A new federal rule will require grocery and convenience stores that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to stock more food varieties — and a small grocery store in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood says the change will affect both its bottom line and its customers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration will require retailers that accept SNAP benefits to carry 7 varieties of items across 4 categories of staple foods: protein, grains, dairy, and fruits and vegetables. That is more than double the number of foods currently required in each category.
Maurice Wince, owner of Sherman Park Grocery Store, said more than a third of his customers rely on federal assistance. He said small businesses like his fill a critical need in the community…