81_FR_90916 81 FR 90675 - Enhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

81 FR 90675 - Enhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 241 (December 15, 2016)

Page Range90675-90699
FR Document2016-29837

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS or the Agency) is updating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or the Program) regulations pertaining to the eligibility criteria for retail food stores to participate in the Program by finalizing a proposed rule that was published on February 17, 2016. The Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill) amended the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the Act) to increase the requirement that certain SNAP authorized retail food stores have available on a continuous basis at least three varieties of items in each of four staple food categories, to a mandatory minimum of seven varieties. The 2014 Farm Bill also amended the Act to increase, for certain SNAP authorized retail food stores, the minimum number of staple food categories in which perishable foods are required from two to three. This final rule codifies these mandatory requirements. In addition, FNS is codifying several other discretionary changes to the existing eligibility criteria. The first is to address depth of stock by establishing a minimum of three stocking units per staple food variety. The rule also amends the definitions of ``staple food,'' ``retail food store,'' and ``ineligible firms'', and defines the term ``firm'' as discussed in the Supplementary Information. Finally, this rule allows FNS to consider the need for food access when making a SNAP authorization determination for applicant firms that fail to meet certain authorization requirements and reaffirms FNS's authority to disclose to the public certain information about retailers who have violated SNAP rules.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 241 (Thursday, December 15, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 241 (Thursday, December 15, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 90675-90699]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29837]



========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each 
week.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 90675]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service

7 CFR Parts 271 and 278

[FNS-2016-0018]
RIN 0584-AE27


Enhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program (SNAP)

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA or the Department).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS or the Agency) is updating 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or the Program) 
regulations pertaining to the eligibility criteria for retail food 
stores to participate in the Program by finalizing a proposed rule that 
was published on February 17, 2016. The Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 
2014 Farm Bill) amended the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the Act) to 
increase the requirement that certain SNAP authorized retail food 
stores have available on a continuous basis at least three varieties of 
items in each of four staple food categories, to a mandatory minimum of 
seven varieties. The 2014 Farm Bill also amended the Act to increase, 
for certain SNAP authorized retail food stores, the minimum number of 
staple food categories in which perishable foods are required from two 
to three. This final rule codifies these mandatory requirements.
    In addition, FNS is codifying several other discretionary changes 
to the existing eligibility criteria. The first is to address depth of 
stock by establishing a minimum of three stocking units per staple food 
variety. The rule also amends the definitions of ``staple food,'' 
``retail food store,'' and ``ineligible firms'', and defines the term 
``firm'' as discussed in the Supplementary Information. Finally, this 
rule allows FNS to consider the need for food access when making a SNAP 
authorization determination for applicant firms that fail to meet 
certain authorization requirements and reaffirms FNS's authority to 
disclose to the public certain information about retailers who have 
violated SNAP rules.

DATES: Effective date: This rule is effective on January 17, 2017.
    Implementation dates: See the Supplementary Information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vicky Robinson, Chief, Retailer 
Management and Issuance Branch (RMIB), Retailer Policy and Management 
Division (RPMD), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302. 
Ms. Robinson can also be reached by telephone at (703) 305-2476 or by 
email at [email protected] during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Executive Summary

Purpose of the Regulatory Action

    In this final rule, FNS is amending SNAP regulations at 7 CFR parts 
271 and 278 to clarify and enhance current regulations governing the 
eligibility of firms to participate in SNAP. This rulemaking also 
codifies mandatory provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill, as well as other 
provisions to strengthen current regulations and conform to statutory 
intent. These changes will improve SNAP households' access to a variety 
of healthy food options and they reflect the Agency's ongoing 
commitments to provide vital nutrition assistance to the most 
vulnerable Americans, protect taxpayer dollars, and build on aggressive 
efforts to ensure Program integrity. The final rule allows FNS to 
ensure that firms authorized to participate in SNAP as retail food 
stores are consistent with and further the purposes of the Program. 
This final rule reinforces the statutory intent of SNAP--that 
participants are able to use their benefits to purchase nutritious 
foods intended for home preparation and consumption. In the interests 
of preserving SNAP households' food access, minimizing the burden on 
participating retail food stores and reflective of the many comments 
received in response to the proposed rule, this final rule has been 
substantially modified from its proposed form, including to reduce 
burden on retailers participating in the program and to help retain 
their participation in the program.

Summary of the Main Provisions & Changes From the Proposed Rule

    The proposed rule generated a great deal of interest and concern 
among a diverse array of Program stakeholders. In consideration of 
these comments FNS has clarified, modified, or excised several 
provisions contained in the proposed rule. In summary:
 Definition of ``Staple Food''--Multiple Ingredient Food Items
    The proposed language excluding multiple ingredient food items from 
being counted towards any staple food category has been removed from 
the final rule.
 Definition of ``Staple Food''--Accessory Food Items
    The proposed language has been clarified to specify that 
``accessory food items'' are not defined by consumption between meals 
or package size and that foods with an accessory food main ingredient 
(e.g., sugar) are considered accessory foods. Specific examples have 
been added to the amendatory language at 7 CFR 271.2 and a longer list 
of examples is included in the preamble of the final rule.
 Definition of ``Retail Food Store''--85-15% Prepared Foods 
Threshold
    The proposed language defining ``retail food store'' as a firm with 
at least 85 percent of its total food sales in items not cooked or 
heated on-site before or after purchase has been removed from the final 
rule. However, related to this proposed provision, language was added 
to existing regulations on ``ineligible firms'' to specify that a firm 
is ineligible for SNAP authorization if at least 50 percent of its 
total gross sales come from the sale of hot and/or cold prepared foods, 
including foods cooked or heated on-site, before or after purchase.

[[Page 90676]]

 Definition of ``Retail Food Store''--Co-located Firms
    The proposed language regarding co-located businesses was clarified 
and narrowed to specify that multiple businesses that operate under one 
roof will only be considered a single firm for purposes of determining 
SNAP retailer eligibility if the businesses have common ownership, sale 
of similar food, and shared inventory.
 Definition of ``Retail Food Store''--Depth of Stock
    The proposed depth of stock requirement was halved, from six to 
three stocking units per staple food variety. Additionally, language 
was added to specify that a firm may not be denied or withdrawn based 
on certain stocking shortfalls at the time of the Agency inspection if 
that firm can produce documentation proving that, no more than 21 days 
prior to the Agency inspection, the firm had ordered and/or received 
the required stock.
 Definition of ``Retail Food Store''--Breadth of Stock
    Per statute, no changes were made to this provision, which 
increased the number of varieties required per staple food category 
from three to seven and increased the number of staple food categories 
required to contain at least one perishable variety from two to three.
 Definition of ``Firm''
    No changes were made to this provision which defines the term 
``firm''.
 Need for Access
    Language was added to this provision to specify that ``need for 
access'' factors would not be limited to those enumerated in the 
regulatory language, that ``need for access'' would only be considered 
for applicant firms that fail to meet certain authorization 
requirements, and that the consideration of ``need for access'' would 
be part of the existing SNAP authorization process under 7 CFR 
278.1(a).
 Definition of ``Staple Food''--Acceptable Varieties in the 
Four Staple Food Categories
    Language was added to the definition of ``staple food'' to include 
in the meat, poultry, or fish staple food category three types of 
plant-based protein sources (beans, peas, and nuts/seeds) as well as 
plant-based meat analogues (e.g., tofu and seitan) and traditional 
animal-based protein sources (e.g., chicken and beef). Language was 
also added to the definition of ``staple food'' to include in the dairy 
products staple food category plant-based dairy alternatives (e.g., 
rice milk and soy yogurt). Finally, language was added to the 
definition of ``staple food'' to specify what constitutes a variety in 
all four staple food categories. These changes are in keeping with 
USDA's MyPlate nutrition guidelines, allow retailers more flexibility 
in stocking sufficient variety in this staple food category and help to 
ensure that SNAP households will have access to an array of healthy 
food options that meet diverse dietary needs and preferences.
 Public Disclosure of Firms Sanctioned for SNAP Violations
    Language was added to this provision to specify that the public 
disclosure of firms subject to term sanctions would last for the term 
of the sanction.

Implementation Dates

    The following provisions of this final rule will be implemented on 
the effective date of this final rule: The definition of ``firm'' 
provision (i.e., define ``firm'' at 7 CFR 271.2 so as to clarify that 
it also includes retailers, entities, and stores) and the public 
disclosure of sanctioned firms provision (i.e., reaffirm at 7 CFR 
278.1(q)(5) the Agency's authority and intent to publicly disclose the 
store and owner name for firms sanctioned for SNAP violations).
    The following provisions of this final rule will be implemented for 
all retailers 120 days after the effective date of this final rule: The 
co-located firms provision (i.e., establish at 7 CFR 271.2 that 
establishments that include separate businesses that operate under one 
roof and share the following commonalities: Ownership, sale of similar 
foods, and shared inventory are considered to be a single firm) and the 
prepared foods threshold provision (i.e., establish at 7 CFR 271.2 and 
7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(iv) that firms that have more than 50 percent of 
their total gross sales in hot and/or cold prepared foods, including 
foods cooked or heated on-site before or after purchase, shall not 
qualify).
    The stocking provisions of this final rule will be implemented for 
all new applicant firms and all firms eligible for reinstatement 120 
days after the effective date of this final rule and 365 days after the 
effective date of this final rule for all currently authorized firms. 
The stocking provisions of this final rule include: The accessory food 
items provision (i.e., amend at 7 CFR 271.2 and 7 CFR 
278.1(b)(1)(ii)(C) the definition of ``staple food'' so as to modify 
the regulatory definition of ``accessory food items'', to exclude 
certain items from being counted in any staple food category), the 
depth of stock provision (i.e., establish at 7 CFR 271.2 and 7 CFR 
278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A) the requirement that certain firms must stock at 
least three stocking units of each staple food variety), the breadth of 
stock provision (i.e., codify at 7 CFR 271.2 and 7 CFR 
278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A) statutory requirements to increase the number of 
varieties required of certain firms in each of the four staple food 
category from three to seven and increase the number of staple food 
categories that must contain at least one perishable staple food 
variety from two to three), the acceptable varieties provision (i.e., 
clarify and amend at 7 CFR 271.2 and 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(C) the 
definition of ``variety'' as it pertains to staple food varieties in 
the four staple food categories), and the need for access provision 
(i.e., allow at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(6) the Agency to consider ``need for 
access'' when a retailer does not meet all of the requirements for SNAP 
authorization).
    As it is used in this document the phrase ``existing policy'' 
refers to Agency policy in place as of December 15, 2016. Changes to 
existing policy included in the final rule will be implemented on or 
after the effective date of the final rule, January 17, 2017, as 
described above in this section.

Retailer Guidance for Implementation of Final Rule

    Many Program stakeholders specifically requested that FNS provide 
retailers with detailed guidance and training materials on the rule to 
ensure that all retailers fully understand all of the provisions of the 
final rule. In addition to the clarifications and lists of examples 
provided in the preamble of the final rule, FNS will answer retailer 
inquiries and provide retailers with additional notice, guidance, and 
training materials during the aforementioned implementation period per 
7 CFR 278.1(t). This will include extensive outreach to ensure that the 
retailer community is provided with sufficient technical assistance to 
ensure that all firms are adequately informed regarding these changes 
to SNAP rules.

II. Background

    On August 20, 2013, FNS published a notice entitled, ``Request for 
Information: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Enhancing 
Retail Food Store Eligibility'' in the Federal Register (78 FR 51136). 
This Request for Information (RFI), which included 14 specific 
questions, focused on ways to enhance the definitions of ``retail food 
store'' and ``staple foods'', and overall eligibility requirements to

[[Page 90677]]

participate in SNAP, in order to improve access to healthy foods and 
ensure that only firms that effectuate the purposes of SNAP are 
authorized to accept SNAP benefits. FNS received a total of 211 
comments from a diverse group of commenters, including retailers, 
academics, trade associations, policy advocates, professional 
associations, government entities, and the general public. These RFI 
comments were considered in drafting the proposed rule. A copy of the 
RFI comment summary can be viewed at http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/rfi-retailer-enhancement.
    On February 17, 2016, the Agency published a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM) rule in the Federal Register (81 FR 8015), in which 
FNS proposed to amend SNAP regulations at 7 CFR parts 271 and 278 in 
order to strengthen the criteria for the eligibility of certain SNAP 
retail food stores utilizing existing authority in the Act and to 
codify statutory provisions in the 2014 Farm Bill. On April 5, 2016, 
FNS published a document in the Federal Register (81 FR 19500) 
clarifying certain provisions of the proposed rule and extending the 
proposed rule's comment period.
    The proposed rule included statutory changes to the breadth of 
stock (seven varieties in each of the four staple food categories and 
at least one variety of perishable foods in at least three staple food 
categories) required of certain SNAP retailers which were mandated by 
the 2014 Farm Bill. Additionally, the rule proposed discretionary 
changes such as provisions to address depth of stock, amend the 
definition of ``staple food'', amend the definition of ``retail food 
store'', and reaffirm the Agency's authority to disclose to the public 
certain information about retailers who have violated SNAP rules.
    The 91-day public comment period ended on May 18, 2016. FNS 
received 1,284 public comments, including one comment not considered as 
it was submitted untimely, and reviewed all 1,283 timely public 
comments when drafting this final rule. Of these 1,283 comments, 23 
were considered duplicative or non-germane, 738 or about 58% of all 
comments were template or form letters, and 522 or about 41% of all 
comments were unique submissions. Comments were considered duplicative 
only if the actual submission and submitter were identical to those of 
a previously received comment (e.g., a comment that was both submitted 
to the Agency electronically and by mail) and comments were considered 
non-germane only if the contents of the submission had no relation to 
the general subject or specific provisions of the proposed rule (e.g., 
comments referencing other disparate rulemaking actions).

III. Summary of Comments and Explanation of Revisions

Summary of Comments

    Of the 1,260 germane and non-duplicative comments considered by 
FNS, most of the comments received came from retail food store 
representatives, owners, managers, or employees (901 or about 72% of 
total public comments). This total was largely comprised of retailer 
template comments which either repeated boilerplate language verbatim 
or with minor modifications and/or personalizations. The retailer 
template comments (henceforth Template A) submitted by the employees 
and owners of one chain of firms (a national take-and-bake pizzeria 
chain which claims over 1,300 locations nationally, about 800 of which 
are currently authorized to participate in SNAP) accounted for more 
than one quarter of all public comments received and more than one 
third of all retailer comments received (333 Template A comments, about 
26% of total public comments, or about 37% of all retailer comments). 
The retailer template comments (henceforth Template B) submitted by the 
employees and owners of another chain of firms (a regional chain of 
convenience stores which claims over 600 locations, about 550 of which 
are SNAP authorized firms) accounted for about a seventh of all public 
comments received and about a fifth of all retailer comments received 
(183 Template B comments, about 15% of total public comments, or about 
20% of all retailer comments). The comments submitted by the owners, 
operators, or representatives of convenience stores using the template 
(henceforth Template C) provided by an international convenience store 
trade association, which professes to represent more than 1,500 
supplier company members and 2,100 retailer company members with over 
50,000 convenience store locations nationally, accounted for about a 
ninth of all comments received and about a sixth of all retailer 
comments received (143 Template C comments, about 11% of total public 
comments, or about 16% of all retailer comments). Other retailer 
comment templates accounted for about 3% of total public comments 
received and about 5% of all retailer comments received (42 other 
retailer template comments). In total, retailer template comments (701 
total retailer template comments) constitute about 78% of all retailer 
comments (901 total retailer comments) and about 56% of all total 
comments (1,260 total germane and non-duplicative public comments). The 
remaining 200 retailer comments were unique submissions (about 16% of 
total public comments, or about 22% of all retailer comments).
    The remaining approximately 28% of comments received included 
feedback from the following entities: 259 private citizens, 29 industry 
trade associations, 28 medical practitioners/organizations, 21 advocacy 
or food access organizations, and 22 governmental entities.
    Of the 1,260 germane and non-duplicative public comments received, 
overall opinions on the rule were mixed. A majority of public comments 
(about 54% of all germane and non-duplicative public comments) neither 
wholly opposed, nor wholly supported the rule as proposed. This number 
includes comments that suggested improvements or modifications to the 
proposed provisions. About 40% of public comments specifically opposed 
at least one provision of the proposed rule while not voicing support 
for any specific provision of the proposed rule or offering any 
improvements or modifications to the proposed provisions. About 5% of 
public comments specifically supported at least one provision of the 
proposed rule while not opposing any specific provision of the proposed 
rule or offering any improvements or modifications to the proposed 
provisions. Finally, less than 1% of public comments were considered 
out of scope (e.g., general comments supporting or opposing the 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Comments from medical 
practitioners/organizations tended to generally support the proposed 
rule, while comments from private citizens, advocacy organizations, and 
governmental entities were generally divided between those in favor and 
opposed to various provisions of the proposed rule. Industry trade 
associations, largely representing food retailers, manufacturers, and 
distributors, generally opposed some provisions of the proposed rule. 
Analysis of the comments which addressed each of the ten provisions in 
the proposed rule follows.

Definition of ``Staple Food''--Multiple Ingredient Food Items

    This discretionary provision proposed to amend language, at 7 CFR 
271.2 and 7 CFR 278.1(b), to exclude multiple ingredient food items 
from being

[[Page 90678]]

counted towards any staple food category. This provision was 
specifically opposed by more public comments than any other provision 
in the proposed rule. Based on the strength of the arguments of these 
comments, FNS has stricken this provision from the final rule. Of the 
total 1,260 germane and non-duplicative public comments received, 867 
comments addressed this provision and 685 comments, or about 54% of all 
public comments, specifically opposed this provision. About 69% of 
total retailer commenters and a majority of total industry trade group 
commenters specifically opposed this provision. Private citizens, 
medical groups, advocacy organizations, and governmental entities that 
commented on this provision were generally divided and/or expressed 
mixed opinions.
    About one quarter of the total 1,260 germane and non-duplicative 
public comments were Template A comments submitted by the owners and 
employees of a take-and-bake pizzeria chain. This chain relies 
exclusively on cold pizza, a multiple ingredient food item, for their 
SNAP eligibility under Criterion B (this criterion requires firms to 
have 50 percent of total gross retail sales in staple food sales). 
Template A comments expressed opposition to this provision on the 
grounds that it would categorically eliminate them from the Program and 
that multiple ingredient foods such as pizza may be healthy and 
affordable options for low income Americans. Other retailer template 
comments, such as Templates B and C from convenience store owners and 
employees, also opposed this provision on similar grounds.
    Many of the retailers opposing the multiple ingredient food items 
provision were from the convenience store industry. Such commenters 
pointed out that the exclusion of these products from eligibility 
towards SNAP Criterion A (under this final rule, Criterion A would 
require firms to stock on a continuous basis seven varieties in each of 
the four staple food categories and at least one variety of perishable 
foods in at least three staple food categories) would substantially 
increase the difficulty of retailer compliance with concurrent proposed 
enhancements in the required depth and breadth of stock, given the 
limited space in convenience stores. For example, one comment, jointly 
submitted by the international convenience store trade association 
noted above and a petroleum marketers trade association which professes 
to represent about half of the chain petroleum retailers nationally, 
stated that, ``Today, in over 99,000 convenience stores, 75 percent of 
the items in stock are multiple ingredient items, including mixed fruit 
cups, frozen vegetable meat medley dinners, or canned soups. To comply 
with the proposal, these small format retailers would have to 
completely overhaul their food offerings--and remove items they now 
sell--to remain eligible to participate in SNAP. This will be quite 
costly and, for many, will make it too costly to continue participating 
in SNAP.''
    Several retailer commenters also pointed out that, although this 
change was intended to clear up confusion, it would create more 
confusion among retailers than under current regulations. As noted by 
one commenter, an international chain of convenience stores which 
claims over 50,000 convenience store members in 17 countries including 
over 7,000 SNAP authorized firms, ``The `main ingredient' for most 
items is easily determined from the principal display panel and/or the 
FDA-mandated ingredients list.''
    Currently, per 7 CFR 271.2 and 7 CFR 278.1(b)(ii)(C), multiple 
ingredient food items are assigned to the staple food category of their 
main ingredient as determined by FNS. The final rule titled ``Food 
Stamp Program: Revisions to the Retail Food Store Definition and 
Program Authorization Guidance'', published in the Federal Register on 
January 12, 2001 (66 FR 2795) was further clarified by Benefits 
Redemption Division Policy Memorandum 01-04, titled, ``Implementation 
of Final Retail Store Eligibility Rule'' which was issued on August 14, 
2001. In this Agency policy memorandum it is stated that the label may 
be read to determine the main ingredient in a multiple ingredient food 
item. The label referenced herein is the ingredients list included at 
the bottom of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated ``Nutrition Facts'' label. 
On this label, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight 
(i.e., from most to least). The first listed ingredient, therefore, 
makes up the largest share of the product's composition.
    Long-standing FNS policy, therefore, holds that a multiple 
ingredient food will be assigned to the staple food category of its 
first listed ingredient on this label. Under this existing policy, for 
example, a product such as canned ravioli, with tomato puree as its 
listed main ingredient, is considered a variety (i.e., tomato) in the 
vegetables or fruits staple food category. If the main ingredient of a 
multiple ingredient food item is an accessory food item (e.g., salt), 
then that multiple ingredient food item is considered an accessory food 
item. Per Benefits Redemption Division Policy Memorandum 01-04, one 
exception to this is the accessory food item water. If the main 
ingredient of a multiple ingredient food item is listed as water, then 
that item is assigned to the staple food category of its second listed 
ingredient. Under this existing policy, for example, a product such as 
canned tomato soup, with water and tomato paste as its first and second 
listed ingredients respectively, is considered a variety in the 
vegetables or fruits staple food category (i.e., tomato). If that 
second ingredient is also an accessory food item (e.g., sugar) then 
that item is considered an accessory food item.
    In general, a majority of industry groups opposed the proposed 
multiple ingredient provision. In addition to the concerns about higher 
costs for certain types of retailers and greater retailer confusion, 
industry groups opposed to this provision were also concerned about the 
effect of the provision on SNAP households, which industry groups claim 
rely heavily on multiple ingredient food items as part of their 
nutritional intake. For example, the international convenience store 
trade association and the petroleum marketers' trade association 
jointly stated that, ``multiple ingredient items are often the main 
sources of nutrition intake for families in the United States''. 
Likewise, other industry groups, such as those representing the 
manufacturers and distributors of canned and frozen food products, 
pointed out that multiple ingredient food items, such as ``frozen pizza 
rolls'' or ``canned soup'', can be major sources of important 
nutritional intake for SNAP households and all Americans.
    In addition, about two thirds of advocacy groups opposed this 
provision. Opposed advocacy group commenters were primarily concerned 
about the importance of multiple ingredient food items in lower-income 
Americans' diets, especially for those unable to prepare meals at home 
due to barriers such as time constraints and/or a lack of adequate 
kitchen facilities. Additionally, some advocacy groups pointed out that 
some multiple ingredient food items may have high nutritional value. 
One national, anti-poverty organization stated that:

    USDA has recognized before how essential convenient, multiple 
ingredient foods are to food purchasing and preparation among SNAP 
participants. The Thrifty Food Plan is the government market basket 
upon which SNAP benefit amounts are based. In an effort to be more 
realistic about the time available for food preparation in the home, 
USDA incorporated more convenience foods in the

[[Page 90679]]

2006 revision of the Thrifty Food Plan . . . Therefore, it is 
especially odd that many of the foods specifically added to Thrifty 
Food Plan market baskets in 2006 would be excluded as staple foods 
under the proposed rule. So long as retail food stores are meeting 
the increased amounts, variety of staple items and perishable items 
called by the statute, there is no compelling purpose to exclude 
multiple ingredient items from counting (as they do under current 
regulations) under one of the SNAP staple food categories.

