new stocking requirements, which have the potential to greatly increase the amount of healthy food on shelves and improve SNAP program integrity,” said NACS Director of Government Relations Margaret Mannion. “But retailers need time to comply, and November 4 is just too soon. If retailers are unable to comply, they risk losing their SNAP authorization—and that means communities could lose access to SNAP retail options.”

NACS applauded the support of the senators who signed yesterday’s letter, which was led by Senators Jim Justice (R-WV) and Roger Marshall (R-KS).

“These senators know the critical food access that our industry provides for SNAP customers,” said Mannion. “Convenience stores have extended hours and are often the only place in rural or urban food deserts that accept SNAP. We appreciate their support for not only retailers’ needs but also the Americans who use SNAP every day.”

NACS will continue to monitor USDA’s compliance deadline for the stocking standards and keep members updated. 

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