OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — There could be more changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new changes to requirements for retailers who accept SNAP benefits.
These changes would create stricter stocking rules for those retailers.
It’s all part of the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. The USDA is calling for there to be more healthy options for families that use SNAP.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary Brooke Rollins said, “Retailers participating in SNAP need to sell real food, plain and simple. Right now, the bar for stocking food as a SNAP retailer is far too low, allowing people to game the system and leaving vulnerable Americans without healthy food options.”
“We want them to have choices, right? But the more barriers you put in the way of using the benefit, the less the benefit can achieve its actual mission, which is to make sure folks have enough food to eat,” said Chris Bernard, Hunger Free Oklahoma.
Hunger advocates agree there needs to be more healthy options, but have concerns about the proposal.
Right now, SNAP retailers must carry at least three different varieties in each of the staple food categories: dairy, protein, grains, and fruits/vegetables.
This proposal would more than double that to seven per category.
“Which can be really challenging for small local businesses, rural businesses, and businesses that tend to be in low-income communities or places that are considered food deserts,” said Bernard.
Bernard says some stores may not have the space to store these extra items.
“If there were ways to strategize or provide grants, perhaps for small refrigeration, but the fact is, if you have to carry perishable items, those items just don’t sell in your store, you’re just throwing money away in order to take SNAP, and we don’t want to see that either,” said Bernard.
Bernard says the timing is also tough for Oklahomans because it follows the state’s recent move to ban SNAP purchases of items like soda and candy, which goes into effect January 1, 2026.
“We want to make sure local businesses are supported and have equal access to the market, and these rules combined can really make that very challenging,” said Bernard.
The proposed rule is open for public comment through November 24, 2025. You can submit that form here.