However, some advocacy groups, particularly those that are nutrition-
focused, supported this provision. A national non-profit consumer 
advocacy group focused on nutrition and food safety which claims over 
750,000 members stated that, ``Disallowing multiple ingredient products 
to count as a staple food (e.g., pizza because the first ingredient is 
bread) ensures that the minimum stocking requirements for SNAP 
authorized retailers are for healthier foods''.
    Governmental entities were divided on this provision while medical 
entities largely supported it. Overall, medical organizations supported 
this provision on the grounds that it would compel retailers to stock 
healthier food options and help steer SNAP households away from 
calorie-dense and nutrient-poor multiple ingredient food items, while 
also stressing the need for Agency clarification and guidance of this 
proposed provision prior to implementation. A representative of one 
such organization, a national, non-profit, medical association which 
claims 64,000 pediatrician, pediatric medical subspecialist, and 
pediatric surgical specialist members, noted that ``multiple ingredient 
foods available in small retail outlets, like pizza and other mixed 
dish frozen and boxed entrees like casseroles and macaroni and cheese, 
tend to be higher in sodium, saturated fats, and sugar'' and, as a 
result, supported this provision adding that ``nutritional profile 
should be considered in determining how to define a staple food'' and 
that ``FNS [should] provide clear and comprehensive guidance, at the 
time the rule is finalized, that includes a list of specific foods that 
would qualify as staple foods''.
    State and local governmental commenters were divided on this 
provision. One mayor of a city of 600,000 containing over 1,000 SNAP 
authorized firms supported the provision, stating, ``Currently, the 
staple food category determination for foods with multiple ingredients 
is very subjective. We support the proposed changes to the definition 
of `staple food' in order to bring clarity to a very complex regulatory 
process. This is [a] strong policy that will increase the availability 
of staple foods in all [of the city's] neighborhoods''. Other 
governmental commenters such as the deputy mayor from another city with 
a population over 600,000 that contains nearly 500 SNAP authorized 
firms opposed this provision, stating, ``Disqualifying all prepared 
foods for SNAP eligibility is risky as these are shelf-stable staples 
in small stores and can serve as primary foodstuffs for SNAP 
families.''
    While FNS does agree with the commenters that argued that this 
provision would likely increase healthy options for SNAP participants, 
the Agency believes that other provisions in this final rule also help 
increase healthy options for SNAP participants. The proposed rule would 
have increased the required depth and breadth of staple food stock 
while simultaneously expanding the list of accessory foods excluded 
from the definition of ``staple foods'' and excluding multiple 
ingredient food items from the definition of ``staple foods''. 
According to some comments received, taken together, these four 
provisions would constitute an unreasonably burdensome stocking 
requirement for small format retailers. The Agency shares these 
concerns and, for these reasons, the proposed multiple ingredient food 
items provision has been stricken from this final rule. Multiple 
ingredient food items will, therefore, continue to be assigned to the 
staple food category of their main listed ingredient per current 
regulations at 7 CFR 271.2.

Definition of ``Staple Food''--Accessory Food Items

    This discretionary provision proposed to amend the definition of 
``staple food'' so as to modify the regulatory definition of 
``accessory food items'', to exclude certain items from being counted 
in any staple food category, in keeping with statutory intent. The 
proposed provision would have expanded the list of accessory foods to 
include: ``Foods that are generally consumed between meals and/or are 
generally considered snacks or desserts such as, but not limited to, 
chips, dips, crackers, cupcakes, cookies, popcorn, pastries, and candy, 
or food items that complement or supplement meals, such as, but not 
limited, to coffee, tea, cocoa, carbonated and uncarbonated drinks, 
condiments, spices, salt and sugar''.
    This proposed provision was specifically addressed by a low number 
of public commenters. Of the total 1,260 germane and non-duplicative 
public comments received, 65 comments, or approximately 5% of all 
public comments, specifically addressed this provision. Of the 65 
comments that specifically addressed this provision, about half 
supported it, about a quarter opposed it, and about a quarter were 
mixed. Less than 1% of total retailer commenters specifically opposed 
this provision. Industry trade groups and governmental entities that 
commented on this provision were generally divided and/or expressed 
mixed opinions. Medical groups, private citizens, and advocacy 
organizations that commented on this provision were generally 
supportive. FNS has retained this provision in the final rule with some 
modifications and clarifications.
    Trade group comments, such as a comment jointly submitted by the 
international convenience store trade association and the trade 
petroleum marketers' trade association, contended that this provision 
would incur costs not captured in the Agency's proposed Regulatory 
Impact Analysis (RIA) and Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (RFA), as 
accessory food items with higher profit margins, such as potato chips, 
would need to be replaced with staple food items with lower profit 
margins, such as fruits and vegetables. This ``opportunity cost'' is a 
significant contributing factor toward compliance cost estimates, such 
as the estimate submitted by these trade groups in their joint comment, 
which exceed the Agency's estimates in the proposed RIA and RFA. The 
Agency appreciates these comments and has incorporated ``opportunity 
costs'' into the cost estimates which appear in the final RIA and RFA. 
This subject is examined in further detail the final rule's RIA and 
RFA.
    This provision was largely supported by advocacy, medical, and 
local governmental commenters. One State university's nutrition 
research institute commented that it ``. . . strongly supports . . . 
[the expansion] of the definition of accessory foods to include chips, 
desserts, and other snack foods, such that these items are not counted 
as staple foods.'' Another international, nutrition-focused, non-profit 
organization professing to represent over 1,000 nutrition professionals 
stated that, ``We support the proposed changes to the definition of 
`accessory foods' that would not qualify as staple foods to include 
snack foods and dessert items such as chips, dips, cookies, cakes and 
pastries that are typically consumed between meals.'' A city health 
department commissioner, representing a city with a population of about 
400,000 containing about 450 SNAP authorized firms noted that, ``We

[[Page 90680]]

support the proposed changes to the definition of `accessory foods' 
that would not qualify as staple foods to include snack foods and 
dessert items such as chips, dips, cookies, cakes and pastries that are 
typically consumed between meals. Many of these items have limited 
nutritional value, and no longer defining them as staple foods will 
support the intent of this rule to encourage SNAP retailers to stock 
healthier items.''
    The large, international chain of convenience stores stated that it 
``. . . does not object to the exclusion of accessory food items from 
the definition of `Staple Food' '' and another national food retailer 
trade association which professes to represent nearly 40,000 retail 
food stores and 25,000 pharmacies stated it, ``. . . supports this 
change conceptually, but notes that retailers will need flexibility and 
considerable guidance from the agency on the revised definition''. 
Finally, a national trade association for the travel plaza and truck 
stop industry which professes to represent about 200 corporate members 
and over 1,200 locations, acknowledges the validity of this provision, 
but like those that had opposed the provision, cautioned that this 
could inadvertently eliminate stores ``that market healthy snack food 
items such as fruit cups, vegetable-and-dip to go packs, and the like'' 
and argued that this provision should be ``well tailored [to] prevent 
retailers that sell predominantly accessory foods from qualifying to 
redeem SNAP benefits''.
    Some commenters, however, do not believe that this proposed 
provision went far enough in excluding unhealthy foods from being 
counted as staple food items for the purposes of SNAP authorization. 
One health commissioner from a city of over 8.5 million containing over 
10,000 SNAP authorized firms stated that, ``We recommend the USDA avoid 
defining accessory food items and concentrate efforts in establishing a 
comprehensive list of staple food items that may be used to determine 
eligibility to participate in SNAP.''
    In their opposition to this provision the comment jointly submitted 
by the international convenience store trade association and the 
petroleum marketers' trade association noted that ``[this] provision 
will drastically limit the number of items that can be counted towards 
stocking requirements, effectively knocking out nutrient-dense products 
including healthy `to go' packs such as apple slices and cheese . . 
.''. Other trade group commenters also pointed out that this provision 
should be considered carefully to avoid eliminating from consideration 
healthy snacks like dried fruit and yogurt cups, stating that such 
healthy snack foods are integral to the diet of the increasing number 
of Americans who eat on the go.
    As explained in the preamble to the proposed rule, the statutory 
language defining ``accessory food items'' was explicitly not intended 
to limit this class of food items to the eight items specifically 
enumerated in the Section 3(q)(2) of the Act which reads, `` `Staple 
foods' do not include accessory food items, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, 
carbonated and uncarbonated drinks, candy, condiments, and spices 
[emphasis added].'' This language, which creates an illustrative and 
not exhaustive list, reflects the original statutory intent in defining 
``accessory food items'' as demonstrated in the legislative history of 
the Food Stamp Act of 1977. The language in the House Report to the 
Food Stamp Act of 1977 indicated that Congress had intended its list of 
accessory food items to be an illustrative, but not exhaustive, list. 
For example, the House Report stated that ``donut, bakery, and pastry 
shops which specialize in donuts and sweet baked goods . . . [that] do 
not do a substantial business in the sale of staple foods, such as 
bread'' are not authorized to accept and redeem benefits. This language 
also indicates that Congress did not consider ``donuts, pastries, and 
other sweet baked goods'' to be staple food items. See H. Rep. No. 95-
464 at 328 (June 24, 1977). Similarly, even though snacks and ice cream 
were not specifically listed as accessory food items, the House Report 
indicated that Congress did not intend for snack-type foods and ice 
cream to be considered staple foods. See H. Rep. No. 95-464 at 328 
(June 24, 1977) (``Stores whose primary business is the sale of snack-
type foods . . . are not authorized to accept food coupons because they 
do not enable recipients to obtain a low-cost nutritious diet and, 
therefore, do not effectuate the purpose of the food stamp program.'' 
and ``Candy stores and ice cream stores and vendors are not authorized 
to redeem food stamp coupons because they do not provide recipients 
with an opportunity to obtain any basic staples.'').
    In response to commenters who expressed concern about needing 
flexibility and additional guidance on this provision, FNS has made 
some clarification changes to the final rule, has provided a longer 
list of examples below in Section IV, and will issue additional Agency 
guidance on this subject following promulgation of this final rule 
including training materials intended for retail food store owners as 
needed per 7 CFR 278.1(t). FNS has removed the language ``generally 
consumed between meals'' in order to address concerns that this 
language is vague or overly broad. Likewise, the listed example of 
``dips'' has been removed as such terminology could be construed to 
include potential staple foods such as guacamole, hummus, and salsa as 
noted earlier by commenters. Primarily this provision will expand the 
definition of ``accessory food items'' to include snack and dessert 
foods, as well as specified food items that complement or supplement 
meals. These foods are typically deficient in important nutrients and 
are high in sodium, saturated fats, and/or sugar. FNS believes that 
this approach to excluding typically salty and sugary snack and dessert 
foods from counting towards retailer eligibility is a logical extension 
of the statute and is consistent with the USDA 2015-2020 Dietary 
Guidelines for Americans, which recommend limiting calories from added 
sugars and saturated fats and to reduce sodium. For administrative 
purposes FNS cannot consider the nutritional contents of individual 
products, such as different brands of potato chips, on a case by case 
basis. FNS, therefore, must generalize to a certain extent. As a result 
FNS has identified a list of accessory foods that generally meet the 
criteria above. It will help to ensure that SNAP clients will have 
access to a range of healthy food products intended for home 
preparation and consumption when they shop with their benefits. This 
final rule, however, will not change which products are eligible for 
purchase with SNAP benefits.
    The list of accessory foods in the final rule now reads: 
``Accessory food items include foods that are generally considered 
snacks or desserts such as, but not limited to, chips, ice cream, 
crackers, cupcakes, cookies, popcorn, pastries, and candy, and food 
items that complement or supplement meals such as, but not limited to, 
coffee, tea, cocoa, carbonated and uncarbonated drinks, condiments, 
spices, salt, and sugar.''
    In response to commenters' concerns regarding the effect of this 
proposed provision on small portion size products, FNS notes that 
existing regulations at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(C) specifically state 
that the ``package size'' of a product shall not be a determinant of 
variety. Both an apple and a single-serving package of apple slices 
would count as the same variety of a staple food item (i.e., apple) in 
the vegetables or fruits staple food category. Similarly, under 
existing regulations, both a tub of yogurt and a single-serving yogurt 
cup are counted as the same variety of staple food item (i.e., yogurt) 
in the dairy

[[Page 90681]]

products staple food category. Therefore, under existing regulations, 
neither a single-serving package of apple slices nor a single-serving 
cup of cow milk-based yogurt would be categorized as an accessory food 
due to its package size. This sentence in 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(C) 
remained substantively the same in the proposed rule, and nothing in 
the proposed rule would have classified staple food items sold in 
``single-serving'', ``snack-sized'' or ``to-go'' packs as accessory 
food items simply on the basis of their packaging size.
    However, in response to the confusion expressed by many commenters 
regarding packaging size, clarifying language explicitly stating that 
items shall not be classified as accessory food items exclusively based 
on packaging size has been added in 7 CFR 271.2: ``Items shall not be 
classified as accessory food exclusively based on packaging size . . 
.'' Small-portion packages of staple food items such as apple slices, 
grapefruit cups, carrot sticks, cheese slices, celery sticks, yogurt 
cups, bags of nuts, and hummus will continue to be counted as staple 
food items in their respective staple food categories.
    As described above, some commenters recommended that FNS avoid 
defining accessory food items and establish a comprehensive list of 
staple food items and that the Agency further exclude unhealthy food 
items from being classified as staple foods items. While FNS 
appreciates the goals of such suggestions, creating a comprehensive 
list of all staple food items is outside of the intended scope of the 
Agency's rulemaking action. Per research conducted by the USDA's 
Economic Research Service (ERS), about 20,000 new food products are 
introduced into the retail marketplace annually. Therefore, the Agency 
does not believe it is practical to make an exhaustive list of 
acceptable staple varieties. However, to address concerns about 
excluding unhealthy foods items from being classified as staple food 
items, FNS will be amending the final rule to change existing policy, 
which has limited ``accessory food items'' to include only the eight 
products explicitly enumerated in regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. Under 
existing policy a chocolate hazelnut spread (with the first three 
listed ingredients of sugar, oil, and hazelnuts, in that order) can 
currently be considered a staple variety in the vegetables or fruits 
staple food category (i.e., hazelnuts), for example. The accessory food 
items provision will change this policy such that any food product with 
an accessory food main ingredient (with the previously mentioned 
exception of ``water'') will also be considered an accessory food item 
itself. To revise existing policy, the final rule provides that, ``A 
food product containing an accessory food item as its main ingredient 
shall be considered an accessory food item.''
    Because the existing regulations and standing policy on accessory 
foods has resulted in potato chips being counted as a variety in the 
vegetables or fruits staple food category (i.e., potatoes) and pork 
rinds being counted as a variety in the meat, poultry, or fish staple 
food category (i.e., pork), this final rule will amend the definition 
of staple food in 7 CFR 271.2 to read as set forth in the regulatory 
text of this rule. The final rule now provides that accessory food 
items include foods that are generally considered snacks or desserts 
such as, but not limited to chips, ice cream, crackers, cupcakes, 
cookies, popcorn, pastries, and candy, and other food items that 
complement or supplement meals, such as, but not limited to coffee, 
tea, cocoa, carbonated and uncarbonated drinks, condiments, spices, 
salt, and sugar. The final rule further clarifies that items shall not 
be classified as accessory food exclusively based on packaging size but 
rather based on the aforementioned definition and as determined by FNS, 
consistent with the guidance in this preamble and/or with future 
guidance. Additionally, the final rule provides that a food product 
containing an accessory food item as its main ingredient shall be 
considered an accessory food item and that accessory food items shall 
not be considered staple foods for purposes of determining the 
eligibility of any firm. This provision will be implemented for all new 
applicant firms and all firms eligible for reinstatement 120 days after 
the effective date of this final rule and 365 days after the effective 
date of this final rule for all currently authorized firms.

Definition of ``Retail Food Store''--85-15% Prepared Foods Threshold

    This discretionary provision proposed to redefine ``retail food 
store'' so as to consider firms that had more than 15% of their total 
food sales coming from the sale of food items that were cooked or 
heated on-site, before or after purchase, to be restaurants and to 
exclude such restaurants from the Program. Existing regulations at 7 
CFR 278.1(b)(1)(iv) currently consider firms that have more than 50% of 
their total gross retail sales coming from items that are hot and/or 
cold prepared foods not intended for home preparation and consumption 
to be restaurants and exclude such restaurants from the Program. The 
purpose of the proposed provision was to supplement this existing 
regulation and exclude from the Program firms that have circumvented 
Congressional intent and achieved SNAP authorization by selling food 
cold and offering to cook or heat it on the premises after sale. This 
proposed provision received a high number of adverse comments and based 
on the strength of the arguments in these comments, FNS has stricken 
this provision as proposed from the final rule, instead opting to 
modify existing regulations at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(iv) to close this 
loophole. The final rule now provides that firms that are considered to 
be restaurants, that is, firms that have more than 50 percent of their 
total gross retail sales in (1) foods cooked or heated on-site by the 
retailer, before or after purchase; and (2) hot and/or cold prepared 
foods not intended for home preparation and consumption, including 
prepared foods that are consumed on the premises or sold for carryout, 
shall not qualify for participation as retail food stores under 
Criterion A or B.
    For example, a firm has $100,000 in total gross retail sales 
consisting of $60,000 (60%) in nonfood sales and $40,000 (40%) in food 
sales. The proposed provision would have considered only the food sales 
for the purposes of the threshold. Under the proposed provision, 
therefore, this example firm would be considered a restaurant if more 
than $6,000 (15% of $40,000) of its sales came from the sale of food 
items that are were cooked or heated on-site, before or after purchase. 
The final provision, however, considers total gross retail sales rather 
than only total food sales. Under this final provision, therefore, this 
example firm could never be considered a restaurant because more than 
50% of the firm's total gross retail sales come from nonfood sales. 
Under this final provision a firm with $100,000 in total gross retail 
sales could only be considered a restaurant and excluded from the 
Program if more than $50,000 of its sales came from the sale of foods 
cooked or heated on-site, before or after purchase, and the sale of hot 
and/or cold prepared foods not intended for home preparation and 
consumption.
    It should be noted that existing policy, the proposed rule, and the 
final rule do not impact the restaurants authorized by SNAP State 
Agencies to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). The RMP 
is a State-option program active in only a handful of States that 
allows eligible homeless, disabled, and/or elderly SNAP recipients to 
use their SNAP benefits at

[[Page 90682]]

participating restaurants to purchase prepared meals.
    Of the total 1,260 germane and non-duplicative public comments 
received, 513 comments, or about 41% of all public comments, 
specifically addressed this provision. About 48% of total retailer 
commenters specifically opposed this provision. Medical groups and 
governmental entities that commented on this provision were generally 
divided and/or expressed mixed opinions. Industry trade groups, 
advocacy groups, and private citizens that commented on this provision 
were generally opposed.
    Commenters identifying as retailers and trade associations 
generally pointed out that a standard convenience store typically has 
less than 85% of their total food sales coming from the sale of food 
items that are not cooked or heated on-site before or after purchase. 
Such commenters indicated that the average convenience store's hot and/
or cold prepared foods sales, including sales of foods that are cooked 
or heated on-site before or after purchase, are closer to 40% of such 
firms' total food sales, well beyond the 15% threshold for such hot 
and/or cold prepared foods sales, including sales of foods that are 
cooked or heated on-site before or after purchase. Commenters opposing 
this provision stated that this fact would cause the entire convenience 
store industry to be categorically ineligible for SNAP authorization.
    Many advocacy groups also expressed opposition to this provision, 
noting that this provision could have a deleterious impact on food 
access for SNAP households. One national, anti-hunger advocacy group 
noted that, ``We remain concerned about access for low-income 
consumers, particularly in food desert areas, and for all shoppers with 
mobility issues, such as those who are elderly, have disabilities, and/
or lack affordable transportation. We caution the Department against 
setting a threshold that would cause stores to drop out of SNAP and 
lessen food access, particularly for these particular SNAP consumers.''
    Some retailers also noted that determining and documenting what 
SNAP household customers did with cold food after purchase would be 
impractical, especially for a firm with an accessible microwave or 
other heating element. As noted in comments from the international 
chain of convenience stores:

. . . the determination of whether an eligible food product 
constitutes a food heated on-site, post-purchase is not always easy 
to determine. Each . . . store contains a publicly available 
microwave available for customer use . . . however, does not monitor 
its customers' use of store microwaves and does not have a practical 
method of doing so. Any eligibility requirement which would impose 
on . . . stores a need to determine, with specificity, which items 
were heated by customers post-sale would constitute an unreasonable 
imposition, would unduly disrupt its business and would discourage 
its customers from using its microwaves. Such monitoring could also 
have the unintended effect of customers deciding to shop elsewhere. 
[The company's] stores, especially its franchisees, also lack the 
technological ability to collect and maintain such data. Imposition 
of such a requirement would require each store to incur substantial 
software-related costs and could require the hiring of additional 
personnel if monitoring of customer activity for SNAP-eligibility 
purposes is required.

