NGA supports new USDA rule requiring SNAP retailers to carry more ‘real food’

Washington, D.C., May 7, 2026 — Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published the final rule regarding stocking standards for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, ensuring a broader variety of nutritious food is available to SNAP participants at authorized retailers across the country.

Retailers authorized to accept SNAP benefits must now carry seven varieties of items across four categories of staple foods: protein, grains, dairy, and fruits and vegetables.

This change more than doubles the requirement of available foods, emphasizes more whole foods, increases the perishable food requirements, and eliminates loopholes that for too long have allowed retailers to count certain snack foods toward their staple food requirements.

“To turn the tide on our nation’s health crisis, we need to ensure our nutrition assistance programs emphasize real food first, and that’s exactly what these updates to SNAP retailer requirements will do,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins.

These updates go into effect Fall 2026, and the Department plans to issue additional guidance to retailers in the coming weeks.

Read the entire USDA press release here.

The National Grocers Association BB #:163424 released the following statement on USDA’s final SNAP stocking standards:

May 7, 2026 Washington, D.C. – The National Grocers Association (NGA), the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, released the following statement from NGA Head of Government Affairs Stephanie Johnson about USDA’s final stocking standards:

“The National Grocers Association welcomes USDA’s final stocking standards, which reinforce the importance of access to a broad range of real foods. SNAP remains a highly effective public-private partnership, and these standards help ensure participants can obtain nutritious options in communities across the country.

Independent grocers play a critical role in delivering these foods, particularly in rural and high-cost areas where access might otherwise be limited. Rooted in the communities they serve, community grocers participating in SNAP prioritize choice, quality, and service, and are essential to maintaining a strong and accessible food supply chain.

As USDA moves forward with implementation, NGA encourages continued collaboration with retailers to ensure the standards are workable across all stores and regions. At the same time, Congress and USDA should build on this progress by expanding proven programs like Double Up Food Bucks and GusNIP, which further incentivize healthy eating and increase access to fresh, locally sourced foods.”