Never fails: the ever burgeoning government that believes it is supposed to mitigate all bad consequences is at it again – to give to some it is going to require more from others. And in this case, more regulations, more demands, and putting up a barrier to entry to others (or, forcing some out of business – reformatted, emphasis mine):
USDA: Retailers That Accept SNAP Must Expand ‘Healthy Food’ Choices; 168 Items Per Store
Ayup – here’s the “give”:
The U.S. Agriculture Department on Tuesday announced a proposed rule intended to give food stamp (SNAP) recipients increased access to healthy foods,…
And the “take away” (strings attached) by telling businesses how they will run their businesses:
…by requiring stores that accept SNAP to stock a wider variety of healthy food choices. “USDA is committed to expanding access for SNAP participants to the types of foods that are important to a healthy diet,” USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon said in a news release. “This proposed rule ensures that retailers who accept SNAP benefits offer a variety of products to support healthy choices for those participating in the program.”
Under the proposed rule announced Tuesday, retailers that accept SNAP benefits would be required to offer “seven varieties of qualifying foods in four staple food groups for sale on a continuous basis, along with perishable foods in at least three of the four staple food groups.” The staple foods 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 six units within each variety, leading to a total of at least 168 required food items per store.
And for those that just wish to throw in the towel and tell the Feds to pound sand? So you have a little convenience store that has neither the room nor does Mom & Pop have the bucks to continue to make life a bit more convenient for our “disadvantaged” running into said convenience store (re: how many 7/11 or Cumbies (Cumberland Farms) franchisees can comply with having (for example) fresh poulty and fish?
And what if retailers just drop SNAP rather than comply with the “168 required food items per store”? USDA says it is “working to ensure that access to food retailers is not hindered for SNAP participants as a result of this rule.”
It is seeking comments and suggestions on the proposed rule to help determine “when, where and if any flexibility should be provided” to prevent reductions in SNAP client food access.” (To prevent small businesses from saying forget about it, in other words.)…The proposed rule also “underscores USDA’s authority to publicly disclose information about SNAP retailers who are disqualified or sanctioned for program violations.” That publicly disclosed information would include the name and address of the store, the owners’ names, and a description of the violation.
Ayup, there’s the club – shaming. But given what we’ve seen with HUD and its muscling of town that refuse to knuckle down to its forcing of their zoning rule changes and forced “regionalism, I’m betting this is a warning shot across the bow (or is that into the doors?).
“SNAP violations are a serious matter,” Concannon said. “Public disclosure of this information is intended to serve as a deterrent against retailer fraud. The information would provide the public with insight into the integrity of these businesses and individuals.”
Message: drop us and we’ll make sure you drop too.
It is what Government does nowadays.
(H/T: CNSNews)
