Last week the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the USDA, proposed updating its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application forms for retail store owners. The forms are used to help determine whether a store is eligible to participate in SNAP and whether existing SNAP retailers are meeting eligibility requirements. FNS is charged with requiring updates to application information and with reviewing retail food store applications at least once every five years.

FNS seeks an update of the forms in order to include changes in the 2014 Farm Bill requiring SNAP-authorized food stores to have at least three varieties of items in each of four staple food categories. The 2014 Farm Bill also provided for an increase in the minimum number of categories in which perishable foods are required, from two to three. Per the USDA, the 2014 Farm Bill required new regulations ensuring that stores accepting SNAP offer a variety of healthy food choices.

Per the Federal Register, FNS wants to revise the information collection of paper and electronic SNAP application forms in order to clarify questions. New and additional questions would ask whether the store has a website, whether optical scanners are used at the store, the name and address of the financial institution where SNAP deposits will be made, and whether the store offers any incentives or discounts to SNAP recipients.

Comments on the proposed changes are due April 17 and may be submitted here.