Retailers who want to be part of the food stamp program would be required to offer a wider array of foods under a USDA proposal intended to give low-income Americans access to more healthy food choices.
Stores would have to stock at least 168 food items to meet the USDA’s proposal that retailers always offer seven varieties of qualifying foods in four staple-food groups — bread and cereals; meat, poultry and fish; dairy products; and fruits and vegetables — along with perishable foods in at least three of the four groups. “USDA is committed to expanding access for SNAP participants to the types of foods that are important to a healthy diet,” said Kevin Concannon, the agency’s undersecretary for nutrition.
The rules “could mean that fewer convenience stores qualify” to redeem food stamps, reports the Associated Press. In some neighborhoods, convenience stores are the only retailers available or the only stores open at night that sell food. The USDA said it would consider “when, where and if any flexibility should be provided.”
At present, stores that take part in the food-stamp program are required to offer at least three varieties of food in the four food groups.
An average of 45.8 million people received food-stamp benefits during fiscal 2017 at a total cost of nearly $74 billion. In 2013, when enrollment and food-stamp costs peaked, food stamps amounted to 12 percent of U.S. grocery spending, says the website eMarketer, so the program can be a significant part of a store’s sales.
The proposed regulation was to appear in the Federal Register today. The USDA said it would accept public comment on the proposed regulation for 60 days.