    SNAP authorized firms that primarily sell cold food and then offer 
to cook that food on the premises for customers also specifically 
opposed this provision. The owner of a SNAP authorized firm that sells 
primarily prepared meat products commented, ``Unfortunately, I am 
concerned that the FNS proposed rule would jeopardize my future 
participation in SNAP. . . Currently, the business has more than 15% of 
the total food sales from items that are `cooked or heated on site 
before or after purchase.' '' An owner of a SNAP authorized firm that 
primarily sells pizza, stated opposition to this provision and noted 
that, ``All of our customers are required to pay $1 more than our 
posted take-n-bake prices on our menus regardless of method of payment 
to bake their take-n-bake pizza for them. For SNAP cardholders, the 
products MUST still be unbaked at the point we swipe their card. 
[sic]''
    Supporters of this provision, namely medical groups and State and 
local governmental entities, argue that removing restaurants from the 
Program will benefit SNAP households by eliminating a cost-ineffective 
source of calorie-dense and nutrient-poor food. One health commission 
director, representing a city of 600,000 with about 200 SNAP authorized 
firms, commented, ``We support the effort to uphold the original intent 
of SNAP to purchase food items intended for home preparation and 
consumption . . . The proposed rule adds an additional requirement that 
at least 85 percent of an entity's total food sales must be for items 
that are not cooked or heated onsite before or after purchase. These 
enhancements will help ensure that SNAP retailers offer and sell a 
variety of foods consistent with the language defining a `retail food 
store' ''. This position was also echoed by two national advocacy 
associations, one an organization which claims 37 million members that 
advocates on behalf of persons over 50, and one that is a non-profit, 
health advocacy organization.
    Several industry groups expressed support for the concept of 
excluding restaurants as well, but noted that the threshold set by the 
Agency was not set appropriately in the proposed rule. As noted by the 
international convenience store chain, ``Without question, [our] stores 
are not `restaurants.' Our stores do not have tables or chairs at which 
our customers can eat and we do not employ servers. Our customers 
generally leave the store immediately after completing their purchases. 
None of our stores charge the higher sales tax on restaurant meals 
found in many jurisdictions. And heated items do not constitute more 
than 50% of the food items sold in any of our stores.'' A national, 
independent grocery trade association which claims 1,200 members 
indicated support for this provision's intent while noting that they 
``strongly urge the Agency to lower the proposed threshold.'' Two State 
retailer associations, one which claims to represent nearly 400 food 
retailers, wholesalers, and suppliers and one which claims to represent 
over 800 corporate members operating more than 3,200 retail food 
stores, also shared this view. Another national trade association 
federation of 47 State and regional trade associations which claims to 
represent approximately 8,000 independent petroleum marketers' 
nationwide quoted the suggestion of one of their members that the 
threshold be set at ``25% of sites' total gross sales instead of 15% of 
total food sales.''
    Other commenters noted that existing regulations at 7 CFR 
278.1(b)(1)(iv) already prohibit the authorization of restaurants with 
50% of their gross sales in prepared foods intended for home 
consumption and saw this proposed provision as redundant and excessive. 
As the international chain of convenience stores commented, ``FNS's 
current regulation regarding retailer eligibility provides a clear, 
common sense distinction between retail food stores (which have less 
than 50% of total sales in hot or cold prepared, ready-to-eat foods for 
immediate consumption) and restaurants (which have more than 50% of 
total sales in hot or cold prepared, ready-to-eat foods for immediate 
consumption).''
    As stated in the proposed rule, the Agency's intent in proposing 
this provision was to eliminate restaurants which circumvented 
Congressional intent and achieved SNAP authorization by selling food 
cold and offering to cook or heat it on the premises after the sale.

[[Page 90683]]

For example, a firm accepts SNAP benefits as payment for the purchase 
of unpackaged, cold, breaded chicken strips. After making such a sale, 
the firm then offers to fry this chicken for SNAP customers at the cost 
of one dollar in cash. Such a firm is taking advantage of a loophole in 
order to sell hot food and operate as a restaurant within the Program. 
The Agency still believes that firms that primarily sell seafood, 
pizza, and other food products cold and then offer to heat or cook 
these products on the premises are operating as restaurants, not retail 
food stores. The intent of this proposed provision was to correct 
shortcomings in the existing regulatory language that have allowed for 
the authorization of these types of ``you-buy-we-fry''-style 
restaurants and pizza restaurants.
    FNS reviewed and considered industry data in response to the 
concerns from commenters that the 85-15% threshold would have the 
unintended effect of precluding small-format retail stores with 
marginal sales in foods cooked or heated on-site, before or after 
purchase. According to the National Association of Convenience Stores 
(NACS) State of the Industry (SOI) 2015 Annual Report (NACS State of 
the Industry Annual Report Convenience and Fuel Retailing Totals, 
Trends and Analysis of 2015 Industry Data) the average convenience 
store's total gross sales are divided between 68.22% outside (i.e., 
fuel) sales and 31.78% inside (i.e., foodservice and merchandise) 
sales. The inside sales of the average convenience store include 35.93% 
cigarette and other tobacco sales, 7.21% beer sales, 0.87% health and 
beauty sales. The remaining 55.99% of inside sales (or about 17.79% of 
total gross sales) are food sales (including 9.22% of inside sales 
listed under ``All Other''). Of these food sales, about 37.33% come 
from ``Foodservice.'' ``Foodservice,'' as used in the NACS SOI 2015 
Annual Report, includes ``Prepared Food,'' ``Commissary/Packaged 
Sandwiches,'' ``Hot Dispensed Beverages,'' ``Cold Dispensed 
Beverages,'' and ``Frozen Dispensed Beverages'' and is defined as 
follows: ``Foodservice appears in many different forms in the 
convenience store channel. In some cases, it's a coffee program and a 
soda fountain, in some it's a roller grill and a condiment bar, and at 
the other end of the spectrum it's a full-blown made-to-order quick-
serve restaurant (QSR) or a well-known branded franchise location.'' 
Based on this definition, ``Foodservice'' sales appear to include 
primarily the sale of hot and/or cold prepared foods, including foods 
cooked or heated on-site before or after purchase, and/or intended for 
immediate consumption (``Foodservice'' constitutes 20.90% of total 
inside sales and about 6.64% of total gross sales).
    Based on this data, it appears that excluding firms with more than 
15% of their food sales in foods cooked or heated on-site before or 
after purchase would render the average convenience store ineligible to 
participate in the Program. Furthermore, given that hot and/or cold 
prepared foods, including foods cooked or heated on-site before or 
after purchase, constitutes approximately 6.63% of total gross sales, 
this data indicates that a convenience store with more than 50% of its 
total gross sales issuing from the sale of hot and/or cold prepared 
foods is very far outside of industry norms as such sales figures would 
represent a nearly eightfold greater sales amount in hot and/or cold 
prepared foods over the average convenience store.
    In light of the comments and data, FNS recognizes that this 
provision, if implemented as proposed, would likely have sweeping and 
unintended consequences for smaller format firms. The Agency never 
intended for this provision to categorically preclude convenience 
stores and other small retail food stores with marginal sales in foods 
cooked or heated on-site, before or after purchase, from SNAP 
participation. The stated purpose of this provision was to realign SNAP 
regulations with statutory intent and exclude restaurants from SNAP.
    Therefore, the Agency is narrowing the scope of this provision in 
the final rule and is instead amending existing regulations at 7 CFR 
278.1(b)(1)(iv) to specifically exclude from SNAP participation firms 
with more than 50 percent of their total gross sales in (1) foods 
cooked or heated on-site by the retailer before or after purchase; and 
(2) hot and/or cold prepared foods not intended for home preparation or 
consumption, including prepared foods that are consumed on the premises 
or sold for carryout. Conforming edits were also made to 7 CFR 271.2 to 
the definition of ``retail food store.'' This change to existing 
regulations will close the existing loophole and align SNAP regulations 
with Congressional intent to exclude hot food and restaurants from 
SNAP, while achieving the Agency's stated objectives and addressing 
concerns that the proposed provision might adversely affect SNAP-
authorized firms, such as convenience stores, that do not operate as 
restaurants.
    This provision was never intended to exclude from the Program firms 
that offer both microwaveable products (e.g., frozen burritos and 
packages of popcorn) for sale and self-service microwaves for customer 
use. FNS agrees that is it neither feasible, nor desirable that firms 
be required to monitor customers' usage of self-service microwaves. 
Under this final provision microwaveable food products will not be 
considered foods cooked or heated on-site before or after purchase 
simply because they could be heated after purchase using a self-service 
microwave and eaten on-site. The final provision specifies that this 
prepared food threshold will consider those food products that are 
cooked or heated ``by the retailer''. Such language excludes self-
service microwaves from consideration under this provision. The purpose 
of this provision is to prevent certain types of take-out restaurants 
from continuing to circumvent Congressional intent to exclude hot food 
and restaurants from SNAP. While many small format retail food stores 
may offer some hot and/or cold prepared foods, including foods that are 
cooked or heated on-site by the retailer before or after purchase, for 
sale, FNS does not expect this provision to affect convenience stores 
or similar small format retail food stores as such hot and/or cold 
prepared foods typically constitute less than 7% of total gross sales 
for the average convenience store as indicated by industry data, per 
the aforementioned data in the NACS SOI 2015 Annual Report. While this 
provision is unlikely to affect the vast majority of retailers, it 
closes existing loopholes that allowed restaurants to participate in 
the Program. This provision will be implemented for all retailers 120 
days after the effective date of this final rule.

Definition of ``Retail Food Store''--Co-Located Firms

    This discretionary provision proposed to redefine the term ``retail 
food store'' such that multiple co-located businesses sharing certain 
commonalities would be treated as one firm for the purposes of the 
Program. As proposed, these commonalities included the sale of similar 
foods, single management structure, shared space, logistics, bank 
accounts, employees, and/or inventory. In the proposed rule, FNS 
specifically sought comments pertaining to any unintended adverse 
effects of this proposed change and based on the comments that were 
received this provision was modified to specify that co-located 
businesses will be treated as one firm by FNS only if they share all of 
the three following attributes: (1) Ownership; (2) sale of similar or 
same food products; and (3) shared inventory.

[[Page 90684]]

    This proposed provision received a moderate number of comments. Of 
the total 1,260 germane and non-duplicative public comments received, 
228 comments, or approximately 18% of all public comments, specifically 
addressed this provision. About 22% of total retailer commenters 
specifically opposed this provision. Medical groups that commented on 
this provision were generally divided and/or expressed mixed opinions 
while private citizens that commented on this provision were generally 
supportive. Industry trade groups and advocacy groups that commented on 
this provision were generally opposed. Support for or opposition to 
this provision was almost universally concomitant with support for or 
opposition to the 85-15% prepared foods threshold provision.
    Commenters opposing this provision point out that, in conjunction 
with the 85-15% prepared foods threshold provision, this provision 
would eliminate from the Program any convenience store co-branded and 
co-located with a fast food business. The idea of unifying multiple 
businesses operating ``under one roof'' for purposes of SNAP 
authorization was criticized by trade groups and retailers who stated 
that convenience stores and other small format retail food stores 
operating in shopping malls, travel plazas, strip malls, truck stops, 
and other shared structures could face elimination from the Program due 
to their proximity to a totally unaffiliated fast food restaurant. For 
example, the national truck stop retailer trade association commented, 
``As a practical matter, this rule would result in scenarios where 
[our] members' convenience stores would be ineligible to participate in 
SNAP simply because they operate adjacent to a separate restaurant. 
This is arbitrary and contrary to the Program's objectives.'' Overall 
opposed commenters noted that this provision was overly broad and could 
result in the unfair treatment of numerous discrete businesses.
    The Agency proposed this provision to close a loophole that allows 
firms to obtain SNAP authorization in contravention of clear statutory 
intent to exclude restaurants from the Program. For example, a firm 
applying for SNAP authorization purports to operate two businesses 
within one building. The first business sells hot pizza, is considered 
a restaurant by FNS, and is, therefore, ineligible for SNAP 
authorization. The second business sells only cold pizza and is, 
therefore, eligible for SNAP authorization under Criterion B. Both 
businesses sell the same product, are managed and owned by the same 
individuals, employ the same personnel, operate in the same space, draw 
from the same inventory, and handle their finances through the same 
accounting mechanisms. The only difference between the two businesses 
in this example is that the former does not accept SNAP EBT cards as a 
form of payment at its designated cash register, while the latter does. 
Firms obtaining SNAP authorization through such a superficial 
bifurcation of their businesses are clearly circumventing regulatory 
and statutory intent to exclude restaurants from the Program in order 
to sell their food, in this example, pizzas. This provision was 
proposed in order to close this loophole.
    It was never the Agency's intent to treat multiple businesses as 
one firm because such businesses simply share a roof and an owner. The 
Agency's intent in the proposed provision was not to consider multiple 
businesses operating within one truck stop or strip mall as a single 
firm even if they shared some commonalities, such as management and 
personnel, so long as they were not also engaged in other common 
practices as well, such as selling similar or the same products drawn 
from the same inventory. In the commenter's example, therefore, the 
presence of a fast food restaurant at a travel plaza would not be 
likely to have any bearing on the SNAP authorization status of a 
convenience store located in the same travel plaza.
    FNS appreciates the comments from stakeholders and other members of 
the public that highlight the vagueness and possible unintended effects 
of the proposed provision. In response to these comments, FNS has 
clarified and narrowed this provision in the final rule. As it is 
written in the final rule at 7 CFR 271.2, co-located businesses will be 
treated as one firm by FNS only if they share all of the three 
following attributes: (1) Ownership; (2) sale of similar or same food 
products; and (3) shared inventory. This revision clarifies the 
vagueness in the proposed language and limits the provision's potential 
effects in keeping with its intent. This provision will be implemented 
for all retailers 120 days after the effective date of this final rule.

Definition of ``Retail Food Store''--Depth of Stock

    This discretionary provision proposed to address depth of stock by 
establishing a minimum of six stocking units per staple food variety 
which certain SNAP authorized firms must offer for sale and normally 
display in a public area on a continuous basis. This provision received 
a high number of adverse comments as proposed. Based on the strength of 
the arguments made in these comments, in the final rule this depth of 
stock requirement has been halved to a minimum of three stocking units 
per staple food variety. When combined with the increases in the number 
of varieties required per staple food category per the breadth of stock 
provision of the rule, the proposed depth of stock provision would have 
required a minimum stock for certain SNAP authorized retailers of 168 
items, while under the final rule this depth of stock provision 
requires 84 items.
    Of the total 1,260 germane and non-duplicative public comments 
received, 490 comments, or approximately 39% of all public comments, 
specifically addressed this provision. About 91% of commenters that 
addressed this proposed provision opposed it. About 47% of total 
retailer commenters specifically opposed this provision. Medical groups 
that commented on this provision were generally supportive while 
government entities, private citizens, and advocacy organizations that 
commented on this provision were generally divided and/or expressed 
mixed opinions.
    Most retailers and industry groups opposed this provision on the 
grounds that the volume of products required by the proposed depth and 
breadth of stock provisions (i.e., 168 total items) are untenable, as 
proposed, for small-scale firms to store, display, and stock. As a 
representative of an American drug store chain which claims over 8,000 
locations, about 7,000 of which are SNAP authorized firms, notes, 
``Since the 168 items must be continually stocked, a retailer must, in 
reality, stock far more than 168 items to replace any items that are 
sold. If a retailer only stocks the required 168 items, they run the 
risk of non-compliance with Depth of Stock requirements each time an 
item is sold. We request FNS further clarify this concern.'' Other 
commenters echoed this concern, stating that they feared the loss of 
SNAP authorization could occur as the result of selling a single item 
immediately prior to an FNS inspection.
    Under existing regulations at 7 CFR 278.1(a), FNS may require an 
applicant firm to submit to an inspection, or store visit, as a part of 
the SNAP authorization process. FNS understands that firms may sell out 
of certain products or experience temporary disruptions to their supply 
chain and that such occurrences may result in stocking shortfalls at 
the time of an Agency store visit. If a firm has insufficient food 
stocked on hand at the time of this store visit, this does not 
necessarily preclude the firm from receiving SNAP authorization. Under

[[Page 90685]]

existing regulations at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A), if it is not clear 
that the firm met the stocking requirements at the time of a store 
visit, FNS may offer applicant firms the opportunity to demonstrate 
their compliance with such requirements through the submission of 
supporting documentation, such as invoices or receipts, indicating that 
the firm had recently ordered or received the required staple foods 
prior to the store visit.
    In order to address the concerns and confusion of the commenters, 
the final rule retains and clarifies the language at 7 CFR 
278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A) that affords firms the opportunity to submit 
supporting documentation in the case of certain stocking shortfalls at 
the time of an Agency store visit. Additionally, the final rule 
specifies that such supporting documentation must be dated within 21 
days of the store visit. This timeframe of 21 calendar days, or three 
weeks, reflects the need for retailers to stock perishable staple foods 
on a continuous basis. Existing SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 
278.1(b)(1)(ii)(B) define ``perishable foods'' as items that ``will 
spoil or suffer significant deterioration in quality within 2-3 
weeks.'' This language in 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A) should not be 
construed as allowing retailers to submit receipts or invoices to FNS 
instead of having sufficient stock on hand; the purpose of this 
language is to acknowledge the realities of the retail marketplace and 
provide stores that stock sufficient food on a continuous basis some 
degree of flexibility. The Agency has amended language in this 
provision at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A) to provide that, ``Documentation 
to determine if a firm stocks a sufficient amount of required staple 
foods to offer them for sale on a continuous basis may be required in 
cases where it is not clear that the requirement has been met. Such 
documentation can be achieved through verifying information, when 
requested by FNS, such as invoices and receipts in order to prove that 
the firm had purchased and stocked a sufficient amount of required 
staple foods up to 21 calendar days prior to the date of the store 
visit.''
    Under this final rule firms that are SNAP authorized under 
Criterion A must offer for sale and display in a public area (e.g., on 
store shelves) qualifying staple food items on a continuous basis, 
evidenced by having no fewer than seven different varieties of food 
items in each of the four staple food categories with a minimum depth 
of stock of three stocking units for each staple variety. This means 
that, on any given day of operations, such a firm should offer a total 
of 84 units for sale (3 stocking units [middot] 7 staple varieties 
[middot] 4 staple food categories = 84 units). Generally Agency 
determinations of eligibility under Criterion A are guided by store 
visit documentation of food items that are being offered for sale and 
displayed in a public area at the time of store visits. So, for 
example, if a firm is subject to a store visit on the 22nd of January 
and is found to have only 83 of the required 84 units on hand, then 
that firm may be afforded the opportunity to provide FNS with 
supporting documentation. In this case one acceptable form of 
supporting documentation would be documentation of order or purchase 
(e.g., an invoice) verifying that the firm placed an order for food 
stock, including the missing required unit, that is dated no earlier 
than the 1st of January and no later than the time of the store visit 
on the 22nd of January. Another acceptable form of supporting 
documentation would be documentation of receipt or delivery (e.g., a 
receipt) verifying that the firm received an order of food stock, 
including the missing required unit, that is dated no earlier than the 
1st of January and no later than the time of the store visit on the 
22nd of January. If the firm in this example was able to provide an 
acceptable form of supporting documentation to verify that the firm 
stocks the required staple food items on a continuous basis (84 items), 
then the firm would be authorized to participate in SNAP. However, if, 
for example, a firm had 0 of the required 84 units on hand at the time 
of store visit, then that firm would not be given the opportunity to 
submit supporting documentation and would instead be denied SNAP 
authorization. Such a result clearly demonstrates the firm has not made 
a reasonable restocking effort.
    Some commenters stated that the failure to meet the stocking 
requirements of this provision at the time of a store visit would 
result in substantial costs to firms due to the thousands of dollars in 
fines FNS would levy against such firms as penalties for failing to 
meet stocking requirements. Under existing regulations, a firm that 
fails to meet current stocking requirements is denied SNAP 
authorization or withdrawn from the Program. Once denied or withdrawn, 
such a firm must wait six months to reapply for SNAP authorization. FNS 
does not levy fines against retailers who are denied or withdrawn from 
the Program on the basis of failing to meet the stocking requirements 
as no statute or regulations currently authorizes FNS to levy fines 
against retailers for such a failure. Neither the proposed rule, nor 
the final rule change this fact. This matter is further examined in the 
final rule's RFA and RIA. A civil penalty (i.e., a civil money penalty 
or civil monetary penalty) may be applied in lieu of a period of 
disqualification when a SNAP authorized retailer violates SNAP rules 
(e.g., sale of cigarettes, tobacco, or alcohol for SNAP benefits).
    Another objection raised to this provision pertained to food waste. 
Some commenters posited that the increase in the number of staple food 
categories in which perishable food items are required (a statutorily 
mandated increase from two to three staple food categories) coupled 
with this depth of stock requirement would result in spoilage, waste, 
and exorbitant costs to retailers. As noted by a representative of a 
convenience store distributor company that professes to service over 
1,000 retail food stores in six States, ``For many non-perishable 
items, if [convenience stores] do not sell to the consumer by their 
expiration date, we can send those products back to the manufacturer 
who will provide certain types of refunds or will replace product. This 
practice only applies to select nonperishables and DOES NOT [sic] apply 
to most products stipulated under the revised FNS rules for SNAP. 
Perishable items are NEVER [sic] refunded by the manufacturer after the 
expiration date, so the cost of spoilage on those products is borne 
completely by the retailer.'' Under the proposed rule this depth of 
stock provision would require a minimum of 18 perishable food items, 
while in the final rule this depth of stock provision requires a 
minimum of nine perishable food items where ``perishable'' is defined 
by existing regulations at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(B) to include frozen, 
fresh, refrigerated, and unrefrigerated food products ``that will spoil 
or suffer significant deterioration in quality within 2-3 weeks'' such 
as loaves of bread and potatoes.
    Another common objection raised to this provision pertained to 
space and stocking logistics. Some commenters argued that, in 
conjunction with the breadth of stock provision, this depth of stock 
provision would require stocking a quantity of food items that simply 
exceed the available shelf space at most small format retail food 
stores. Some commenters also posited that the quantity of perishable 
food items required by this rule would force small-format firms to 
purchase additional refrigerator or freezer units for storage. The 
regional chain of convenience stores which claims over 600 locations, 
about 550 of which are SNAP

