USDA Prohibits Exclusive Discounts for SNAP Recipients: Grocery Stores Must Comply

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has sent out a directive to grocery stores, instructing them to refrain from providing discounts exclusively to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries during the ongoing government shutdown.

In an email shared by MSNBC’s Catherine Rampell on social media platform X, the USDA emphasized that stores must maintain uniform pricing and terms for all customers, including those using SNAP benefits.

David Cutler, Vice President of the National Grocers Association (NGA), confirmed to The Hill that this communication was indeed distributed to grocers nationwide. The NGA represents a network of over 21,000 independent grocery retailers across the United States.

As outlined in the Sunday notice, unless a store possesses a specific waiver that permits deviation from the program’s equal treatment rule, offering special discounts or services solely to SNAP users constitutes a violation of SNAP guidelines.

A representative from the NGA highlighted that independent grocers nationwide are dedicated to providing equitable service to all customers, even amid the challenges posed by the shutdown that commenced on October 1.

“Independent grocers understand the importance of SNAP in helping families access nutritious food and are following all federal guidance to ensure every customer is treated equally,” the spokesperson added. “Our members continue to uphold the highest standards of customer service while keeping their communities fed during this challenging time.”

The Hill has reached out to the USDA for further comment on the email.

On Monday, Trump administration officials told a federal judge in Rhode Island that it would provide partial SNAP benefits for November via a $4.65 billion contingency fund. Two federal judges had ordered the administration to do so on Friday.

November SNAP benefits for over 40 million recipients are estimated to cost over $9 billion. The judges said Friday that the USDA could tap into other sources to cover the remaining benefits, such as its Section 32 Child Nutrition fund.

However, the administration said Monday that doing so would be “an unacceptable risk.”

“Section 32 Child Nutrition Program funds are not a contingency fund for SNAP,” said Patrick Penn, who oversees the SNAP program, wrote in a sworn declaration.