US convenience stores say looming healthy food rule puts food stamps use at risk

WASHINGTON, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Thousands of U.S. convenience stores could stop accepting food stamps unless the U.S. Department of Agriculture delays enforcement of a rule requiring those stores to stock more fresh produce and protein, according to a letter sent this week from nearly 250 stores to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

The USDA in May issued a final rule that requires retailers accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also called food stamps, to meet the expanded stocking standards by November 4.

But the industry has not received adequate guidance from the USDA on how to meet the new compliance standards, according to the letter sent August 31 by the stores and their trade associations, the National Association of Convenience Stores, National Association of Truck Stop Owners and SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers.

The USDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Here are more details:

• The USDA rule requires retailers to offer at least seven varieties in each of four staple food categories to accept SNAP benefits: dairy, vegetables or fruits, grains and protein
• Retailers that do not meet the new requirements will be withdrawn from participating in SNAP
• More than 117,000 convenience stores participate in SNAP, the largest share of any store format and nearly half of all SNAP-authorized stores, according to the letter
• Retailers want the USDA to delay enforcement for 6 months after further guidance is issued, to give time to source compliant products, negotiate with distributors and restock shelves
• Convenience stores say they play a critical role in food access for people with unusual schedules or who live in areas without grocery stores
• The letter was signed by outposts of major chains, including 7-Eleven, Wawa, Sheetz and RaceTrac, along with smaller operators