[[Page 90686]]

authorized firms, also noted that their ``current stocking needs and 
inventory management systems [cannot] guarantee a minimum of six units 
at all times for each of the relevant staple foods. At very least, we 
would need to revise our planograms and general merchandising 
strategies, and revisit our hardware and software applications.''
    As discussed in the RIA and RFA, estimates of the final rule's 
impacts on retailers are based on an analysis of a nationally 
representative sample of 1,392 SNAP authorized small-format firms using 
data gathered by FNS during store inspections, or store visits. Based 
on this analysis FNS estimates that the average small-format SNAP 
authorized firm already stocks over 70% of the stock needed to meet the 
requirements of this final rule and the average small-format SNAP 
authorized firm will only need to stock an additional 24 items. 
Moreover, this analysis indicated that over 98% of small-format SNAP 
authorized firms currently stock at least nine perishable staple food 
items and, therefore, that the overwhelming majority of small-format 
SNAP authorized firms will not need to stock any additional perishable 
items to meet the requirements in this final rule.
    Moreover, as discussed in the RFA, the Agency has analyzed examples 
of stocking units of qualifying staple food varieties to determine the 
shelf space that will be occupied by the 84 required items. The Agency 
estimates that the 84 items required under the final rule would occupy 
approximately 7,500 cubic inches. These 84 items would occupy about 5.6 
square feet of non-refrigerated shelf space. Assuming stores choose to 
display these non-refrigerated items in a standard manner (i.e., cans 
of fruit cocktail are shelved three items deep on the shelf) the Agency 
estimates that these non-refrigerated items would occupy less than two 
full shelves on standard three-shelf wall shelving unit (84'' height x 
48'' length x 16'' depth). While FNS estimates that the refrigerated 
items would require about 4.3 linear feet of refrigerated shelf space 
(where a refrigerated shelf has a standard 48'' width), 98 percent of 
small SNAP-authorized firms already stock sufficient perishable items 
to meet the perishables requirement. Therefore, FNS considers it 
unlikely that these stores will need additional refrigerated space 
beyond their current capacity. Furthermore, as our analysis indicates 
that most stores will need to add far fewer than 84 items to meet the 
combined stocking requirements of this rule (24 additional items for 
the average store); the additional shelf space needed is likely to be 
well below these estimates.
    Since the average small-format SNAP authorized firm already stocks 
most of the items required under this final rule, FNS contends that 
this provision, and all of the stocking provisions as a whole, will 
have a negligible impact on retailers from a spatial and logistical 
perspective. FNS does not anticipate that requiring firms to utilize a 
fraction of a shelf to stock an additional 24 items will necessitate 
any major changes to the planograms or general merchandising strategies 
of the average small-format retailer.
    Certain industry groups, such as that national food retail trade 
association, had questions regarding the definition of ``stocking 
unit'' and requested further clarification. Per commenters' requests, a 
list of examples has been added in Section IV of this document which 
provides a more complete illustrative, but not exhaustive, examination 
of what constitutes a stocking unit, and what does not constitute a 
stocking unit for the purposes of this depth of stock provision.
    State and local government entities as well as medical and advocacy 
groups largely supported this provision, arguing that it would ensure 
the availability of staple food items on the shelves of SNAP authorized 
firms. One State public health official, representing a State with a 
population of 38.8 million that includes over 25,500 SNAP authorized 
firms, noted that this provision would help by ``increasing the 
likelihood that these foods will be available to SNAP participants on 
an ongoing basis'' and a city health department representing 8.5 
million people and over 10,000 SNAP authorized firms, noted that, in 
concert with other provisions, this provision would increase ``the 
overall diversity of foods stocked on a continuous basis''.
    On the other hand, several retailer and industry group commenters 
stated that the proposed number of required stocking units was simply 
too great for small format retailers and recommended scaling back the 
number of stocking units required. The petroleum marketers' trade 
association federation recommended that, ``[to] help the small retailer 
the depth of stock should be cut to three items of each of the seven 
varieties in each staple group''. Another State grocer association, 
which professes to represent about 400 retailer members, recommended 
that ``[reconsideration] of six different units of any food item in a 
store at any given time should also be made, dropping that requirement 
to a lower number.''
    The proposed rule would have increased the required depth and 
breadth of staple food stock while simultaneously expanding the list of 
accessory foods excluded from the definition of ``staple foods'' and 
excluding multiple ingredient food items from the definition of 
``staple foods.'' According to some comments received, taken together, 
these four provisions would constitute an unreasonably burdensome 
stocking requirement for small format retailers. The Agency 
acknowledges commenters' concerns about the overall impact of the 
various provisions in this final rule on small format retailers. 
However, the Agency also agrees with the comments from some State/local 
governmental entities and medical groups that having a depth of stock 
requirement would increase the likelihood of healthy staple food 
options being available to SNAP recipients. Therefore, FNS is 
addressing depth of stock by establishing a depth of stock provision, 
but amending the provision at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A) by reducing the 
required number of stocking units from the proposed six units to three 
units for each staple food variety in this final rule. Conforming edits 
were also made to 7 CFR 271.2 to the definition of ``retail food 
store''. As a result of this change the costs and burdens associated 
with compliance, perishable spoilage, and shelf space have all been 
significantly reduced, as reflected in the RIA and RFA. This provision 
will be implemented for all new applicant firms and all firms eligible 
for reinstatement 120 days after the effective date of this final rule 
and 365 days after the effective date of this final rule for all 
currently authorized firms.

Definition of ``Retail Food Store''--Breadth of Stock

    As explained in the preamble to the proposed rule, the 2014 Farm 
Bill amended the Act to increase the number of staple food varieties 
required per staple food category from three to seven and to increase 
the staple food categories required to contain at least one perishable 
variety from two to three. The proposed rule sought to codify these 
mandatory requirements from the 2014 Farm Bill. This proposed breadth 
of stock provision received a moderate number of largely supportive or 
mixed comments. Of the total 1,260 germane and non-duplicative public 
comments received, 482 comments, or approximately 38% of total public 
comments, specifically addressed the increase from three to seven 
varieties and 288 comments, or about 23% of total public comments, 
specifically

[[Page 90687]]

addressed the increase from two to three categories containing at least 
one perishable variety. About 56% of comments that specifically 
addressed the increase from three to seven varieties supported this 
change while approximately 39% were mixed and about 5% opposed this 
change. Approximately 90% of comments that specifically addressed the 
increase from two to three staple food categories containing at least 
one perishable variety supported this change while about 8% opposed 
this change and approximately 2% were mixed. Overall less than 1% of 
total retailer commenters specifically opposed this provision. Medical 
groups, private citizens, and advocacy groups that commented on this 
provision were generally supportive while government entities and 
industry trade groups that commented on this provision were generally 
divided and/or expressed mixed opinions. This provision was included in 
the final rule as proposed.
    Some governmental, medical, and advocate commenters believed that 
this provision did not go far enough to ensure that SNAP authorized 
firms stocked sufficient nutritious food options. Such commenters noted 
that the SNAP four staple food categories have not kept pace with 
changes to the USDA's nutritional recommendations, now represented by 
MyPlate. Such commenters suggested that the vegetables or fruits staple 
food category should be split into two separate staple food 
categories--the fruit staple food category and the vegetable staple 
food category. Such commenters went on to argue that seven varieties 
should be required for both of these staple food categories (for a 
total requirement of 14 fruit and vegetable staple food varieties). 
However, the current four staple food categories are statutorily-
mandated in Section 3(q)(1) of the Act and the suggestion of breaking 
the four staple food categories into five categories would exceed the 
Agency's statutory authority.
    There were other commenters who stated that they expected that 
retailers would have difficulty reaching seven different varieties in 
the meat, poultry, or fish and the dairy products staple food 
categories. As one city mayor, representing a city of 600,000 residents 
containing 1,000 SNAP authorized firms, pointed out, ``It is difficult 
to list off seven common varieties of dairy that all types of stores 
will be able to carry. With the majority of dairy products being 
perishable, retailers cited lack of cooling infrastructure and cold 
storage, and difficulty in procuring and selling at an affordable cost 
as barriers to stock seven varieties of dairy.''
    FNS acknowledges the difficulties in reaching seven varieties in 
certain staple food categories. FNS has amended the final rule to 
address this concern, along with other comments specifically regarding 
acceptable varieties in the four staple food categories, as explained 
in the section on ``Definition of `Staple Food'--Acceptable Varieties 
in the Four Staple Food Categories.'' However, because the Act requires 
that stores authorized under Criterion A stock seven varieties in each 
of the four staple food categories and at least one variety of 
perishables in three of those staple food categories; this breadth of 
stock requirement remains unchanged in the final rule. Conforming edits 
were also made to 7 CFR 271.2 to the definition of ``retail food 
store'' and 7 CFR[thinsp]278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A) to reflect the new breadth 
of stock requirement. This provision will be implemented for all new 
applicant firms and all firms eligible for reinstatement 120 days after 
the effective date of this final rule and 365 days after the effective 
date of this final rule for all currently authorized firms.

Definition of ``Firm''

    This discretionary provision proposed to define ``firm'' so as to 
clarify that it also includes retailers, entities, and stores. Only one 
comment, a joint comment submitted by the international convenience 
store trade association and the petroleum marketers' trade association, 
specifically addressed this provision. No other retailer commenters 
specifically opposed this provision.
    The one comment that addressed this provision opposed it, stating 
that ``[to] conflate `store' with `firm' may have far-reaching 
ramifications in terms of licensing, enforcement and other policies'' 
and further added that ``[conflating] all of these terms will only 
introduce confusion and lead to unintended results''. The purpose of 
this provision is to clarify and unify terms that are currently used 
interchangeably throughout current SNAP regulations. Therefore, the 
provision at 7 CFR 271.2 remains unchanged in the final rule. This 
provision will be implemented on the effective date of this final rule.

Need for Access

    In the proposed rule FNS proposed to amend 7 CFR 278.1(b) to allow 
the Agency to consider ``need for access'' when a retailer does not 
meet all of the requirements for SNAP authorization. FNS does not 
anticipate that large grocery stores and supermarkets will struggle to 
meet the stocking requirements of this final rule and FNS only expects 
to consider ``need for access'' for small format retailers. The purpose 
of this provision, therefore, is to provide a mechanism to safeguard 
food access for SNAP recipients especially when an isolated or 
underserved community relies heavily on small format retail food stores 
for its grocery shopping needs.
    FNS understands that small businesses, such as independent 
convenience stores, play a vital role in the life of all Americans. 
These small businesses enrich both urban and rural communities by 
providing economic prosperity, employment opportunities, and 
sustainable growth. Very often small format retail food stores are the 
only venue available in isolated or underserved areas. When drafting 
this final rule FNS carefully considered the comments from the U.S. 
Small Business Association Office of Advocacy, as well as the comments 
submitted by retailers, trade associations, and other commenting 
entities. Concerns expressed regarding proposed provisions were 
incorporated into this final rule to minimize potential adverse impacts 
on small businesses. In addition to these changes, this need for access 
provision additionally accommodates small businesses and serves as a 
hedge against potential loss of food access.
    With respect to this need for access provision the preamble to the 
proposed rule stated that ``FNS will consider factors such as distance 
from the nearest SNAP authorized retailer, transportation options to 
other SNAP authorized retailer locations, the gap between a store's 
stock and SNAP required stock for authorized eligibility, and whether 
the store furthers the purpose of the Program.''
    In the proposed rule, FNS specifically requested comments from the 
public to help FNS refine the factors used to determine whether a 
retailer is located in an area with significantly limited access to 
food. This provision received few comments. Of the total 1,260 germane 
and non-duplicative public comments received, 48 comments, or about 4% 
of total public comments, specifically addressed this provision. About 
71% of comments that specifically addressed this provision suggested 
modifications or alterations to the proposed factors to be considered 
under this provision. This provision has been retained with 
modifications based largely on feedback received in the final rule. Few 
retailer commenters specifically opposed this provision and all other 
commenter types were considered mixed.

[[Page 90688]]

    Some retailers opposed this provision on the grounds that the 
implementation of this provision would result in inequitable treatment 
of firms. The regional convenience store chain that commented noted 
that, ``FNS should not be positioning itself to pick winners and losers 
in the competitive marketplace.''
    As explained in the proposed rule, the 2014 Farm Bill amended 
Section 9(a) of the Act to allow FNS to consider whether an applicant 
retailer is located in an area with significantly limited access to 
food when determining the qualifications of that applicant. The 
Manager's Statement accompanying the 2014 Farm Bill indicated that the 
intent of Congress was to encourage the Secretary ``to give broad 
consideration to the impacts of additional requirements . . . on food 
access in food deserts or other areas with limited food access.'' H. 
Conf. Rep. 113-333, at 434 (Jan. 27, 2014). As such, this rule is 
simply implementing a statutory provision that accommodates areas with 
significantly limited access to food and retailers in such areas for 
whom the new stocking standards may be a challenge to meet. FNS 
specifically requested feedback from the public regarding the proposed 
change during the comment period. FNS has reviewed all comments and 
will be refining the provision in the final rule as described below. 
The Agency also intends to provide Program stakeholders with additional 
guidance on this provision.
    Some retailers and industry trade groups also opposed this 
provision on the grounds that the proposed provision would create 
additional delays and administrative burdens for applying firms. The 
proposed process would allow FNS to waive certain retailer eligibility 
requirements in instances where applying firms served communities with 
low food access, as determined by FNS. This provision was always 
intended to function internally to the Agency and in tandem with the 
existing SNAP authorization process. FNS does not expect to need any 
additional information from applicant retailers to assist in the Agency 
determination. Instead, FNS will rely on information that the Agency 
currently receives as part of the retailer SNAP authorization process 
and publicly available information about the area in which the store is 
located, such as data in the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community 
Survey (ACS). Therefore, FNS does not anticipate any additional 
burdens, costs, or delays for retailers that would be created by this 
provision.
    FNS, however, acknowledges the confusion of commenters regarding 
how this provision would work in practice and how it would affect the 
timeline for applicant firms' authorization to participate in the 
Program. As a result, the Agency has clarified the language of this 
provision in the final rule to specify in 7 CFR 278.1(b)(6) that, 
``Such considerations will be conducted during the application process 
as described in 7 CFR 278.1(a).'' This means that an applicant firm 
will still receive an authorization determination within 45 days of 
Agency receipt of a firm's completed application for authorization. 
During this period need for access will be considered if applicable.
    The international convenience store trade association also opposed 
this provision on grounds of fairness, stating that ``If, for example, 
only one store in a food desert was SNAP authorized, then it could 
charge whatever it wanted to a captive consumer base.'' Under the 
existing SNAP equal treatment provisions at 7 CFR 278.2(b) and 7 CFR 
274.7(f), it is prohibited for firms to treat SNAP households 
differently than any other customers; therefore, retailers are 
prohibited from charging SNAP customers different prices than non-SNAP 
customers for the same products. Such predatory retail price gouging 
practices targeting SNAP customers would, therefore, already be 
prohibited under existing SNAP regulations.
    Some medical and advocacy groups opposed this provision, or the 
frequent application of this provision, on the grounds that it would 
allow firms to avoid compliance and deprive communities that depend on 
small food retail stores as the most convenient and accessible option 
for purchasing food of a sufficient variety of healthy food options.
    However, most retailer, industry, advocacy, governmental, and 
medical entities that referenced this provision did not support or 
oppose the provision, but instead suggested additional factors for FNS 
to consider. Factors suggested for consideration by commenters, beyond 
those put forward by the Agency in the proposed rule, included, but 
were not limited to, car ownership rates, public transportation 
availability, density of SNAP households, regional food availability, 
regional food prices, and underserved ethnic communities. In order to 
ensure that the Agency is able to consider some of these suggested 
factors, and any other factors needed to determine food access, the 
language of this provision in the final rule at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(6) 
provides that the factors listed are not exhaustive.
    Additionally, the final rule limits the applicability of this 
provision to applicant firms that fail to meet both Criterion A (i.e., 
requiring firms to stock qualifying staple food items on a continuous 
basis, evidenced by having no fewer than seven different varieties of 
food items in each of the four staple food categories with a minimum 
depth of stock of three stocking units for each qualifying staple 
variety) and Criterion B (i.e., requiring firms to have 50 percent of 
total gross retail sales in staple food sales), but meet all other SNAP 
authorization requirements. This change is in keeping with 
Congressional intent as expressed in the Manager's Statement 
accompanying the 2014 Farm Bill which indicated that this need for 
access provision is intended to accommodate retailers in low food 
access areas for whom the new stocking standards may be a challenge to 
meet.
    The need for access provision in the final rule also clarifies the 
factors that will be considered by the Agency will pertain to either: 
(1) Area food access; or (2) firm specific information. Finally, the 
proposed rule put forward the Agency's intent to implement this need 
for access provision 60 days after publication of this final rule. As 
stated earlier, this provision is intended to accommodate small 
retailers in low food access areas for whom the new stocking standards 
may be a challenge to meet, therefore this provision will be 
implemented in tandem with the new stocking standards. This need for 
access provision, therefore, will be implemented for all new applicant 
firms and all firms eligible for reinstatement 120 days after the 
effective date of this final rule and 365 days after the effective date 
of this final rule for all currently authorized firms.
    This language of this provision in the final rule reads as set 
forth in Sec.  278.1(b)(6) in the regulatory text of this rule. The 
final rule provides that FNS will consider whether the applicant firm 
is located in an area with significantly limited access to food when 
the applicant firm fails to meet Criterion A per 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii) 
or Criterion B per 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(iii) so long as the applicant firm 
meets all other SNAP authorization requirements. The final rule further 
provides that, in determining whether an applicant is located in such 
an area, FNS will consider access factors such as, but not limited to, 
the distance from the applicant firm to the nearest currently SNAP 
authorized firm and the availability of transportation in the vicinity 
of the applicant firm; and that in determining whether an applicant 
should be authorized in the Program despite failure to meet Criterion A 
and Criterion B, FNS will also consider firm factors such as, but not 
limited to, the extent of the applicant firm's

[[Page 90689]]

deficiencies in meeting Criterion A and Criterion B and whether the 
store furthers the purposes of the Program. Furthermore, the final rule 
provides that such considerations will be conducted during the 
application process as described in 7 CFR 278.1(a). This provision will 
be implemented for all new applicant firms and all firms eligible for 
reinstatement 120 days after the effective date of this final rule and 
365 days after the effective date of this final rule for all currently 
authorized firms.

Definition of ``Staple Food''--Acceptable Varieties in the Four Staple 
Food Categories

    This discretionary provision proposed to clarify and amend the 
definition of ``variety'' as it pertains to staple food varieties in 
the four staple food categories. This provision received an overall 
mixed response. Of the total 1,260 germane and non-duplicative public 
comments received, 168 comments, or approximately 13% of all public 
comments, specifically addressed this provision. About 16% of total 
retailer commenters specifically opposed this provision. Industry 
groups largely opposed this provision and other commenter types, such 
as advocacy, medical, and governmental entities, were generally divided 
and/or expressed mixed opinions.
    Some commenters opposed to this provision stated that this 
provision did not represent a clarification of existing policy, but 
rather a radical change in the definition of ``variety,'' especially 
with respect to the definition of ``variety'' for the meat, poultry, or 
fish staple food category. A joint comment submitted by the 
international convenience store trade association and the petroleum 
marketers' trade association, for example, stated that ``FNS has also 
proposed to `clarify' the term `variety.' But, the proposed rule 
advances not a clarification but a redefinition''. The national trade 
association for the travel plaza and truck stop industry echoed this 
criticism, asserting that FNS policy currently treats multiple formats 
of turkey and pork as discrete varieties and that the proposed rule 
would change this supposed standing definition of ``variety'':

    For example, under the Proposed regulatory text, ham and salami 
would both qualify as one `variety' of item--`pork'--for purposes of 
satisfying the seven-variety staple food threshold. Similarly, 
turkey burgers, sliced turkey, and ground turkey would all qualify 
as one variety--`turkey' rather than different [sic] three different 
`varieties' in the meat, poultry, and fish category. The Proposal's 
preamble does not attempt to justify this significant shift in 
policy beyond saying that it is designed to `clear up confusion that 
may exist in current regulations.' [This organization] is not aware 
of any such confusion. Indeed, retailer confusion in this area can 
be sourced entirely to the language in the proposed regulatory text 
that would treat all food items from the same food source (e.g., 
chicken) as a single `variety.' There is little policy justification 
for treating all items from the same food source as a single 
`variety' of item. [emphasis added]

Additionally, some commenters criticized the standing definition of 
``variety'' specifically in the context of the vegetables or fruits 
staple food category. As the international convenience store trade 
association and the petroleum marketers' trade association stated, 
``For the vegetable or fruit category, there is no reason why Fuji 
apples and a jar of applesauce should not be considered different 
varieties; they are different products from the same food family 
(apples).''
    Under existing SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(C) 
multiple formats of the same base product are not construed as 
constituting multiple varieties for the purpose of Criterion A 
eligibility. Canned chicken, frozen chicken, and fresh chicken, for 
example, are currently considered one variety (chicken) under existing 
SNAP regulations and policies. That this provision counts multiple 
formats of one variety (e.g., chicken) as a single variety represents a 
restatement of existing Agency regulation and policy. In fact, the 
adoption of the suggestions of the international convenience store 
trade association and the petroleum marketers' trade association that 
``raw chicken breast, refrigerated grilled chicken, or frozen chicken 
and vegetable stir fry should be considered different varieties'' and 
that the Agency should ``consider cream cheese and Laughing Cow creamy 
Swiss cheese to be two different [varieties]'' would represent a 
reversal of the existing definition of ``variety,'' which in accordance 
with existing regulations at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(C), ``. . . is not 
to be interpreted as different brands, different nutrient values, 
different varieties of packaging, or different package sizes.'' This 
existing policy was further examined in the 2001 Benefits Redemption 
Division (BRD) Policy Memorandum 01-04 which reads, in part, ``Examples 
of unacceptable varieties includes tomato juice, fresh tomatoes and 
canned stewed tomatoes in the vegetables or fruits category.'' As is 
clear from this memorandum, long-standing Agency policy has not 
considered multiple formats of a product (e.g., raw chicken, canned 
chicken, and frozen chicken) to constitute discrete staple food 
varieties.
    Variety has been traditionally defined by the Agency based on the 
essential composition of the food product (i.e., main ingredient), 
especially in the meat, poultry, or fish and vegetables or fruits 
staple food categories. Products that share the same primary component 
(e.g., sliced turkey and ground turkey--turkey) and very similar kinds 
of products (e.g., McIntosh apples and Empire apples--apples; 
mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese--cheeses) have not generally been 
considered to represent discrete varieties in their respective staple 
food categories. Main ingredient and product kind have, therefore, been 
recognized in Agency policy as the primary determinants of variety. The 
confusion evidenced by retailers' and trade associations' comments 
regarding the Agency's current definition of ``variety'' may be a 
reflection of the fact that retail food stores may generally meet the 
current Criterion A stocking requirements (i.e., three varieties in 
each of the four staple food categories) without deliberately 
considering the products needed for compliance. The increase in the 
number of required varieties from three to seven, which was mandated by 
the 2014 Farm Bill, has caused retailers to carefully consider what 
stock would affect compliance and may have resulted in the 
aforementioned comments and confusions.
    Some advocacy and local or State government commenters suggested 
including plant-based proteins in the meat, poultry, or fish staple 
food category and plant-based dairy alternatives in the dairy products 
staple food category. One county health department, representing a 
county with a population over 750,000 and containing over 700 SNAP 
authorized firms argued that, ``Additional staple food items that 
should be considered include eggs and plant-based protein sources such 
as canned or frozen legumes, unsalted nuts and seeds, and soy products 
(i.e., tofu). These products could be included in the staple foods 
category for meat, poultry and fish, re-framed as a protein category.'' 
As discussed earlier in the context of the breadth of stock provision, 
there were also commenters who stated that they expected that retailers 
would have difficulty in reaching seven different varieties in the 
meat, poultry, or fish and the dairy staple food categories.
    In common language usage a ``dairy product'' is understood to mean 
an edible food product produced from the milk of a mammal, most 
commonly cow's milk. Some traditional varieties of

