USDA FNS: Updated Staple Food Stocking Standards for Retailers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (November 24, 2025)

For more than 50 years, FMI and our food retailer members – from national supermarket chains and regional grocers to independent operators – have partnered closely with USDA to ensure the successful administration of SNAP and other nutrition assistance programs. During this time, USDA and America’s food retailers have played complementary roles in delivering SNAP, pairing effective program administration with retailer-driven access to nutritious, affordable foods in every community. Our shared commitment to supporting Americans and increasing access to safe, healthy foods remains the cornerstone of that partnership.

FMI members are deeply invested in improving nutrition, health, and well-being. Food retailers today serve as full-service health and wellness destinations, providing registered dietitians in stores, personalized nutrition guidance, food-as-medicine programs, and an ever-expanding assortment of nutritious products. FMI members’ supermarkets are often the first – and sometimes the only – source of nutritious food in rural communities, urban

neighborhoods, and underserved areas where SNAP participation is highest. This role places retailers at the center of efforts to improve food access and support the health of individuals and families who rely on SNAP.

 

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