{
  "id": "R44650",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R44650",
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      "id": 463377,
      "date": "2017-08-04",
      "retrieved": "2018-05-10T12:50:48.720005",
      "title": "Updated Standards for SNAP-Authorized Retailers",
      "summary": "The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the largest of the U.S Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA\u2019s) domestic food assistance programs, provides benefits to eligible participants; these benefits are redeemable for SNAP-eligible foods at SNAP-authorized retailers. SNAP-authorized retailers are stores and other food sellers that are allowed to accept SNAP benefits. In FY2015, the vast majority of benefits were redeemed at \u201csuper stores\u201d and supermarkets.\nOn December 15, 2016, USDA\u2019s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published in the Federal Register a final rule, \u201cEnhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).\u201d The final rule implements provisions of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (\u201c2014 farm bill,\u201d P.L. 113-79) that increase inventory requirements for SNAP-authorized retailers. In addition, the rule addresses other USDA-FNS policy objectives. Like the proposed rule, the final rule makes changes to 7 C.F.R. Part 271 and Part 278 in five areas of retailer authorization policy: (1) sales of hot, prepared foods; (2) definition of staple foods; (3) inventory and depth of stock; (4) access-related exceptions to the rules; and (5) disclosures of retailer information. The effective date for the final rule is January 17, 2017, but most aspects of the rule take effect on subsequent dates.\nThe final rule responds to many of the comments and concerns raised about the proposed rule. The proposed rule had been controversial, particularly due to the provisions not explicitly required by the farm bill and due to the potential impact of changed inventory requirements on smaller retailers. \nThis report focuses on the final rule as published December 15, 2016. However, a number of the changes in the rule will not go into effect due to provisions in the FY2017 appropriations law (P.L. 115-31, enacted May 5, 2017), which directed USDA to change substantially its implementation of the final rule, particularly retailer inventory requirements. \nThis report currently reflects USDA-FNS plans to implement the final rule as of August 4, 2017. However, the report may not reflect policy developments that have occurred since then. For the most current information on the implementation of retailer standards, see USDA-FNS\u2019s website, \u201cEnhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),\u201d https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/enhancing-retailer-standards-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap.",
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      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4856,
          "name": "Nutrition Programs & Policies"
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          "id": 4917,
          "name": "Food & Nutrition Assistance"
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    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 457918,
      "date": "2016-12-29",
      "retrieved": "2017-01-03T22:36:37.203174",
      "title": "Updated Standards for SNAP-Authorized Retailers: Final Rule",
      "summary": "On December 15, 2016, USDA published in the Federal Register a final rule, \u201cEnhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).\u201d This final rule follows USDA-FNS\u2019s proposed rule work earlier in the year: \nOn February 17, 2016, the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA\u2019s) Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) published the proposed rule. \nOn April 5, 2016, USDA-FNS published a clarification of the proposed rule and extended the comment period to May 18, 2016.\nSNAP, the largest of USDA\u2019s domestic food assistance programs, provides benefits to eligible participants; these benefits are redeemable for SNAP-eligible foods at SNAP-authorized retailers. SNAP-authorized retailers are stores and other food sellers that are allowed to accept SNAP benefits. In FY2015, the vast majority of benefits were redeemed at \u201csuper stores\u201d and supermarkets.\nThe final rule implements provisions of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (\u201c2014 farm bill,\u201d P.L. 113-79) that increases inventory requirements for SNAP-authorized retailers and also addresses other USDA-FNS policy objectives. Like the proposed rule, the final rule makes changes to 7 C.F.R. Part 271 and Part 278 in five areas of retailer authorization policy: (1) sales of hot, prepared foods; (2) definition of staple foods; (3) inventory and depth of stock; (4) access-related exceptions to the rules; and (5) disclosures of retailer information.\nThe final rule responds to many of the comments and concerns raised about the proposed rule. The proposed rule had been controversial, particularly the provisions not explicitly required by the farm bill and the potential impact on smaller retailers. \nThe effective date for the final rule is January 17, 2017, but some aspects of the rule take effect 120 days or 365 days later.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
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    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 456355,
      "date": "2016-10-05",
      "retrieved": "2016-10-17T19:20:13.011891",
      "title": "Proposed Rule to Update Standards for SNAP-Authorized Retailers: In Brief",
      "summary": "On February 17, 2016, the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA\u2019s) Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) published a proposed rule titled, \u201cEnhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).\u201d On April 5, 2016, USDA-FNS published a clarification of the proposed rule and extended the comment period to May 18, 2016.\nSNAP, the largest of USDA\u2019s domestic food assistance programs, provides benefits to eligible participants; these benefits are redeemable for SNAP-eligible foods at SNAP-authorized retailers. SNAP-authorized retailers are stores and markets that are allowed to accept SNAP benefits.\nThe proposed rule would implement provisions of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (\u201c2014 farm bill,\u201d P.L. 113-79) that made changes to inventory requirements for SNAP-authorized retailers and, per USDA-FNS, would also address other policy objectives. This proposed rule would make changes to 7 C.F.R. Part 271 and Part 278 in five areas of retailer authorization policy: (1) sales of hot, prepared foods; (2) definition of staple foods; (3) inventory and depth of stock; (4) access-related exceptions to the rules; and (5) disclosures of retailer information.\nThe proposed rule has been controversial, particularly the provisions not explicitly addressed by the farm bill. Driving the debate over these changes has been the potential impact on smaller retailers. Many Members of Congress have raised opposition to the proposed rule, and both the House- and the Senate-reported FY2017 Agriculture and Related Agencies appropriations bills include language to limit USDA\u2019s discretion in setting retailer standards.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": true,
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  "topics": [
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    "Health Policy"
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}