Attitudes of SNAP‐approved store owners and managers regarding the proposed USDA rule to strengthen stocking standards: a qualitative study in San Francisco and Oakland, California
Authors: Leung Cindy W , Yen Irene H , Laraia Barbara A , Tester June M 
Published: November 2023

In February 2016, USDA proposed a rule to strengthen stocking standards for retailers under the national Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The proposed rule would require SNAP retailers to carry at least seven items in four staple food groups, perishable items in at least three staple food groups, and stock at least six items of each variety. The objective of this rule is to increase healthy food access for SNAP participants, particularly those who live in food deserts. However, small food stores (e.g. convenience stores and small grocery stores) who currently accept SNAP, may face unknown challenges to implementing this policy. This study aimed to assess the opinions of store owners and managers of SNAP‐approved small food stores about the proposed rule and specific challenges they may face upon implementation. Between May and September 2016, we conducted 34 semi‐structured interviews with store owners and managers of SNAP‐approved small food stores in low‐income neighborhoods in San Francisco and Oakland, California. Store owners and managers had to be English‐ or Spanish‐speaking and have worked at the store for at least one year. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed for thematic content. Half of study participants were not aware of the rule prior to the interview. However, after explanation, most study participants believed this rule was beneficial for their business, for their customers, and for the larger community. The majority believed they already met the stricter stocking standards, but also noted they would make any necessary changes if they were not already in compliance. Concerns that were raised include whether their customers would purchase the extra food, the limited space they had to store or display the additional items, and that perishable items spoil quickly. As for the role of small food stores in SNAP, many store owners and managers saw their role as minimizing benefit fraud and providing healthy food to SNAP participants. Some participants expressed a desire for more nutrition education to encourage their customers to purchase healthier foods. There was also a general belief that SNAP should facilitate the provision of healthy foods for its participants. Store owners and managers of SNAP‐approved small food stores are an underrepresented stakeholder group in the discussions to improve healthful food access and consumption among SNAP participants. Small food store owners and managers in the current study showed willingness to comply with the stricter proposed standards. The opinions of small food store owners should be considered in the larger discussion to improve SNAP nutrition policies and healthful food access for low‐income communities.

Support or Funding Information

This study was supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Disparities Working Group from the UCSF‐UC Berkeley Joint Program. Additional support was received from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (5K99HD84758, Dr. Leung; 5K23HD075852, Dr. Tester).