USDA Proposes Doubling SNAP Retailer Food Variety to Enhance Nutrition Access

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, led by Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, has proposed stronger stocking requirements for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to combat fraud and improve nutrition access. The new rules would increase the variety of staple foods required from three to seven per category (dairy, protein, grain, and fruits and vegetables), more than doubling the food choices available to SNAP participants. Additionally, the proposal aims to close loopholes that allow snack foods to qualify as staple items and simplify food classifications to enhance compliance and enforcement. These changes are part of a broader USDA effort to protect taxpayer dollars, ensure integrity in federal nutrition programs, and provide healthier food options to low-income families. Secretary Rollins emphasized that the current low standards enable some retailers to game the system, leaving vulnerable Americans with insufficient healthy options. This initiative aligns with President Trump's mission to "Make America Healthy Again."