[[Page 90690]]

dairy include milk, butter, yogurt, and cheese. There are a small 
number of unique varieties of commonplace dairy products, most of which 
share the same main ingredient (i.e., milk). Under existing Agency 
policy, plant-based dairy alternatives are also considered acceptable 
varieties in the dairy products staple food category. In fact, as 
proposed, the rule had specified that ``plant-based milk'' was included 
as a variety in the dairy products staple food category, which would 
provide additional choices for retailers in meeting the new breadth of 
stock requirements.
    FNS acknowledges the difficulty in reaching seven varieties in this 
staple food category. Given this reality, as well as the needs of 
lactose-intolerant consumers, the final rule will consider plant-based 
dairy products to be varieties in the dairy products staple food 
category based on their main ingredient (e.g., cow's milk, goat's milk, 
almond, and soy) and the traditional dairy product for which they are a 
substitute (i.e., product kind). For example, almond-based milk, soy-
based milk, almond-based cheese, and soy-based cheese will each be 
considered a discrete variety in the dairy products staple food 
category under the final rule. Additionally, the final rule modifies 
existing Agency policy to subdivide certain traditional, animal-based 
dairy varieties into more than one variety. For example, under existing 
Agency policy cheese is considered one variety while under the final 
rule cow's milk-based soft cheese and cow's milk-based firm/hard cheese 
each will be considered discrete varieties.
    Additionally, FNS acknowledges the importance of plant-based 
sources of protein and the potential difficulties in reaching seven 
varieties in the meat, poultry, or fish staple food category. The final 
rule, therefore, will modify existing Agency policy to include three 
varieties of plant-based protein sources (i.e., nuts/seeds, beans, and 
peas) in the meat, poultry, or fish staple food category. Under current 
Agency policy such products (i.e., nuts/seeds, beans, and peas) are 
counted as varieties in the vegetable or fruits staple food category. 
Under this final rule beans and peas may only be counted once each as a 
variety in the meat, poultry, or fish staple food category or once each 
as a variety in the vegetables or fruits staple food category while 
nuts/seeds may only be counted once as a variety in the meat, poultry, 
or fish staple food category. This change is in keeping with the 
nutritional guidance of USDA's MyPlate, which clarifies that, while 
beans and peas belong to both the protein foods group and the vegetable 
group, nuts/seeds are only considered to belong to the protein foods 
group. This means that if a store stocked one jar of peanut butter, one 
bag of almonds, and one bag of sunflower seeds, this would be 
considered three stocking units of one variety (i.e., nuts/seeds) which 
could be counted towards breadth of stock in the meat, poultry, or fish 
staple food category. In this example, additional units of these or 
other nut/seed products (e.g., three bags of walnuts) would not further 
be counted as additional varieties in the meat, poultry, or fish staple 
food category. This also means that if a firm stocked three bags of 
dried kidney beans (i.e., beans) and three bags of dried black eyed 
peas (i.e., peas), then these products would be counted as two 
varieties towards the breadth of stock in the meat, poultry, or fish 
staple food category or in the vegetables or fruits staple food 
category. Beans and peas can each only be counted once as variety in 
either the meat, poultry, or fish staple food category or in the 
vegetables or fruits staple food category. This means that if a firm 
stocked three bags of dried kidney beans, three bags of dried black 
beans, and three bags of dried pinto beans, then these products could 
only be counted as one variety (i.e., beans) in either the meat, 
poultry, or fish staple food category or in the vegetables or fruits 
staple food category. Likewise, three bags of dried black-eyed peas, 
three bags of dried split peas, and three bags of dried lentils could 
only be counted as one variety (i.e., peas) in either the meat, 
poultry, or fish staple food category or in the vegetables or fruits 
staple food category. These varieties may not individually be split 
between staple food categories. This is a departure from the way in 
which ``variety'' is traditionally defined (i.e., by main ingredient 
and/or product kind). The reason for this unique exception is that 
these plant-based proteins are being added to the meat, poultry, or 
fish staple food category in order to supplement, not supplant, the 
animal-based proteins for which the category is named. Under this 
provision firms will not be able meet the breadth of stock requirement 
for the meat, poultry, or fish staple food category by stocking seven 
kinds of nuts/seeds, peas, and/or beans, each of these may only be 
counted once.
    Plant-based meat substitutes or analogues, marketed as vegetarian 
or vegan alternatives to meat, will also be counted as varieties in the 
meat, poultry, or fish staple food. Varieties of such meat analogues 
may include, but are not limited to, mycoprotein-based meat analogues, 
soy-based meat analogues (e.g., tofu or tempeh) and gluten-based meat 
analogues (e.g., seitan). For such meat analogues variety is assigned 
in the traditional way (i.e., by main ingredient and by product kind). 
This means that if a firm stocked three packages of tofu this would be 
considered one staple variety counting toward the breadth of stock in 
the meal, poultry, or fish staple food category. In this example, 
additional units of this or other soy-based meat analogues (e.g., three 
bags of textured soy protein or three boxes of soy-based vegan hot 
dogs) would not further be counted as additional varieties in the meat, 
poultry, or fish staple food category. None of these or any other meat 
analogues may be counted as a variety in any other staple food 
category.
    Even with the addition of these plant-based varieties into the 
meat, poultry, or fish staple food category it will be necessary for 
most firms to stock animal-based varieties to meet the breadth of stock 
requirement for the meat, poultry, or fish staple food category. For 
example, if a firm stocked five of the aforementioned plant-based 
varieties (e.g., three jars of peanut butter [nuts/seeds], three bags 
of dried black beans [beans], three bags of dried lentils [peas], three 
packages of tofu [soy-based meat analogue], and three packages of 
seitan [gluten-based meat analogue]), that firm would still be required 
to stock at least two more varieties in the meat, poultry, or fish 
staple food category (e.g., three dozen eggs, three packages of frozen 
chicken cutlets, and three packages of ham).
    These changes better align SNAP regulations with the nutritional 
guidance of USDA's MyPlate, help to ease the burden of compliance on 
retail food stores, and serve to increase the availability of healthy 
food options for low-income Americans.
    Some governmental, medical, and advocate commenters believed that 
additional restrictions should be placed on these required varieties to 
ensure that a certain number of healthy options were available. For 
example, two city health departments, one noted earlier as representing 
a city of 8.5 million, and another representing a city of over 1.5 
million containing over 2,300 SNAP authorized firms, argued that, 
within each staple food category, certain kinds of healthy varieties 
should be mandated by FNS. Examples of such healthy varieties included 
low-fat dairy, lean meat, fresh vegetables, and whole grain breads. 
While FNS does agree with the commenters that argued that such changes 
would likely increase healthful

[[Page 90691]]

options for SNAP participants, the Agency believes that incorporating 
such additional enhancements to this provision could be overly 
burdensome on retailers.
    Other commenters suggested that variety shortfalls in one or more 
staple food categories should be allowed to be covered with additional 
varieties of fruits or vegetables (e.g., a store may stock only five 
varieties of dairy but nine varieties of fruits and vegetables). While 
the Agency supports changes that would encourage firms to stock more 
nutritious products, including fresh fruit and vegetable products, such 
a change would run counter to statutory requirements of the 2014 Farm 
Bill that a retailer offer for sale ``a variety of at least 7 foods in 
each of the 4 categories of staple foods'' and exceeds the Agency's 
statutory authority.
    Some commenters who supported the proposed provision pointed out 
that a lax definition of ``variety'' would allow stores to skirt 
variety requirements by stocking seven different formats of one or two 
kinds of products with the same main ingredient. If a lax definition of 
``variety'' were implemented, for example, the variety requirement for 
the vegetables or fruits staple food category could be satisfied by 
frozen French fries, powdered mashed potatoes, frozen hash browns, 
potato chips, canned cream of potato soup, frozen tater tots, and 
potatoes. FNS concurs with these concerns and will not be altering the 
proposed definition of ``variety'' to allow for different formats of 
products with the same main ingredient to count as different varieties.
    Under both current Agency regulations and the final rule, 
``variety'' is generally defined by product kind or main ingredient for 
the meat, poultry, or fish and vegetables or fruits staple food 
categories. This means that chicken, pork, and beef each represent 
discrete varieties for the former category and that apple, banana, and 
lettuce each represent discrete varieties for the latter category. 
Products like Empire apples and McIntosh apples may have different 
names and slightly different appearances, but they are generally 
recognized as the same kind of product. For this reason both Empire 
apples and McIntosh would be not each be considered a discrete variety, 
but rather the discrete variety is the product kind itself--apples. 
Likewise although apples, 100% apple juice, and applesauce are 
different products, they would not each be considered a discrete 
variety for the purposes of SNAP Criterion A because they share the 
same main ingredient (i.e., apples). Similarly, although deli-sliced 
chicken breast, frozen chicken drumsticks, and canned chicken are 
different products, they would not each be considered a discrete 
variety for the purposes of SNAP Criterion A because they share the 
same main ingredient (i.e., chicken). For multiple ingredient food 
products the first ingredient determines variety such that a frozen 
microwaveable meal with beef listed as the first ingredient would 
constitute a variety in the meat, poultry, or fish staple food category 
(i.e., beef) and a can of ravioli with tomato sauce listed as the first 
ingredient would constitute a variety in the vegetables or fruits 
staple food category (i.e., tomato). Most bread or cereals food items 
sold and consumed in America primarily derive from one or more of the 
following four grains: Wheat, corn, rice, and/or oats. Based on the 
limited types of grains and the new breadth of stock requirements, FNS 
believes it is impractical to strictly define ``variety'' for the 
purposes of this staple food category by the aforementioned method 
(i.e., product kind and main ingredient), as is the standard for two of 
the other staple food categories. As a result, in the bread or cereals 
staple food category variety is defined by product kind (i.e., bread 
and other baked or finished grain-based products) or main ingredient 
(e.g., wheat and oats) as described in Part IV List of Examples below.
    Numerous commenters requested additional Agency guidance on what 
constituted a variety for each of the four staple food categories. In 
response, a list of examples in Section IV is included in the preamble 
of the final rule; this list provides 20 examples of varieties in each 
of the four staple food categories and is intended to be illustrative, 
not exhaustive. Additionally, the examples listed in the proposed rule 
have been amended in the final rule to illustrate the intended 
flexibility for retailers. The changes made to the examples of 
varieties in the meat, poultry, or fish and the dairy products staple 
food categories reflect the inclusion of plant-based alternatives. 
``Plant-based'' milk has been, for example, removed as a listed example 
and replaced with almond milk to reflect the inclusion of multiple 
varieties of plant-based milks (e.g., almond milk, soy milk, and rice 
milk) in the dairy products staple food category. Additionally, the 
example ``melon'' was removed and replaced with grapes as melon is not 
considered a product kind under the definition of ``variety'' but 
instead includes several discrete varieties (e.g., honeydew and 
cantaloupe). Likewise, ``breakfast cereal'' was removed and replaced 
with ``rice'' because the former is not a product kind but instead 
includes several discrete varieties (e.g., rice-based breakfast cereal 
and oat-based breakfast cereal).
    After review of all comments on this provision, this final rule has 
largely retained the long-standing Agency definition of ``variety'' 
and, as described above, modifies the definition of ``variety'' to 
allow retailers more flexibility in meeting the breadth of stock 
provision in the dairy, bread and cereals, and meat, poultry, and fish 
staple food categories. This provision will be implemented for all new 
applicant firms and all firms eligible for reinstatement 120 days after 
the effective date of this final rule and 365 days after the effective 
date of this final rule for all currently authorized firms.

Public Disclosure of Firms Sanctioned for SNAP Violations

    This discretionary provision proposed to reaffirm the Agency's 
authority and intent to publicly disclose the store and owner name for 
firms sanctioned for SNAP violations. This provision received few 
comments most of which were supportive. Of the total 1,260 germane and 
non-duplicative public comments received, 14 comments, or about 1% of 
total public comments, specifically addressed this provision. About 71% 
of comments that specifically addressed this provision were supportive 
while approximately 14% opposed this provision and approximately 14% 
were generally divided and/or expressed mixed opinions. No retailer 
commenters specifically opposed this provision, industry trade groups 
that commented specifically on this provision generally opposed this 
provision and all other commenter types that commented on this 
provision were generally supportive.
    Three retailer associations (i.e., the international convenience 
store trade association, the petroleum marketers' trade association, 
and the national food retailer trade association) opposed the 
disclosure of this information. One noted that it, ``. . . does not 
believe that the name of a store owner should be disclosed if the owner 
name identifies an individual in the store. [Our] members believe that 
the owner name disclosure is unnecessary and could lead to mental and 
emotional harm to the owner'' and went on to add, ``FNS should also 
consider and take into consideration the seriousness of the sanctions 
imposed and whether there have been multiple violations. Publicizing a 
store owner's private information for a first time sanction that may 
have resulted from an inadvertent

[[Page 90692]]

violation is unreasonable and clearly extreme.'' Another of these three 
associations commented, ``There is no provision of the proposed rule, 
however, that would allow for sanction information to be taken down 
after the passage of a certain amount of time or in the event a store 
was sold to another owner or placed under new management.'' A fourth 
retailer association representing independent grocers seconded this 
final point and stated the group, ``. . . is not opposed to public 
disclosure of disqualified retailers who have engaged in fraudulent 
activity after the appeals process has been exhausted; however [the 
organization] encourages the Agency to remove or amend the public 
notice when a store is sold so the new owners are not harmed by this 
disclosure.''
    One State welfare fraud investigator association commented, ``We 
believe the proposed rule changes (increasing the minimum number of 
categories in which perishable goods are required, amending the depth 
of stock, redefining `Retail Food Store' to exclude restaurants, and, 
particularly, disclosing information about retailers who have violated 
SNAP rules) would serve to deter fraud.'' A city health department 
representing the large city of 8.5 million and over 10,000 SNAP 
authorized firms also stated that this provision will ``increase 
integrity efforts against fraud, waste, and abuse in SNAP''.
    FNS closely monitors retailers to ensure that they comply with 
Program rules and regulations. FNS may warn or sanction retailers found 
violating Program rules. Sanctions can include time-limited or 
permanent Program disqualification as well as civil penalties. This 
provision is an essential tool in Agency efforts to combat and deter 
Program fraud and abuse. For example, the names of retail stores and 
owners whom have been charged, indicted, or convicted for SNAP retailer 
fraud by federal, state or local authorities are already disclosed 
publicly through news releases and other means. This provision 
reaffirms FNS' authority and intent to disclose the store and owner 
name for firms sanctioned for SNAP violations. In response to the 
suggestion that encourages the Agency to remove or amend the public 
notice when a store is sold so the new owners are not harmed by this 
disclosure, FNS believes that the public disclosure of both the retail 
store name and the owner who had been sanctioned would mitigate the 
potential harm to a new store owner.
    FNS, however, acknowledges the concerns of these commenters. As a 
result, FNS has clarified and narrowed this provision in the final 
rule. Specifically, the final rule stipulates that information 
regarding firms sanctioned for SNAP violations will be disclosed by FNS 
only for the duration of the sanction. Firms sanctioned for lesser 
offenses (e.g., sale of minor ineligibles) may face term 
disqualifications as short as six months. FNS agrees that making the 
owner and store name of such firms indefinitely available to the public 
is neither necessary nor is it judicious. This provision has been 
modified such that FNS may disclose the name and address of the store, 
the owner names(s), and information about the sanction itself for the 
duration of the sanction. The duration of the sanction lasts until the 
period of disqualification ends or until the civil penalty has been 
paid in full, whichever is longer. Additionally, this provision has 
also been modified such that in the event that a sanctioned firm is 
assigned a civil penalty in lieu of a period of disqualification, as 
described in 7 CFR 278.6(a), FNS may continue to disclose this 
information for as long as the duration of the period of 
disqualification or until the civil penalty has been paid in full, 
whichever is longer. The information regarding firms sanctioned with 
permanent disqualification for offenses such as the trafficking SNAP 
benefits should and will be made publicly available for the duration of 
the disqualification (i.e., indefinitely). Program violations that 
result in a permanent disqualification are serious offenses and the 
Agency is dedicated to fighting Program fraud and abuse in all forms. 
FNS agrees with the comments from governmental entities that the public 
disclosure of the owner and store name of firms that violate Program 
rules is a powerful deterrent to retailer SNAP fraud. This provision 
will be implemented on the effective date of this final rule.

IV. List of Examples

Summary of List of Examples

    The final rule codifies a statutory provision to increase the 
required number of staple food varieties in each of the four staple 
food categories from three to seven and to increase the required number 
of staple food categories containing at least one perishable foods 
variety from two to three, where ``perishable foods'' are defined as 
items which are either frozen, fresh, unrefrigerated, or refrigerated 
staple food items that will spoil or suffer significant deterioration 
in quality within three weeks. The final rule also codifies a 
discretionary provision which clarifies and modifies the definition of 
acceptable ``variety'' in each of the four staple food categories.
    Included below are lists of acceptable varieties in the four staple 
food categories. Also included is an examination of what constitutes a 
stocking unit for the purposes of the depth of stock provision. 
Finally, included is a list of food items which are and are not 
considered accessory food items. The lists of examples that follow are 
intended to be illustrative and provide guidance on the final rule. 
What follows is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of staple 
food varieties, stocking units, or accessory food items.

The Meat, Poultry, or Fish Staple Food Category

    In the meat, poultry, or fish staple food category ``variety'' is 
generally defined by product kind or main ingredient. This means that 
chicken, pork, and beef each represent discrete varieties. For multiple 
ingredient food products the first ingredient determines variety such 
that a frozen microwaveable meal with beef listed as the first 
ingredient would constitute a variety in the meat, poultry, or fish 
staple food category (i.e., beef).
    This list of examples serves to provide guidance on acceptable 
varieties in the meat, poultry, or fish staple food category. The meat, 
poultry, or fish staple food category now includes varieties of meat 
analogues (e.g., soy-based meat analogue and gluten-based meat 
analogue). The meat, poultry, or fish staple food category also now 
includes three types of plant-based protein staple foods (i.e., nuts/
seeds, beans, and peas). Each of these three aforementioned plant-based 
protein types may only be counted once each as a variety in the meat, 
poultry, or fish staple food category. Alternatively, beans and peas 
may instead be counted once each as a variety in vegetables or fruits 
staple food category. These two types (i.e., beans and peas) may only 
be counted once each regardless of the staple food category they are 
counted in. Nuts/seeds may only be counted once as a variety in the 
meat, poultry, or fish staple food category, but not in the vegetable 
or fruits staple food category.
    What follows is an illustrative, but not exhaustive, list of 20 
acceptable varieties in this staple food category. Included 
parenthetically with each variety are two different examples of food 
items which would usually fall within that variety. The examples of 
multiple ingredient food items in this list would be acceptable only if 
the listed main ingredient would be

[[Page 90693]]

considered a variety in the meat, poultry, or fish staple category. 
Perishable foods are indicated by the presence of an asterisk (*).

Plant-based Protein Types:
    1. Nuts/Seeds (e.g., sunflower seeds or peanut butter)
    2. Beans (e.g., dried black beans or dried red kidney beans)
    3. Peas (e.g., dried lentils or canned split pea soup with a first 
listed ingredient of split peas)
Meat, Poultry, and Fish:
    4. Turkey (e.g., fresh deli sliced turkey* or fresh ground turkey*)
    5. Goat (e.g., fresh goat chops* or frozen rack of goat ribs*)
    6. Salmon (e.g., packaged smoked salmon or canned salmon)
    7. Chicken (e.g., fresh chicken cutlets* or frozen chicken 
nuggets*)
    8. Beef (e.g., fresh ground beef* or beef jerky)
    9. Tuna (e.g., fresh albacore tuna steak* or canned albacore tuna 
fish)
    10. Shrimp (e.g., frozen shrimp scampi meal* or fresh cocktail 
shrimp*)
    11. Tilapia (e.g., fresh tilapia filet* or panko breaded frozen 
tilapia meal*)
    12. Crab (e.g., fresh crab cakes* or canned crab meat)
    13. Soy-based meat analogue (e.g., tofu* or soy-based vegan chicken 
alternative*)
    14. Chicken eggs (e.g., fresh eggs* or liquid egg whites*)
    15. Catfish (e.g., frozen catfish filet* or smoked packaged 
catfish)
    16. Lamb/Mutton (e.g., fresh lamb chops* or fresh ground lamb*)
    17. Cod (e.g., frozen cod* or fresh cod*)
    18. Pork (e.g., pork loin* or fresh sliced ham*)
    19. Duck (e.g., fresh duck* or canned duck)
    20. Clams (e.g., frozen clams* or canned clam meat)

The Vegetables or Fruits Staple Food Category

    In the vegetables or fruits staple food category ``variety'' is 
generally defined by product kind or main ingredient. This means that 
apples, bananas, and lettuce each represent discrete varieties. For 
multiple ingredient food products the first ingredient determines 
variety such that a can of ravioli with tomato sauce listed as the 
first ingredient would constitute a variety in the vegetables or fruits 
staple food category (i.e., tomato).
    What follows is an illustrative, but not exhaustive, list of 20 
acceptable varieties in this staple food category. Included 
parenthetically with each variety are two different examples of food 
items which would usually fall within that variety. The multiple 
ingredient food item examples in this list would be acceptable only if 
the main ingredient is in the vegetables or fruits staple category. 
Perishable foods are indicated by the presence of an asterisk (*).

