FNS Documents & Resources

This memo clarifies the requirement regarding the separation of issuance functions and when state agencies may implement exceptions.

This memorandum clarifies policy related to "eligible foods," which are foods and other items that may be purchased with SNAP benefits. This memorandum does not address meals that may be purchased with SNAP benefits from firms authorized to serve such meals, although these meals are also eligible foods.

SNAP regulations provide that the FNS must determine if an applicant firm may be authorized to participate  under "Need for Access" if located in an area with significantly limited access to food and the applicant firm has failed to meet the staple food requirements for eligibility under Criterion A or Criterion B.

This memorandum clarifies policy related to implementation of the final rule, "Enhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program," which amended the definition of "staple food" in SNAP regulations. Specifically, this memorandum clarifies foods considered "accessory foods," which do not count as staple foods for purposes of determining the eligibility of any firm.

To be SNAP-authorized, a store generally must meet one of two eligibility standards: Criterion A (staple food stock) or Criterion B (staple food sales). Staple foods are the basic food items that make up a significant portion of an individual’s diet and are usually prepared at home and consumed as a major component of a meal.

This memorandum clarifies policy related to the implementation of the final rule, "Enhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)," which amended SNAP regulations related to firms that are ineligible to be SNAP authorized because they are restaurants.

The purpose of this policy memorandum is to provide guidance regarding the criteria for initiating government-wide debarment actions against retail firms that have been disqualified from SNAP.

This information collection is requesting a revision to the previously approved burden hours due to program adjustments that primarily reflect expected changes in the number of SFMNP state agencies, individual/households (program recipients), and the number of farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs, from year to year.

The Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services announce the second and subsequent meetings of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (the Committee). These meetings will be open to the public. The period for written public comments to the Committee, which opened on March 12, 2019, will remain open throughout the Committee's deliberations. The public is invited to provide oral comments at two of the Committee's meetings.

This notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection over a three year period.