USDA proposal would increase access to healthy foods for SNAP participants – Farm Futures

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nourishment and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon announced a proposed rule Feb. 16 that is made to offer Supplemental Nourishment Recommendations Program participants increased access to healthy and balanced meals by requiring stores that accept SNAP to stock a wider array of Meals choices.

“USDA is committed to expanding access for SNAP participants to the types of meals that are essential to a healthy and balanced diet,” Concannon said. “This proposed rule ensures that retailers that accept SNAP benefits offer a variety of products to support healthy and balanced selections for those participating in the program.”

The 2014 Farm Bill needed USDA to make regulations to guarantee that stores that accept SNAP offer a broader variety of healthy and balanced Meals choices. The stocking provisions in the proposed rule would certainly require SNAP-authorized retail establishments to offer a larger inventory and variety of healthy and balanced Meals selections so recipients have actually access to much more healthy and balanced Meals choices. SNAP retailers would certainly be needed to offer seven varieties of qualifying meals in four staple Meals groups for sale on a continuous basis, along along with perishable meals in at least three of the four staple Meals groups. The staple meals groups are dairy products; breads and cereals; meats, poultry and fish; and fruits and vegetables. In addition, the proposal calls for retailers to stock at least 6 units within each variety, leading to a total of at least 168 needed Meals items per store.
USDA proposed rules would certainly boost SNAP participants’ access to healthy and balanced foods. (Moodboard/Thinkstock)

Comments on the proposed rule will certainly be received for 60 calendar days. For much more post see the Federal Register Notice.

This proposed rule is one of numerous methods USDA is working to expand access to healthy and balanced meals for SNAP recipients. USDA has actually piloted the use of incentives to purchase healthy and balanced meals at point of sale in various venues, including farmers markets and small groceries where the incentive offered for additional purchase of local produce.

The 2014 farm bill offered $100 million for Meals Insecurity Nourishment Incentive grants to expand this effort, which USDA awarded to grantees in the spring and fall of 2015.

USDA is working to guarantee that access to Meals retailers is not hindered for SNAP participants as a result of this rule. Comments and help on the proposed rule are encouraged to tips USDA find out when, where, and if any kind of flexibility ought to be offered to avoid reductions in SNAP client Meals access.

The proposed rule additionally underscores USDA’s authority under the Meals and Nourishment Act to publicly disclose post concerning SNAP retailers disqualified or sanctioned for program violations. post to be disclosed under provisions of the proposed rule would certainly be limited to the name and address of the store, the owners’ and officers’ names, and the nature of the violation for which the retailer was sanctioned.

“SNAP violations are a significant matter,” Concannon said. “Public disclosure of this post is intended to serve as a deterrent versus retailer fraud. The post would certainly offer the public along with guidance in to the integrity of these businesses and individuals.”

SNAP is a supplement to the monthly Meals budgets of concerning 45 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are youngsters and 10% are elderly.

More compared to 260,000 retailers nationwide are authorized to redeem SNAP benefits.

Source: USDA

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