1. Potatoes (potatoes* or frozen tater tots*)
2. Oranges (100% orange juice* or fresh oranges*)
3. Tomatoes (canned tomato soup or sun dried tomatoes)
4. Apples (dried apples or pre-cut apple go-packs*)
5. Pumpkin (canned pumpkin or fresh whole pumpkin)
6. Bananas (fresh bananas* or frozen bananas*)
7. Onions (canned onions or fresh onions*)
8. Grapes (fresh grapes* or 100% grape juice)
9. Lettuce (fresh head of iceberg lettuce* or pre-cut and bagged 
romaine lettuce*)
10. Pineapples (canned pineapple rings or fresh whole pineapple*)
11. Cucumbers (fresh cucumbers* or jarred pickles)
12. Strawberries (fresh strawberries* or frozen strawberries*)
13. Peaches (canned peaches or fresh peaches*)
14. Carrots (fresh whole carrots* or pre-cut carrot stick go-packs*)
15. Grapefruit (fresh whole grapefruit* or grapefruit fruit cup*)
16. Cabbage (e.g., fresh head of cabbage* or jarred kimchi)
17. Artichoke (e.g., fresh artichoke* or canned artichoke hearts)
18. Broccoli (e.g., fresh broccoli* or frozen broccoli florets*)
19. Avocados (e.g., ready-made guacamole* or fresh avocado*)
20. Celery (e.g., pre-cut celery stick go-packs* or fresh whole 
celery*)

The Dairy Staple Food Category

    In common language usage a ``dairy product'' is understood to mean 
an edible food product produced from the milk of a mammal, most 
commonly cow's milk. Some traditional varieties of dairy include milk, 
butter, yogurt, and cheese. There are a small number of unique 
varieties of commonplace dairy products, most of which share the same 
main ingredient (i.e., milk). Based on the limited types of commonplace 
dairy products and the new breadth of stock requirements, it is 
impractical to define ``variety'' for the purposes of this staple food 
category based on the main ingredient and it is useful to include 
plant-based alternatives. Plant-based dairy products will be considered 
a variety in the dairy products staple food category based on their 
main ingredient and the traditional dairy product for which they are a 
substitute. So, for example, almond-based milk, soy-based milk, almond-
based cheese, and soy-based cheese will each be considered a discrete 
variety in the dairy products staple food category under the final 
rule. Though these items are plant-based, they are recognized as dairy 
equivalents and therefore, do not count as varieties in the remaining 
staple food categories. Additionally, some of the traditional types of 
dairy products have been divided into varieties based on distinct and 
generally accepted differences. For example, the dairy type cheese has 
been divided into two discrete varieties: Cow's milk-based soft cheese 
and cow's milk-based hard/firm cheese based on generally accepted 
industry norms. What follows is an illustrative, but not exhaustive, 
list of 20 acceptable varieties in this staple food category. Included 
parenthetically with each variety are two different examples of food 
items which would usually fall within that variety. The multiple 
ingredient food item examples in this list would be acceptable only if 
the main ingredient is in the dairy products staple category. 
Perishable foods are indicated by the presence of an asterisk (*).

1. Yogurt (e.g., fresh whole milk French vanilla yogurt* or fresh 
nonfat peach yogurt*)
2. Soy yogurt (e.g., strawberry soy yogurt* or lite vanilla soy 
yogurt*)
3. Almond yogurt (e.g., mixed berry almond yogurt* or low-fat plain 
almond yogurt*)
4. Perishable cow milk (e.g., fresh skim cow milk* or fresh whole cow 
milk*)
5. Perishable cow kefir (e.g., nonfat fresh blueberry kefir* or fresh 
banana kefir*)
6. Shelf-stable liquid cow milk (e.g., condensed cow milk or evaporated 
cow milk)
7. Shelf-stable powdered cow milk (e.g., powdered cow milk or casein/
whey powder)
8. Cow milk-based infant formula (e.g., organic, milk-based formula or 
milk-based, iron-fortified formula)
9. Soy-based infant formula (e.g., iron-fortified, soy-based formula or 
hypoallergenic, soy-based formula)
10. Butter (e.g., frozen sweet cream butter* or fresh salted butter*)
11. Butter substitute (e.g., margarine or non-dairy spread)
12. Sour cream (e.g., fresh, lite sour cream* or fresh, organic sour 
cream*)

[[Page 90694]]

13. Almond-based milk (e.g., refrigerated almond milk* or shelf-stable 
almond milk)
14. Soy-based milk (e.g., shelf-stable soy milk or refrigerated soy 
milk*)
15. Rice-based milk (e.g., shelf-stable rice milk or refrigerated rice 
milk*)
16. Firm/hard cheese (e.g., fresh deli sliced cheddar cheese* or 
packaged grated parmesan cheese)
17. Soft cheese (e.g., fresh curd cheese* or pre-wrapped American 
cheese product slices*)
18. Goat cheese (e.g., fresh honey goat cheese* or fresh plain goat 
cheese*)
19. Soy-based cheese alternative (e.g., mozzarella-style soy cheese* or 
American-style soy cheese slices*)
20. Perishable goat milk (e.g., fresh whole goat milk* or fresh low-fat 
goat milk*)

The Bread or Cereals Staple Food Category

    Most bread or cereals food items sold and consumed in America 
primarily derive from one of the following four grains: Wheat, corn, 
rice, and/or oats. Based on the limited types of common grains and the 
new breadth of stock requirements, therefore, it is impractical to 
define ``variety'' for the purposes of this staple food category based 
exclusively on the product kind or exclusively on the main ingredient, 
as is the standard for two of the other staple food categories.
    What follows is an illustrative, but not exhaustive, list of 20 
acceptable varieties in this staple food category. Included 
parenthetically with each variety are two different examples of food 
items which would usually fall within that variety. The multi-
ingredient food examples in this list would be acceptable only if the 
main ingredient is in the bread or cereal staple category. Perishable 
foods are indicated by the presence of an asterisk (*).

1. Wheat (e.g., whole wheat flour or wheat germ)
2. Corn/maize (e.g., cornmeal or cornbread)
3. Rice (e.g., brown rice or basmati rice)
4. Oats (e.g., oatmeal or honey oat bread*)
5. Barley (e.g., pearled barley or barley meal)
6. Rye (e.g., raw rye or rye bread*)
7. Millet (e.g., millet flour or raw millet)
8. Quinoa (e.g., raw quinoa or quinoa pasta)
9. Teff (e.g., raw teff or injera*)
10. Bread (e.g., a loaf of rye bread* or a loaf of multigrain bread*)
11. Pasta (e.g., gluten-free spaghetti or whole wheat rotini)
12. Baking mixes (e.g., pancake mix or cornbread mix)
13. Tortillas (e.g., corn tortillas* or flour tortillas*)
14. Bagels (e.g., poppy seed bagels* or plain bagels*)
15. Pitas (e.g., low-carb pita* or whole wheat pita*)
16. Cold breakfast cereal (e.g., rice-based cereal or oat-based cereal)
17. English muffins (e.g., whole wheat English muffins* or honey oat 
English muffins*)
18. Hot breakfast cereal (e.g., cream of wheat or farina)
19. Buns/rolls (e.g., frozen dinner rolls* or hot dog buns*)
20. Infant cereal (e.g., wheat-based infant cereal or oat-based infant 
cereal)

    As an example, a firm could meet the requirements for the bread or 
cereals staple food category by stocking three loaves of bread, three 
bags of rice, three boxes of spaghetti, three bags of pitas, three bags 
of tortillas, three bags of flour and three packages of cornmeal.

Stocking Units

    The proposed rule put forward a discretionary provision requiring 
six stocking units per qualifying staple food variety. The final rule 
halves that proposed requirement and codifies a discretionary provision 
that requires three stocking units per qualifying staple food variety. 
This list of examples serves to define ``stocking unit'' for the 
purposes of this provision. If a food item would not usually be sold 
individually, then it does not individually constitute a stocking unit. 
Such food items are usually sold in bunches, boxes, bags, or packages 
with a number of other identical items (e.g., a loaf of bread, a bunch 
of grapes, a carton of eggs, a bag of rice, or a package of sliced 
turkey). The individual sale of such food items would be impractical 
given their small individual size. For such products it is the bunch, 
box, bag, or package that represents one stocking unit. What follows is 
an illustrative, but not exhaustive, list of such products and their 
standard stocking unit size.

 Small fruit and berries: A package of blueberries or a package 
of strawberries
 Leaf vegetables: A head of lettuce or a bunch of collard green 
leaves
 Stalk/root vegetables: A bunch of carrots or a bunch of celery 
sticks
 Deli sliced items: A package of turkey slices or a package of 
cheddar cheese slices
 Grains: A bag or sack of rice or a box of oatmeal

    If a food item is usually or often sold singly, then that single 
unit may constitute one stocking unit. What follows is an illustrative, 
but not exhaustive, list of such products and their standard stocking 
unit sizes:

 Hand fruit: A banana or an apple
 Large fruits or vegetables: A watermelon or a pumpkin
 Small portion or single-serving packages: A yogurt cup or a 
fruit cup

    If a food item (e.g., grains, dried fruits, nuts, deli cold cuts, 
etc.) is stored singly in a common container or unit, but sold to 
customers by weight, then the standard stocking unit is considered to 
be one pound. A bulk container containing three pounds of dried 
cranberries, available to and sold to the customer by weight, 
therefore, would constitute three stocking units of one variety in the 
fruit or vegetable staple food category.
    If FNS determines that a bunch, box, bag, or package usually sold 
as a unit has been subdivided into unreasonably small units in order to 
meet this depth of stock provision, FNS will not consider such food 
items to constitute a stocking unit for the purposes of this depth of 
stock provision.

V. List of Accessory Food Items and Examples of Staple Food Items

Accessory Food Items

    The final rule codifies a discretionary provision which clarifies 
the definition of ``staple food''. This provision realigns the 
definition of ``accessory food items'' with statutory intent, defining 
``accessory food items'' to include snacks, desserts, and foods that 
complement or supplement meals.
    While any food or food product intended for home consumption is 
generally considered to be eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits, 
only staple food products are counted toward a retail food store's 
eligibility to participate in SNAP. Staple foods are generally 
considered to be basic items of food 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. Some examples include tomatoes, ground 
beef, milk, or rice. Accessory food items, on the other hand, are 
generally considered to be food items consumed as snacks or desserts as 
well as food items that complement or supplement meals, such as most 
beverages and spices.
    A product is often considered an accessory food item if it is 
usually consumed on its own, usually as a snack or dessert, without 
being cooked or prepared (e.g., potato chips or an ice-cream sandwich). 
Products that are explicitly identified as staple foods, such as hand 
fruit, are not considered

[[Page 90695]]

accessory foods even if they are sometimes consumed on their own 
without being cooked or prepared. A product is also often considered an 
accessory food item if it is usually used to flavor other foods (e.g., 
salt or sugar) or if it is a beverage (e.g., soda pop or water). If a 
product would normally be considered a staple food, but is sold in a 
small package size (e.g., a small bag of dried apricots or a yogurt 
cup), that product is still generally considered a staple food.
    Commercially processed foods and prepared mixtures with multiple 
ingredients are usually assigned to the staple food category of their 
main ingredient on their ``Nutrition Facts'' label per current 
regulations and policy. For example, a frozen pizza with enriched white 
wheat flour listed as its main ingredient would be considered a staple 
food variety in the bread or cereals staple food category. If the main 
ingredient of a multiple ingredient food item is an accessory food item 
(e.g., salt), then that multiple ingredient food item is considered an 
accessory food item. The one exception to this policy is the accessory 
food item water. If the main ingredient of a multiple ingredient food 
item is water, then that item is assigned to the staple food category 
of its second listed ingredient. If that second ingredient is also an 
accessory food item (e.g., sugar) then that item is considered an 
accessory food item.
    All food products identified as accessory food items in Agency 
guidance materials shall not be considered staple foods for the 
purposes of determining the eligibility of any firm. Any food products 
with main ingredients identified as accessory food items in Agency 
guidance shall also be considered accessory food items and shall not be 
considered staple foods for the purposes of determining the eligibility 
of any firm. Any other food product that is not identified as an 
accessory food item in Agency guidance materials shall be considered a 
staple food in the category of its main ingredient. Agency guidance 
that explicitly identifies types of accessory food items will be 
updated as necessary per 7 CFR 278.1(t). If a retail food store owner 
is unsure as to whether a food item is or is not an accessory food 
item, they may look online for guidance through the USDA FNS's Ask the 
Expert system at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/ask-the-expert (--> 
``Nutrition'' --> ``Supplemental Nutrition Asst Prgm''). Additional 
training for retail food store owners will be made available to further 
clarify this matter as deemed necessary.
    What follows is a list of accessory food items; any product not 
listed below or in future Agency guidance will be considered a staple 
food, as explained above, provided that its main ingredient is 
considered a variety in the staple food category.

Snack and Dessert Food Items:
     Potato, corn, wheat, tortilla, pita, and vegetable chips, 
crisps, sticks, and straws; onion ring snacks; corn nuts; snack mixes; 
crackers; pork rinds; pretzels; pre-popped or un-popped popcorn; and 
cheese puffs or curls
     Doughnuts, cupcakes, cookies, snack cakes, muffins, 
pastries, sweet rolls, pies, cakes, pudding, churros, scones, gelatin 
desserts, and any packaged mixes intended to create any of the 
aforementioned products
     Mints, chocolate, marshmallow, gum, toffee, brittle, 
fudge, marzipan, nougat, candy bars, and candy of all kinds
     Ice cream, ice milk, frozen yogurt, custard, whipped 
cream, sherbet, sorbet, gelato, granita, Italian ices, frozen 
carbonated beverages, snow cones, and ice pops
     Any food product with a main ingredient that appears on 
this list or in Agency guidance as an accessory food item
Food Items That Complement or Supplement Meals:
     Powdered, dried, or extracted spices or seasonings
     Baking soda and baking powder
     Sugar, honey, maple syrup, aspartame, molasses, high 
fructose corn syrup, and any other natural or artificial sweeteners
     Soda pop, sports or energy drinks, iced tea, fruit punch, 
mixers for alcoholic beverages, water, and all other carbonated or 
uncarbonated beverages (except milk, plant-based milk alternatives, and 
100% fruit or vegetable juice)
     Monosodium glutamate, sodium nitrate, olestra, and any 
other food additives or any food product that is edible but non-caloric 
and non-digestible
     Vegetable oil, olive oil, shortening, lard, safflower oil, 
and any other solid or liquid oils or fats (except butter)
     Ketchup, mayonnaise, salad dressing, hot sauce, mustard, 
vinegar, relish, horseradish, chutney, duck sauce, marmite, and all 
other condiments
     Vanilla extract or other flavor extracts and cooking wine
     Gravy and bouillon
     Any food product with a main ingredient that appears on 
this list or in Agency guidance as an accessory food item

    Some mixed packaged food products may consist of more than one 
discrete element, such as salted crackers and soft cream cheese 
packaged together. In this example, the salted crackers are considered 
an accessory food while the soft cream cheese is considered a staple 
food. If the accessory food item is the main component of the mixed 
packaged food product, per the ingredients list on the Nutrition Facts 
label, then such a product is considered an accessory food item. If the 
staple food item is the main component of the mixed packaged food 
product, per the ingredients list on the Nutrition Facts label, then 
such a product is considered a staple food item.
    The definition of ``accessory food items'', however, is not based 
on packaging size or style, nor does it include food items identified 
in any of the four staple food categories. What follows is an 
illustrative, but not exhaustive, list of staple food items NOT 
considered accessory food items; any product not listed below will be 
considered a staple food in the staple food category of its main 
ingredient as explained previously.

Examples of Staple Foods:
     Commercially processed foods and prepared mixtures with 
multiple ingredients with a staple food main ingredient
     Pre-cut, to-go packages or cups of fresh apple, carrot, 
grapefruit, celery, or other fruits or vegetables
     Single-serving yogurt cups containing or not containing 
fruit, with a staple food main ingredient
     Milk, flavored milk (e.g., chocolate milk), and plant-
based milk alternatives (e.g., soy milk), with a staple food main 
ingredient
     Yogurt and flavored yogurt (e.g., strawberry yogurt) with 
a staple food main ingredient
     Dehydrated, smoked, fermented, cured, or dried meats such 
as jerky or salami with a staple food main ingredient (e.g., beef or 
chicken)
     Peanut butter, strawberry jam, and other plant-based 
spreads with a staple food main ingredient
     Fresh vegetables often used as herbs including, but not 
limited to, fresh basil, fresh thyme, and fresh mint
     100% fruit and/or vegetable juice
     Salsa, hummus, guacamole, and other plant-based dips with 
a staple food main ingredient
     Pickled fruits, vegetables, eggs, or meats with a staple 
food main ingredient
     Single-serving packets of dried fruit

[[Page 90696]]

including, but not limited to, raisins, prunes, dried apples, and dried 
papaya spears, as well as dried vegetables
     To-go packages of nuts or seeds

VI. Procedural Matters

Executive Order 12866, Executive Order 13563, and Executive Order 13272

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health, and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). 
Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both 
cost and benefits, of reducing cost, of harmonizing rules, and of 
promoting flexibility. Finally, Executive Order 13272 and the Small 
Business Jobs Act of 2010 require agencies engaged in rulemaking 
actions to respond directly to written comments submitted by the Small 
Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy.
    The SBA Office of Advocacy submitted a comment in response to the 
proposed rule. This comment identified shortcomings in FNS's Regulatory 
Impact Analysis (RIA) and Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (RFA) and 
also conveyed the concerns of small business stakeholders regarding the 
RIA, RFA, and certain provisions of the rule as proposed. The SBA 
commented that the RIA and RFA lacked analytical rigor and 
transparency, and further maintained that the costs, benefits, and 
other impacts of the proposed rule were not sufficiently quantified in 
the RIA and RFA. Specifically, the SBA stated that the Agency's 
``conclusion that the rule's impact on small authorized SNAP retailers 
will amount to $140 is underestimated.'' Furthermore, the SBA indicated 
that FNS failed to consider alternatives adequately when drafting the 
proposed rule, especially with respect to a narrower rulemaking action 
that codified only the statutory breadth of stock provision. In 
response to these and other concerns FNS has carefully reexamined the 
proposed RIA and RFA. The final versions of these documents reflect 
substantial modifications made in order to incorporate the feedback of 
the SBA as well as industry trade associations. These changes address 
concerns regarding the consideration of alternatives and the 
calculation of the cost impact, among others.
    Additionally, in its comment the SBA suggested that ``FNS should 
commit to publishing small business compliance guides as this rule 
becomes finalized as it will help small businesses adapt to the new 
requirements.'' As stated previously in this final rule's section 
titled ``Retailer Guidance for Implementation of Final Rule,'' many 
Program stakeholders specifically requested that FNS provide retailers 
with detailed guidance and training materials on the rule to ensure 
that all retailers fully understand all of the provisions of the final 
rule. In addition to the clarifications and lists of examples provided 
in the preamble of the final rule, FNS will answer retailer inquiries 
and provide retailers with additional notice, guidance, and training 
materials during the aforementioned implementation period per 7 CFR 
278.1(t). This will include extensive outreach to ensure that the 
retailer community is provided with sufficient technical assistance to 
ensure that all firms are adequately informed regarding these changes 
to SNAP rules. The SBA also suggested that FNS should consider 
``granting increased compliance time for a percentage of small 
retailers.'' As stated previously in this final rule's section titled 
DATES, the stocking provisions of this final rule will be implemented 
365 days after the effective date of this final rule for all currently 
authorized firms. This phased implementation will give small format 
retailers the time they need to come into compliance with the 
provisions of this final rule.
    This final rule has been determined to be significant and was 
reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Regulatory 
Impact Analysis (RIA) for this rulemaking was published as part of the 
docket in Supporting Documents on www.regulations.gov. A summary of the 
RIA follows.

Regulatory Impact Analysis Summary

    Need for Action: The final rule is needed to clarify and enhance 
current regulations governing the eligibility of retail food stores 
participating in SNAP and to codify mandatory provisions of the 2014 
Farm Bill.
    Benefits: This final rulemaking will codify mandatory provisions of 
the 2014 Farm Bill and strengthen provisions in current regulations to 
conform to the intent of statutory requirements. The final rule will 
increase the variety of nutrient-dense staple food products offered for 
sale at SNAP-authorized firms, while also increasing the required depth 
of stock. Together, these provisions will help to ensure that SNAP 
households have access to healthier foods on a continuous basis. The 
final rule reflects the Agency's commitment to provide vital nutrition 
assistance to our most vulnerable citizens, protect taxpayer monies, 
and safeguard Program integrity. The final rule allows FNS to ensure 
that retailers authorized to participate in SNAP as retail food stores 
are consistent with the purposes of the Program. The final rule 
reinforces the intent of SNAP that participants use their benefits to 
purchase more nutritious foods intended for home preparation and 
consumption.
    Costs: There will be costs to the Federal government as a result of 
the final rule due to a short-term increase in store visits to ensure 
compliance with the new stocking requirements. The Agency has estimated 
the total cost to the Federal government as approximately $3.7 million 
in Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 and $15 million over five years. With respect 
to the cost impact to retailers, the rule would mainly impact those 
firms that are minimally stocked and those that are primarily 
restaurants and, therefore, are inconsistent with the statutory intent 
of the Act to make nutritious foods available to SNAP participants for 
home preparation and consumption. Some retailers may incur small costs 
due to the need to modify their stock. Estimates of the final rule's 
impacts on retailers are based on an analysis of a nationally 
representative sample of 1,392 SNAP authorized small-format firms using 
data gathered by FNS during store inspections, or store visits. Based 
on this analysis FNS estimates that the average small-format SNAP 
authorized firm already stocks over 70% of the stock needed to meet the 
requirements of this final rule and the average small-format SNAP 
authorized firm will only need to stock an additional 24 items. 
Moreover, this analysis indicated that over 98% of small-format SNAP 
authorized firms currently stock at least nine perishable staple food 
items and, therefore, that the overwhelming majority of small-format 
SNAP authorized firms will not need to stock any additional perishable 
items to meet the requirements in this final rule. The average cost to 
a small SNAP authorized retail food store is estimated at about $245 in 
the first year and about $620 over five years.
    Firms that do not stock sufficient staple food items to meet the 
new stocking requirements will have the opportunity to modify their 
staple food stock in order to be eligible to continue participating in 
SNAP. In the course of store reviews, FNS has observed that stores that 
are determined to not be eligible typically expand their food offerings 
to participate in SNAP.

