SNAP Funds: USDA Provides $ 5 Million to Increase EBT Online Food Licensing

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to increase the number of consumers who offer online shopping for the benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through a $ 5 million competitive grant seeking applications.

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The SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center grant, announced July 7, will provide funding to an organization that can provide online marketing technology and system support to customers, the USDA said in its website. The goal is to give SNAP customers a wide selection of customers who are selling to customers online.

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SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides food purchase assistance to low -income families. Those who receive it are paying with electronic credit cards.

SNAP online stores are available at major grocery stores such as Target and Walmart as well as local and regional retail chains such as Wegmans, Kroger, Publix, Food Lion, Safeway, Aldi and ShopRite. Some small retailers also offer SNAP online shopping.

But many retailers are facing technical challenges or unlimited resources to set up and upgrade their e-commerce systems so that they can offer online services that stand out. measuring SNAP requirements. The USDA’s new funding program, described here, will provide technical support to help these small independent stores provide online shopping for SNAP participants.

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“Online grocery shopping is a great resource that improves access and comfort for everyone, including low -income families,” said Stacy Dean, USDA’s deputy undersecretary for food. , food and consumer services. “We are excited that this offer will be able to provide new customers with the tools to purchase SNAP benefits in ways that improve customer service for SNAP customers, more. those who stand guard when going to a body shop. “

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About 3 million SNAP homes were sold online in May 2022 – a big jump from March 2020, when about 35,000 SNAP homes were sold online, according to the USDA. The significant increase is due to the USDA’s rapid expansion of the e-commerce pilot program in the early days of the COVID-19 epidemic.

“It is very important to sell SNAP online to the communities we serve because of the constant fear of storing COVID-19 in a grocery store, the problem of the Recognizing potential illnesses, potential problems with shopping and transportation, and past stressors. Family caregivers, “said Cyrus Huncharek, public policy analyst in the National Disability Rights Network.

This study was funded by the American Rescue Plan. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST, Sept. 6, 2022. The offer will be announced in the fall of 2022.

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For the author

Vance Cariaga is a writer, editor and columnist in London who holds staff positions at Investor’s Business Daily, The Charlotte Business Journal and The Charlotte Observer. His work has also appeared in Charlotte Magazine, Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal and Business North Carolina magazine. He received a BA in English from Appalachian State University and studied journalism at the University of South Carolina. Her show has received awards from the North Carolina Press Association, the Green Eyeshade Awards and AlterNet. In addition to newspaper, he worked in treasury, accounting and restaurant management. A native North Carolina novelist, Vance’s short story, “Saint Christopher,” placed second in the 2019 Writer’s Digest Short Story Competition. Two of his short stories are featured in With One Eye on the Cows, an anthology published by Ad Hoc Fiction in 2019. His first story, Voodoo Hideaway, was published in 2021 by Atmosphere Press.

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