[[Page 90697]]

    It should be noted that most of the provisions in this final rule 
have been modified significantly from their proposed language. This 
final rule, for example, requires less stock than the proposed rule 
(i.e., 168 item stock requirement proposed and 84 item stock required 
in the final rule). Nevertheless, the final average retailer cost 
estimate (about $245 in the first year and about $620 over five years 
per firm) represents an increase over the cost estimate presented in 
the proposed RIA and RFA (about $140 in the first year per firm). 
Several commenters pointed out types of costs, including ongoing costs, 
not originally accounted for in the Agency's cost estimate (e.g., 
``opportunity costs''). FNS appreciates this public feedback and has 
incorporated these types of costs in its calculations of estimated cost 
for the final rule's RIA and RFA.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This final rule has been reviewed with regard to the requirements 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601-612). Pursuant 
to that review, FNS believes that the rulemaking does not present a 
substantial economic impact to a considerable number of small 
businesses; although the number of stores impacted is large, we 
estimate that the cost to those small businesses for stocking 
additional stock would be nominal, on average about $245 in the first 
year and $620 over five years. FNS has prepared a final Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis (RFA) to respond to public comments received in 
reference to the proposed RFA and to reflect revisions to the rule. The 
complete RFA for this final rule was published as part of the docket in 
Supporting Documents on www.regulations.gov. A summary of the RFA 
follows.

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Statement

    This final rule will impact nearly 200,000 small grocery stores and 
convenience stores by requiring that these stores make changes to their 
stock in order to comply with the new minimum stocking requirement 
mandated in this rule. FNS estimates that for the vast majority of 
stores the changes needed will be minimal and represent a negligible 
share of a store's total gross sales. The average small store will need 
to add an estimated 24 items to their existing stock to meet the new 
minimum requirement in this rule. Costs would be greatest in the first 
year, as stores make one-time changes to their stock. In future years, 
costs will be primarily opportunity costs associated with stocking 
items with lower profit margins and administrative costs associated 
with reading guidance to ensure compliance with the requirements. The 
average cost to a SNAP-authorized retailer is estimated at about $245 
in the first year and $620 over five years.

Public Law 104-4, the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public 
Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the 
effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal 
governments, and the private sector. Under Section 202 of the UMRA, the 
Agency generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-
benefit analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal 
mandates'' that may result in expenditures to State, local, or Tribal 
governments in the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $146 million 
or more (when adjusted for 2015 inflation; GDP deflator source: Table 
1.1.9 at http://www.bea.gov/iTable) in any one year. When such a 
statement is needed for a rule, Section 205 of the UMRA generally 
requires the Agency to identify and consider a reasonable number of 
regulatory alternatives and adopt the least costly, more cost-
effective, or least burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives 
of the rule. This rule contains no Federal mandates (under the 
regulatory provisions of Title II of the UMRA) for State, local and 
Tribal governments or the private sector of $146 million or more in any 
one year. This rulemaking is, therefore, not subject to the 
requirements of Sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.

Executive Order 12372

    Executive Order 12372 requires Federal agencies to engage in 
intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials when 
involved in Federal financial assistance programs and direct Federal 
development. SNAP is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under No. 10.551. For the reasons set forth in the Final 
Rule codified in 7 CFR part 3015, Subpart V and related Notice (48 FR 
29115, June 24, 1983), this Program is excluded from the scope of 
Executive Order 12372.

Executive Order 13132, Federalism Summary Impact Statement

    Executive Order 13132 requires Federal agencies to consider the 
impact of their regulatory actions on State and local governments. 
Where such actions have Federalism implications, agencies are directed 
to provide a statement for inclusion in the preamble to the regulations 
describing the agencies' considerations in terms of the three 
categories called for under Section 6(b)(2)(B) of the Executive Order 
13132.
    FNS has determined that this rulemaking does not have Federalism 
implications. This rule does not impose substantial or direct 
compliance costs on State and local governments. Therefore, under 
Section 6(b) of the Executive Order, a Federalism summary impact 
statement is not required.

Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. This rule is intended to have preemptive effects with 
respect to any State or local laws, regulations, or policies which 
conflict with its provisions or which would otherwise impede its full 
implementation. This rule is not intended to have retroactive effects 
unless so specified in the Dates paragraph of the final rule. Prior to 
any judicial challenge to the provisions of the final rule or the 
application of its provisions, all applicable administrative procedures 
must be exhausted.

Executive Order 13175, Tribal Impact Statement

    This rule has been reviewed in accordance with the requirements of 
Executive Order 13175, ``Consultation and Coordination with Indian 
Tribal Governments.'' Executive Order 13175 requires Federal agencies 
to consult and coordinate with tribes on a government-to-government 
basis on policies that have tribal implications, including regulations, 
legislative comments or proposed legislation, and other policy 
statements or actions that have substantial direct effects on one or 
more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government 
and Indian tribes or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.
    Currently, FNS provides regularly scheduled quarterly information 
sessions as a venue for collaborative conversations with Tribal 
officials or their designees. Reports from these information sessions 
are part of the USDA annual reporting on Tribal consultation and 
collaboration.
    During the open comment period FNS received a letter from an Indian 
Tribal Organization (ITO). On September 28, 2016, the Food and 
Nutrition Service met with the Tribal Organization and 8 Tribes 
represented by this Organization to further discuss comments contained 
in this letter. FNS identified one (1) actionable comment, e.g. SNAP

[[Page 90698]]

eligibility should be considered circumstantially in areas with limited 
food access.
    The 2014 Farm Bill authorized additional consideration where an 
applicant retailer is located in an area with significantly limited 
access to food when determining the qualifications of that applicant. 
This flexibility of the rule was clarified during the meeting on 
September 28, to provide a deeper understanding of the agency's 
underlying rationale in implementing this program in this manner.
    If a Tribe requests consultation, the Food and Nutrition Service 
will work with the Office of Tribal Relations to ensure meaningful 
consultation is provided where changes, additions, and modifications 
identified herein are not expressly mandated by Congress.

USDA Regulation 4300-4, Civil Rights Impact Analysis

    FNS has reviewed this final rule in accordance with Departmental 
Regulations 4300-4, ``Civil Rights Impact Analysis'' (CRIA) and 1512-1, 
``Regulatory Decision Making Requirements'' to identify and address any 
major civil rights impacts the final rule might have on minorities, 
women, and persons with disabilities. This final rule enhances current 
regulations and codifies statutory requirements and, after a careful 
review of the final rule's intent and provisions, FNS has determined 
that this final rule will not have an adverse impact on any retail food 
store owners or SNAP recipients belonging to protected classes. The 
complete CRIA for this final rule was published as part of the docket 
in Supporting Documents on www.regulations.gov.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chap. 35; see 5 CFR 
part 1320) requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
approve all collections of information by a Federal agency from the 
public before they can be implemented. Respondents are not required to 
respond to any collection of information unless it displays a current 
valid OMB control number. There is no new information collection burden 
associated with this final rule.

E-Government Act Compliance

    FNS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to promote 
the use of the Internet and other information technologies to provide 
increased opportunities for citizen access to government information 
and services, and for other purposes. FNS intends to provide Program 
stakeholders with guidance and technical assistance materials related 
to this final rule utilizing online media. The Agency also intends to 
use online media to publicly disclose information regarding firms 
sanctioned for Program violations.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 271

    Food stamps, Grant programs--Social programs, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

7 CFR Part 278

    Claims, Disqualification, Financial institutions, Fines and 
penalties, Food stamps, Retail food stores, Wholesale food concerns.

    Accordingly, for reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR parts 271 
and 278 are amended as follows:

0
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR parts 271 and 278 continue to read 
as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2011-2036.

PART 271--GENERAL INFORMATION AND DEFINITIONS

0
2. In Sec.  [thinsp]271.2:
0
a. Add a definition for Firm in alphabetical order.
0
b. Revise paragraph (1) of the definition of Retail food store.
0
c. Revise the definition of Staple food.
    The addition and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  [thinsp]271.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Firm. (1) Firm means:
    (i) A retail food store that is authorized to accept or redeem SNAP 
benefits;
    (ii) A retail food store that is not authorized to accept or redeem 
SNAP benefits; or
    (iii) An entity that does not meet the definition of a retail food 
store.
    (2) For purposes of the regulations in this subchapter and SNAP 
policies, the terms firm, entity, retailer, and store are used 
interchangeably.
* * * * *
    Retail food store means:
    (1) An establishment or house-to-house trade route that sells food 
for home preparation and consumption normally displayed in a public 
area, and either offers for sale qualifying staple food items on a 
continuous basis, evidenced by having no fewer than seven different 
varieties of food items in each of the four staple food categories with 
a minimum depth of stock of three stocking units for each qualifying 
staple variety, including at least one variety of perishable foods in 
at least three such categories, (Criterion A) as set forth in Sec.  
278.1(b)(1) of this chapter, or has more than 50 percent of its total 
gross retail sales in staple foods (Criterion B) as set forth in Sec.  
278.1(b)(1) of this chapter as determined by visual inspection, 
marketing structure, business licenses, accessibility of food items 
offered for sale, purchase and sales records, counting of stockkeeping 
units, or other accounting recordkeeping methods that are customary or 
reasonable in the retail food industry as set forth in Sec.  
278.1(b)(1) of this chapter. Entities that have more than 50 percent of 
their total gross retail sales in: Food cooked or heated on-site by the 
retailer before or after purchase; and hot and/or cold prepared foods 
not intended for home preparation and consumption, including prepared 
foods that are consumed on the premises or sold for carry-out are not 
eligible for SNAP participation as retail food stores under Sec.  
278.1(b)(1) of this chapter. Establishments that include separate 
businesses that operate under one roof and share the following 
commonalities: Ownership, sale of similar foods, and shared inventory, 
are considered to be a single firm when determining eligibility to 
participate in SNAP as retail food stores.
* * * * *
    Staple food means those food items intended for home preparation 
and consumption in each of the following four categories: Meat, 
poultry, or fish; bread or cereals; vegetables or fruits; and dairy 
products. The meat, poultry, or fish staple food category also includes 
up to three types of plant-based protein sources (i.e., nuts/seeds, 
beans, and peas) as well as varieties of plant-based meat analogues 
(e.g., tofu). The dairy products staple food category also includes 
varieties of plant-based dairy alternative staple food items such as, 
but not limited to, almond milk and soy yogurt. Hot foods are not 
eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits and, therefore, do not qualify 
as staple foods for the purpose of determining eligibility under Sec.  
[thinsp]278.1(b)(1) of this chapter. Commercially processed foods and 
prepared mixtures with multiple ingredients that do not represent a 
single staple food category shall only be counted in one staple food 
category. For example, foods such as cold pizza, macaroni and cheese, 
multi-ingredient soup, or frozen dinners, shall only be counted as one 
staple food item and will be included in the staple food category of 
the main ingredient as determined by FNS. Accessory food items include 
foods that are generally considered snack foods or desserts such as, 
but not

[[Page 90699]]

limited to, chips, ice cream, crackers, cupcakes, cookies, popcorn, 
pastries, and candy, and other food items that complement or supplement 
meals, such as, but not limited to, coffee, tea, cocoa, carbonated and 
uncarbonated drinks, condiments, spices, salt, and sugar. Items shall 
not be classified as accessory food exclusively based on packaging size 
but rather based on the aforementioned definition and as determined by 
FNS. A food product containing an accessory food item as its main 
ingredient shall be considered an accessory food item. Accessory food 
items shall not be considered staple foods for purposes of determining 
the eligibility of any firm.
* * * * *

PART 278--PARTICIPATION OF RETAIL FOOD STORES WHOLESALE FOOD 
CONCERNS AND INSURED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

0
3. In Sec.  [thinsp]278.1:
0
a. Amend the last sentence in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A) by removing the 
word ``two'' and adding in its place the word ``three''.
0
b. Revise paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A);
0
c. Amend the first sentence in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B) by removing the 
word ``two'' and adding in its place the word ``three''.
0
d. Revise paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(C);
0
e. Revise the fourth sentence in paragraph (b)(1)(iv);
0
f. Redesignate paragraph (b)(6) as paragraph (b)(7);
0
g. Add new paragraph (b)(6).
0
h. Add paragraph (q)(5).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  [thinsp]278.1  Approval of retail food stores and wholesale food 
concerns.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (A) Offer for sale and normally display in a public area, 
qualifying staple food items on a continuous basis, evidenced by 
having, on any given day of operation, no fewer than seven different 
varieties of food items in each of the four staple food categories with 
a minimum depth of stock of three stocking units for each qualifying 
staple variety and at least one variety of perishable foods in at least 
three staple food categories. Documentation to determine if a firm 
stocks a sufficient amount of required staple foods to offer them for 
sale on a continuous basis may be required in cases where it is not 
clear that the firm has made reasonable stocking efforts to meet the 
stocking requirement. Such documentation can be achieved through 
verifying information, when requested by FNS, such as invoices and 
receipts in order to prove that the firm had ordered and/or received a 
sufficient amount of required staple foods up to 21 calendar days prior 
to the date of the store visit. Failure to provide verifying 
information related to stock when requested may result in denial or 
withdrawal of authorization. Failure to cooperate with store visits 
shall result in the denial or withdrawal of authorization.
* * * * *
    (C) Offer a variety of staple foods which means different types of 
foods within each staple food category. For example: Apples, cabbage, 
tomatoes, bananas, pumpkins, broccoli, and grapes in the vegetables or 
fruits category; or cow milk, almond milk, soy yogurt, soft cheese, 
butter, sour cream, and cow milk yogurt in the dairy products category; 
or rice, bagels, pitas, bread, pasta, oatmeal, and whole wheat flour in 
the bread or cereals category; or chicken, beans, nuts, beef, pork, 
eggs, and tuna in the meat, poultry, or fish category. Variety of foods 
is not to be interpreted as different brands, nutrient values (e.g., 
low sodium and lite), flavorings (e.g., vanilla and chocolate), 
packaging types or styles (e.g., canned and frozen) or package sizes of 
the same or similar foods. Similar food items such as, but not limited 
to, tomatoes and tomato juice, different types of rice, whole milk and 
skim milk, ground beef and beefsteak, or different types of apples 
(e.g., Empire, Jonagold, and McIntosh), shall count as depth of stock 
but shall not each be counted as more than one staple food variety for 
the purpose of determining the number of varieties in any staple food 
category. Accessory foods shall not be counted as staple foods for 
purposes of determining eligibility to participate in SNAP as a retail 
food store.
* * * * *
    (iv) * * * In addition, firms that are considered to be 
restaurants, that is, firms that have more than 50 percent of their 
total gross sales in foods cooked or heated on-site by the retailer 
before or after purchase; and hot and/or cold prepared foods not 
intended for home preparation or consumption, including prepared foods 
that are consumed on the premises or sold for carryout, shall not 
qualify for participation as retail food stores under Criterion A or B. 
* * *
* * * * *
    (6) Need for access. FNS will consider whether the applicant firm 
is located in an area with significantly limited access to food when 
the applicant firm fails to meet Criterion A per paragraph (b)(1)(ii) 
or Criterion B per paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section so long as the 
applicant firm meets all other SNAP authorization requirements. In 
determining whether an applicant is located in such an area, FNS may 
consider access factors such as, but not limited to, the distance from 
the applicant firm to the nearest currently SNAP authorized firm and 
transportation options. In determining whether to authorize an 
applicant despite its failure to meet Criterion A and Criterion B, FNS 
will also consider factors such as, but not limited to, the extent of 
the applicant firm's stocking deficiencies in meeting Criterion A and 
Criterion B and whether the store furthers the purposes of the Program. 
Such considerations will be conducted during the application process as 
described in paragraph (a) of this section.
* * * * *
    (q) * * *
    (5) Public disclosure of firms sanctioned for SNAP violations. FNS 
may disclose information to the public when a retail food store has 
been disqualified or otherwise sanctioned for violations of the Program 
after the time for administrative and judicial appeals has expired. 
This information is limited to the name and address of the store, the 
owner(s') name(s) and information about the sanction itself. FNS may 
continue to disclose this information for as long as the duration of 
the sanction. In the event that a sanctioned firm is assigned a civil 
penalty in lieu of a period of disqualification, as described in Sec.  
278.6(a), FNS may continue to disclose this information for as long as 
the duration of the period of disqualification or until the civil 
penalty has been paid in full, whichever is longer.
* * * * *

    Dated: December 7, 2016.
Audrey Rowe,
Acting Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.
[FR Doc. 2016-29837 Filed 12-14-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P



                                                                                                                                                                                                90675

                                             Rules and Regulations                                                                                         Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                           Vol. 81, No. 241

                                                                                                                                                           Thursday, December 15, 2016



                                             This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    firms’’, and defines the term ‘‘firm’’ as             access, minimizing the burden on
                                             contains regulatory documents having general            discussed in the SUPPLEMENTARY                        participating retail food stores and
                                             applicability and legal effect, most of which           INFORMATION. Finally, this rule allows                reflective of the many comments
                                             are keyed to and codified in the Code of                FNS to consider the need for food access              received in response to the proposed
                                             Federal Regulations, which is published under           when making a SNAP authorization
                                             50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
                                                                                                                                                           rule, this final rule has been
                                                                                                     determination for applicant firms that                substantially modified from its
                                             The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by              fail to meet certain authorization                    proposed form, including to reduce
                                             the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of              requirements and reaffirms FNS’s                      burden on retailers participating in the
                                             new books are listed in the first FEDERAL               authority to disclose to the public                   program and to help retain their
                                             REGISTER issue of each week.                            certain information about retailers who               participation in the program.
                                                                                                     have violated SNAP rules.
                                                                                                     DATES: Effective date: This rule is
                                                                                                                                                           Summary of the Main Provisions &
                                             DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                               effective on January 17, 2017.                        Changes From the Proposed Rule

                                             Food and Nutrition Service                                 Implementation dates: See the                        The proposed rule generated a great
                                                                                                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.                            deal of interest and concern among a
                                             7 CFR Parts 271 and 278                                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      diverse array of Program stakeholders.
                                                                                                     Vicky Robinson, Chief, Retailer                       In consideration of these comments FNS
                                             [FNS–2016–0018]                                         Management and Issuance Branch                        has clarified, modified, or excised
                                             RIN 0584–AE27                                           (RMIB), Retailer Policy and                           several provisions contained in the
                                                                                                     Management Division (RPMD), Food                      proposed rule. In summary:
                                             Enhancing Retailer Standards in the                     and Nutrition Service (FNS), U.S.
                                             Supplemental Nutrition Assistance                       Department of Agriculture (USDA),                     • Definition of ‘‘Staple Food’’—
                                             Program (SNAP)                                          3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria,                   Multiple Ingredient Food Items
                                                                                                     Virginia 22302. Ms. Robinson can also
                                             AGENCY:  Food and Nutrition Service                                                                              The proposed language excluding
                                                                                                     be reached by telephone at (703) 305–
                                             (FNS), U.S. Department of Agriculture                   2476 or by email at Vicky.Robinson@                   multiple ingredient food items from
                                             (USDA or the Department).                               fns.usda.gov during regular business                  being counted towards any staple food
                                             ACTION: Final rule.                                     hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), Monday                category has been removed from the
                                                                                                     through Friday.                                       final rule.
                                             SUMMARY:    The Food and Nutrition
                                             Service (FNS or the Agency) is updating                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            • Definition of ‘‘Staple Food’’—
                                             Supplemental Nutrition Assistance                                                                             Accessory Food Items
                                                                                                     I. Executive Summary
                                             Program (SNAP or the Program)                                                                                    The proposed language has been
                                             regulations pertaining to the eligibility               Purpose of the Regulatory Action
                                                                                                                                                           clarified to specify that ‘‘accessory food
                                             criteria for retail food stores to                         In this final rule, FNS is amending                items’’ are not defined by consumption
                                             participate in the Program by finalizing                SNAP regulations at 7 CFR parts 271                   between meals or package size and that
                                             a proposed rule that was published on                   and 278 to clarify and enhance current                foods with an accessory food main
                                             February 17, 2016. The Agricultural Act                 regulations governing the eligibility of              ingredient (e.g., sugar) are considered
                                             of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill) amended                    firms to participate in SNAP. This                    accessory foods. Specific examples have
                                             the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the                 rulemaking also codifies mandatory
                                                                                                                                                           been added to the amendatory language
                                             Act) to increase the requirement that                   provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill, as well
                                                                                                                                                           at 7 CFR 271.2 and a longer list of
                                             certain SNAP authorized retail food                     as other provisions to strengthen current
                                                                                                                                                           examples is included in the preamble of
                                             stores have available on a continuous                   regulations and conform to statutory
                                                                                                                                                           the final rule.
                                             basis at least three varieties of items in              intent. These changes will improve
                                             each of four staple food categories, to a               SNAP households’ access to a variety of               • Definition of ‘‘Retail Food Store’’—
                                             mandatory minimum of seven varieties.                   healthy food options and they reflect the             85–15% Prepared Foods Threshold
                                             The 2014 Farm Bill also amended the                     Agency’s ongoing commitments to
                                             Act to increase, for certain SNAP                       provide vital nutrition assistance to the                The proposed language defining
                                             authorized retail food stores, the                      most vulnerable Americans, protect                    ‘‘retail food store’’ as a firm with at least
                                             minimum number of staple food                           taxpayer dollars, and build on                        85 percent of its total food sales in items
                                             categories in which perishable foods are                aggressive efforts to ensure Program                  not cooked or heated on-site before or
                                             required from two to three. This final                  integrity. The final rule allows FNS to               after purchase has been removed from
                                             rule codifies these mandatory                           ensure that firms authorized to                       the final rule. However, related to this
                                             requirements.                                           participate in SNAP as retail food stores             proposed provision, language was
                                                In addition, FNS is codifying several                are consistent with and further the                   added to existing regulations on
                                             other discretionary changes to the                      purposes of the Program. This final rule              ‘‘ineligible firms’’ to specify that a firm
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             existing eligibility criteria. The first is to          reinforces the statutory intent of                    is ineligible for SNAP authorization if at
                                             address depth of stock by establishing a                SNAP—that participants are able to use                least 50 percent of its total gross sales
                                             minimum of three stocking units per                     their benefits to purchase nutritious                 come from the sale of hot and/or cold
                                             staple food variety. The rule also                      foods intended for home preparation                   prepared foods, including foods cooked
                                             amends the definitions of ‘‘staple food,’’              and consumption. In the interests of                  or heated on-site, before or after
                                             ‘‘retail food store,’’ and ‘‘ineligible                 preserving SNAP households’ food                      purchase.


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014   14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00001   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                             90676            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                             • Definition of ‘‘Retail Food Store’’—                   plant-based dairy alternatives (e.g., rice            staple food category), the depth of stock
                                             Co-located Firms                                         milk and soy yogurt). Finally, language               provision (i.e., establish at 7 CFR 271.2
                                                The proposed language regarding co-                   was added to the definition of ‘‘staple               and 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A) the
                                             located businesses was clarified and                     food’’ to specify what constitutes a                  requirement that certain firms must
                                             narrowed to specify that multiple                        variety in all four staple food categories.           stock at least three stocking units of
                                             businesses that operate under one roof                   These changes are in keeping with                     each staple food variety), the breadth of
                                             will only be considered a single firm for                USDA’s MyPlate nutrition guidelines,                  stock provision (i.e., codify at 7 CFR
                                             purposes of determining SNAP retailer                    allow retailers more flexibility in                   271.2 and 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A)
                                             eligibility if the businesses have                       stocking sufficient variety in this staple            statutory requirements to increase the
                                             common ownership, sale of similar                        food category and help to ensure that                 number of varieties required of certain
                                             food, and shared inventory.                              SNAP households will have access to an                firms in each of the four staple food
                                                                                                      array of healthy food options that meet               category from three to seven and
                                             • Definition of ‘‘Retail Food Store’’—                   diverse dietary needs and preferences.                increase the number of staple food
                                             Depth of Stock                                                                                                 categories that must contain at least one
                                                                                                      • Public Disclosure of Firms Sanctioned
                                               The proposed depth of stock                                                                                  perishable staple food variety from two
                                                                                                      for SNAP Violations
                                             requirement was halved, from six to                                                                            to three), the acceptable varieties
                                             three stocking units per staple food                        Language was added to this provision               provision (i.e., clarify and amend at 7
                                             variety. Additionally, language was                      to specify that the public disclosure of              CFR 271.2 and 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(C)
                                             added to specify that a firm may not be                  firms subject to term sanctions would                 the definition of ‘‘variety’’ as it pertains
                                             denied or withdrawn based on certain                     last for the term of the sanction.                    to staple food varieties in the four staple
                                             stocking shortfalls at the time of the                   Implementation Dates                                  food categories), and the need for access
                                             Agency inspection if that firm can                                                                             provision (i.e., allow at 7 CFR
                                                                                                         The following provisions of this final             278.1(b)(6) the Agency to consider
                                             produce documentation proving that, no                   rule will be implemented on the
                                             more than 21 days prior to the Agency                                                                          ‘‘need for access’’ when a retailer does
                                                                                                      effective date of this final rule: The                not meet all of the requirements for
                                             inspection, the firm had ordered and/or                  definition of ‘‘firm’’ provision (i.e.,
                                             received the required stock.                                                                                   SNAP authorization).
                                                                                                      define ‘‘firm’’ at 7 CFR 271.2 so as to                  As it is used in this document the
                                             • Definition of ‘‘Retail Food Store’’—                   clarify that it also includes retailers,              phrase ‘‘existing policy’’ refers to
                                             Breadth of Stock                                         entities, and stores) and the public                  Agency policy in place as of December
                                               Per statute, no changes were made to                   disclosure of sanctioned firms provision              15, 2016. Changes to existing policy
                                             this provision, which increased the                      (i.e., reaffirm at 7 CFR 278.1(q)(5) the              included in the final rule will be
                                             number of varieties required per staple                  Agency’s authority and intent to                      implemented on or after the effective
                                             food category from three to seven and                    publicly disclose the store and owner                 date of the final rule, January 17, 2017,
                                             increased the number of staple food                      name for firms sanctioned for SNAP                    as described above in this section.
                                             categories required to contain at least                  violations).
                                                                                                         The following provisions of this final             Retailer Guidance for Implementation of
                                             one perishable variety from two to three.                                                                      Final Rule
                                                                                                      rule will be implemented for all retailers
                                             • Definition of ‘‘Firm’’                                 120 days after the effective date of this                Many Program stakeholders
                                                No changes were made to this                          final rule: The co-located firms                      specifically requested that FNS provide
                                             provision which defines the term                         provision (i.e., establish at 7 CFR 271.2             retailers with detailed guidance and
                                             ‘‘firm’’.                                                that establishments that include                      training materials on the rule to ensure
                                                                                                      separate businesses that operate under                that all retailers fully understand all of
                                             • Need for Access                                        one roof and share the following                      the provisions of the final rule. In
                                               Language was added to this provision                   commonalities: Ownership, sale of                     addition to the clarifications and lists of
                                             to specify that ‘‘need for access’’ factors              similar foods, and shared inventory are               examples provided in the preamble of
                                             would not be limited to those                            considered to be a single firm) and the               the final rule, FNS will answer retailer
                                             enumerated in the regulatory language,                   prepared foods threshold provision (i.e.,             inquiries and provide retailers with
                                             that ‘‘need for access’’ would only be                   establish at 7 CFR 271.2 and 7 CFR                    additional notice, guidance, and
                                             considered for applicant firms that fail                 278.1(b)(1)(iv) that firms that have more             training materials during the
                                             to meet certain authorization                            than 50 percent of their total gross sales            aforementioned implementation period
                                             requirements, and that the consideration                 in hot and/or cold prepared foods,                    per 7 CFR 278.1(t). This will include
                                             of ‘‘need for access’’ would be part of                  including foods cooked or heated on-                  extensive outreach to ensure that the
                                             the existing SNAP authorization process                  site before or after purchase, shall not              retailer community is provided with
                                             under 7 CFR 278.1(a).                                    qualify).                                             sufficient technical assistance to ensure
                                                                                                         The stocking provisions of this final              that all firms are adequately informed
                                             • Definition of ‘‘Staple Food’’—                         rule will be implemented for all new                  regarding these changes to SNAP rules.
                                             Acceptable Varieties in the Four Staple                  applicant firms and all firms eligible for
                                             Food Categories                                          reinstatement 120 days after the                      II. Background
                                               Language was added to the definition                   effective date of this final rule and 365                On August 20, 2013, FNS published a
                                             of ‘‘staple food’’ to include in the meat,               days after the effective date of this final           notice entitled, ‘‘Request for
                                             poultry, or fish staple food category                    rule for all currently authorized firms.              Information: Supplemental Nutrition
                                             three types of plant-based protein                       The stocking provisions of this final rule            Assistance Program (SNAP) Enhancing
                                             sources (beans, peas, and nuts/seeds) as                 include: The accessory food items                     Retail Food Store Eligibility’’ in the
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             well as plant-based meat analogues (e.g.,                provision (i.e., amend at 7 CFR 271.2                 Federal Register (78 FR 51136). This
                                             tofu and seitan) and traditional animal-                 and 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(C) the                      Request for Information (RFI), which
                                             based protein sources (e.g., chicken and                 definition of ‘‘staple food’’ so as to                included 14 specific questions, focused
                                             beef). Language was also added to the                    modify the regulatory definition of                   on ways to enhance the definitions of
                                             definition of ‘‘staple food’’ to include in              ‘‘accessory food items’’, to exclude                  ‘‘retail food store’’ and ‘‘staple foods’’,
                                             the dairy products staple food category                  certain items from being counted in any               and overall eligibility requirements to


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00002   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                       90677

                                             participate in SNAP, in order to                         submission had no relation to the                     comments) constitute about 78% of all
                                             improve access to healthy foods and                      general subject or specific provisions of             retailer comments (901 total retailer
                                             ensure that only firms that effectuate the               the proposed rule (e.g., comments                     comments) and about 56% of all total
                                             purposes of SNAP are authorized to                       referencing other disparate rulemaking                comments (1,260 total germane and
                                             accept SNAP benefits. FNS received a                     actions).                                             non-duplicative public comments). The
                                             total of 211 comments from a diverse                                                                           remaining 200 retailer comments were
                                                                                                      III. Summary of Comments and
                                             group of commenters, including                                                                                 unique submissions (about 16% of total
                                                                                                      Explanation of Revisions
                                             retailers, academics, trade associations,                                                                      public comments, or about 22% of all
                                             policy advocates, professional                           Summary of Comments                                   retailer comments).
                                             associations, government entities, and                      Of the 1,260 germane and non-                         The remaining approximately 28% of
                                             the general public. These RFI comments                   duplicative comments considered by                    comments received included feedback
                                             were considered in drafting the                          FNS, most of the comments received                    from the following entities: 259 private
                                             proposed rule. A copy of the RFI                         came from retail food store                           citizens, 29 industry trade associations,
                                             comment summary can be viewed at                         representatives, owners, managers, or                 28 medical practitioners/organizations,
                                             http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/rfi-                        employees (901 or about 72% of total                  21 advocacy or food access
                                             retailer-enhancement.                                    public comments). This total was largely              organizations, and 22 governmental
                                                On February 17, 2016, the Agency                      comprised of retailer template                        entities.
                                             published a Notice of Proposed                                                                                    Of the 1,260 germane and non-
                                                                                                      comments which either repeated
                                             Rulemaking (NPRM) rule in the Federal                                                                          duplicative public comments received,
                                                                                                      boilerplate language verbatim or with
                                             Register (81 FR 8015), in which FNS                                                                            overall opinions on the rule were
                                                                                                      minor modifications and/or
                                             proposed to amend SNAP regulations at                                                                          mixed. A majority of public comments
                                                                                                      personalizations. The retailer template               (about 54% of all germane and non-
                                             7 CFR parts 271 and 278 in order to
                                                                                                      comments (henceforth Template A)                      duplicative public comments) neither
                                             strengthen the criteria for the eligibility
                                                                                                      submitted by the employees and owners                 wholly opposed, nor wholly supported
                                             of certain SNAP retail food stores
                                                                                                      of one chain of firms (a national take-               the rule as proposed. This number
                                             utilizing existing authority in the Act
                                                                                                      and-bake pizzeria chain which claims                  includes comments that suggested
                                             and to codify statutory provisions in the
                                                                                                      over 1,300 locations nationally, about                improvements or modifications to the
                                             2014 Farm Bill. On April 5, 2016, FNS
                                                                                                      800 of which are currently authorized to              proposed provisions. About 40% of
                                             published a document in the Federal
                                                                                                      participate in SNAP) accounted for                    public comments specifically opposed
                                             Register (81 FR 19500) clarifying certain
                                             provisions of the proposed rule and                      more than one quarter of all public                   at least one provision of the proposed
                                             extending the proposed rule’s comment                    comments received and more than one                   rule while not voicing support for any
                                             period.                                                  third of all retailer comments received               specific provision of the proposed rule
                                                The proposed rule included statutory                  (333 Template A comments, about 26%                   or offering any improvements or
                                             changes to the breadth of stock (seven                   of total public comments, or about 37%                modifications to the proposed
                                             varieties in each of the four staple food                of all retailer comments). The retailer               provisions. About 5% of public
                                             categories and at least one variety of                   template comments (henceforth                         comments specifically supported at
                                             perishable foods in at least three staple                Template B) submitted by the                          least one provision of the proposed rule
                                             food categories) required of certain                     employees and owners of another chain                 while not opposing any specific
                                             SNAP retailers which were mandated by                    of firms (a regional chain of                         provision of the proposed rule or
                                             the 2014 Farm Bill. Additionally, the                    convenience stores which claims over                  offering any improvements or
                                             rule proposed discretionary changes                      600 locations, about 550 of which are                 modifications to the proposed
                                             such as provisions to address depth of                   SNAP authorized firms) accounted for                  provisions. Finally, less than 1% of
                                             stock, amend the definition of ‘‘staple                  about a seventh of all public comments                public comments were considered out
                                             food’’, amend the definition of ‘‘retail                 received and about a fifth of all retailer            of scope (e.g., general comments
                                             food store’’, and reaffirm the Agency’s                  comments received (183 Template B                     supporting or opposing the
                                             authority to disclose to the public                      comments, about 15% of total public                   Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
                                             certain information about retailers who                  comments, or about 20% of all retailer                Program). Comments from medical
                                             have violated SNAP rules.                                comments). The comments submitted by                  practitioners/organizations tended to
                                                The 91-day public comment period                      the owners, operators, or representatives             generally support the proposed rule,
                                             ended on May 18, 2016. FNS received                      of convenience stores using the template              while comments from private citizens,
                                             1,284 public comments, including one                     (henceforth Template C) provided by an                advocacy organizations, and
                                             comment not considered as it was                         international convenience store trade                 governmental entities were generally
                                             submitted untimely, and reviewed all                     association, which professes to                       divided between those in favor and
                                             1,283 timely public comments when                        represent more than 1,500 supplier                    opposed to various provisions of the
                                             drafting this final rule. Of these 1,283                 company members and 2,100 retailer                    proposed rule. Industry trade
                                             comments, 23 were considered                             company members with over 50,000                      associations, largely representing food
                                             duplicative or non-germane, 738 or                       convenience store locations nationally,               retailers, manufacturers, and
                                             about 58% of all comments were                           accounted for about a ninth of all                    distributors, generally opposed some
                                             template or form letters, and 522 or                     comments received and about a sixth of                provisions of the proposed rule.
                                             about 41% of all comments were unique                    all retailer comments received (143                   Analysis of the comments which
                                             submissions. Comments were                               Template C comments, about 11% of                     addressed each of the ten provisions in
                                             considered duplicative only if the actual                total public comments, or about 16% of                the proposed rule follows.
                                             submission and submitter were                            all retailer comments). Other retailer
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             identical to those of a previously                       comment templates accounted for about                 Definition of ‘‘Staple Food’’—Multiple
                                             received comment (e.g., a comment that                   3% of total public comments received                  Ingredient Food Items
                                             was both submitted to the Agency                         and about 5% of all retailer comments                   This discretionary provision proposed
                                             electronically and by mail) and                          received (42 other retailer template                  to amend language, at 7 CFR 271.2 and
                                             comments were considered non-                            comments). In total, retailer template                7 CFR 278.1(b), to exclude multiple
                                             germane only if the contents of the                      comments (701 total retailer template                 ingredient food items from being


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00003   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                             90678            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                             counted towards any staple food                          the items in stock are multiple                       item. Per Benefits Redemption Division
                                             category. This provision was                             ingredient items, including mixed fruit               Policy Memorandum 01–04, one
                                             specifically opposed by more public                      cups, frozen vegetable meat medley                    exception to this is the accessory food
                                             comments than any other provision in                     dinners, or canned soups. To comply                   item water. If the main ingredient of a
                                             the proposed rule. Based on the strength                 with the proposal, these small format                 multiple ingredient food item is listed
                                             of the arguments of these comments,                      retailers would have to completely                    as water, then that item is assigned to
                                             FNS has stricken this provision from the                 overhaul their food offerings—and                     the staple food category of its second
                                             final rule. Of the total 1,260 germane                   remove items they now sell—to remain                  listed ingredient. Under this existing
                                             and non-duplicative public comments                      eligible to participate in SNAP. This                 policy, for example, a product such as
                                             received, 867 comments addressed this                    will be quite costly and, for many, will              canned tomato soup, with water and
                                             provision and 685 comments, or about                     make it too costly to continue                        tomato paste as its first and second
                                             54% of all public comments,                              participating in SNAP.’’                              listed ingredients respectively, is
                                             specifically opposed this provision.                        Several retailer commenters also                   considered a variety in the vegetables or
                                             About 69% of total retailer commenters                   pointed out that, although this change                fruits staple food category (i.e., tomato).
                                             and a majority of total industry trade                   was intended to clear up confusion, it                If that second ingredient is also an
                                             group commenters specifically opposed                    would create more confusion among                     accessory food item (e.g., sugar) then
                                             this provision. Private citizens, medical                retailers than under current regulations.             that item is considered an accessory
                                             groups, advocacy organizations, and                      As noted by one commenter, an                         food item.
                                             governmental entities that commented                     international chain of convenience                       In general, a majority of industry
                                             on this provision were generally divided                 stores which claims over 50,000                       groups opposed the proposed multiple
                                             and/or expressed mixed opinions.                         convenience store members in 17                       ingredient provision. In addition to the
                                                About one quarter of the total 1,260                  countries including over 7,000 SNAP                   concerns about higher costs for certain
                                             germane and non-duplicative public                       authorized firms, ‘‘The ‘main ingredient’             types of retailers and greater retailer
                                             comments were Template A comments                        for most items is easily determined from              confusion, industry groups opposed to
                                             submitted by the owners and employees                    the principal display panel and/or the                this provision were also concerned
                                             of a take-and-bake pizzeria chain. This                  FDA-mandated ingredients list.’’                      about the effect of the provision on
                                             chain relies exclusively on cold pizza, a                   Currently, per 7 CFR 271.2 and 7 CFR               SNAP households, which industry
                                             multiple ingredient food item, for their                 278.1(b)(ii)(C), multiple ingredient food             groups claim rely heavily on multiple
                                             SNAP eligibility under Criterion B (this                 items are assigned to the staple food                 ingredient food items as part of their
                                             criterion requires firms to have 50                      category of their main ingredient as                  nutritional intake. For example, the
                                             percent of total gross retail sales in                   determined by FNS. The final rule titled              international convenience store trade
                                             staple food sales). Template A                           ‘‘Food Stamp Program: Revisions to the                association and the petroleum
                                             comments expressed opposition to this                    Retail Food Store Definition and                      marketers’ trade association jointly
                                             provision on the grounds that it would                   Program Authorization Guidance’’,                     stated that, ‘‘multiple ingredient items
                                             categorically eliminate them from the                    published in the Federal Register on                  are often the main sources of nutrition
                                             Program and that multiple ingredient                     January 12, 2001 (66 FR 2795) was                     intake for families in the United States’’.
                                             foods such as pizza may be healthy and                   further clarified by Benefits Redemption              Likewise, other industry groups, such as
                                             affordable options for low income                        Division Policy Memorandum 01–04,                     those representing the manufacturers
                                             Americans. Other retailer template                       titled, ‘‘Implementation of Final Retail              and distributors of canned and frozen
                                             comments, such as Templates B and C                      Store Eligibility Rule’’ which was issued             food products, pointed out that multiple
                                             from convenience store owners and                        on August 14, 2001. In this Agency
                                                                                                                                                            ingredient food items, such as ‘‘frozen
                                             employees, also opposed this provision                   policy memorandum it is stated that the
                                                                                                                                                            pizza rolls’’ or ‘‘canned soup’’, can be
                                             on similar grounds.                                      label may be read to determine the main
                                                                                                                                                            major sources of important nutritional
                                                Many of the retailers opposing the                    ingredient in a multiple ingredient food
                                                                                                                                                            intake for SNAP households and all
                                             multiple ingredient food items                           item. The label referenced herein is the
                                                                                                                                                            Americans.
                                             provision were from the convenience                      ingredients list included at the bottom                  In addition, about two thirds of
                                             store industry. Such commenters                          of the U.S. Department of Health and                  advocacy groups opposed this
                                             pointed out that the exclusion of these                  Human Services (HHS) Food and Drug                    provision. Opposed advocacy group
                                             products from eligibility towards SNAP                   Administration (FDA) mandated
                                                                                                                                                            commenters were primarily concerned
                                             Criterion A (under this final rule,                      ‘‘Nutrition Facts’’ label. On this label,
                                                                                                                                                            about the importance of multiple
                                             Criterion A would require firms to stock                 ingredients are listed in descending
                                                                                                                                                            ingredient food items in lower-income
                                             on a continuous basis seven varieties in                 order of weight (i.e., from most to least).
                                                                                                                                                            Americans’ diets, especially for those
                                             each of the four staple food categories                  The first listed ingredient, therefore,
                                                                                                                                                            unable to prepare meals at home due to
                                             and at least one variety of perishable                   makes up the largest share of the
                                                                                                                                                            barriers such as time constraints and/or
                                             foods in at least three staple food                      product’s composition.
                                                                                                         Long-standing FNS policy, therefore,               a lack of adequate kitchen facilities.
                                             categories) would substantially increase
                                                                                                      holds that a multiple ingredient food                 Additionally, some advocacy groups
                                             the difficulty of retailer compliance
                                                                                                      will be assigned to the staple food                   pointed out that some multiple
                                             with concurrent proposed
                                             enhancements in the required depth and                   category of its first listed ingredient on            ingredient food items may have high
                                             breadth of stock, given the limited space                this label. Under this existing policy, for           nutritional value. One national, anti-
                                             in convenience stores. For example, one                  example, a product such as canned                     poverty organization stated that:
                                             comment, jointly submitted by the                        ravioli, with tomato puree as its listed                USDA has recognized before how essential
                                                                                                      main ingredient, is considered a variety              convenient, multiple ingredient foods are to
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             international convenience store trade
                                             association noted above and a                            (i.e., tomato) in the vegetables or fruits            food purchasing and preparation among
                                                                                                                                                            SNAP participants. The Thrifty Food Plan is
                                             petroleum marketers trade association                    staple food category. If the main                     the government market basket upon which
                                             which professes to represent about half                  ingredient of a multiple ingredient food              SNAP benefit amounts are based. In an effort
                                             of the chain petroleum retailers                         item is an accessory food item (e.g.,                 to be more realistic about the time available
                                             nationally, stated that, ‘‘Today, in over                salt), then that multiple ingredient food             for food preparation in the home, USDA
                                             99,000 convenience stores, 75 percent of                 item is considered an accessory food                  incorporated more convenience foods in the



                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00004   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                        90679

                                             2006 revision of the Thrifty Food Plan . . .             complex regulatory process. This is [a]               approximately 5% of all public
                                             Therefore, it is especially odd that many of             strong policy that will increase the                  comments, specifically addressed this
                                             the foods specifically added to Thrifty Food             availability of staple foods in all [of the           provision. Of the 65 comments that
                                             Plan market baskets in 2006 would be                     city’s] neighborhoods’’. Other                        specifically addressed this provision,
                                             excluded as staple foods under the proposed
                                             rule. So long as retail food stores are meeting
                                                                                                      governmental commenters such as the                   about half supported it, about a quarter
                                             the increased amounts, variety of staple items           deputy mayor from another city with a                 opposed it, and about a quarter were
                                             and perishable items called by the statute,              population over 600,000 that contains                 mixed. Less than 1% of total retailer
                                             there is no compelling purpose to exclude                nearly 500 SNAP authorized firms                      commenters specifically opposed this
                                             multiple ingredient items from counting (as              opposed this provision, stating,                      provision. Industry trade groups and
                                             they do under current regulations) under one             ‘‘Disqualifying all prepared foods for                governmental entities that commented
                                             of the SNAP staple food categories.                      SNAP eligibility is risky as these are                on this provision were generally divided
                                             However, some advocacy groups,                           shelf-stable staples in small stores and              and/or expressed mixed opinions.
                                             particularly those that are nutrition-                   can serve as primary foodstuffs for                   Medical groups, private citizens, and
                                             focused, supported this provision. A                     SNAP families.’’                                      advocacy organizations that commented
                                             national non-profit consumer advocacy                       While FNS does agree with the                      on this provision were generally
                                             group focused on nutrition and food                      commenters that argued that this                      supportive. FNS has retained this
                                             safety which claims over 750,000                         provision would likely increase healthy               provision in the final rule with some
                                             members stated that, ‘‘Disallowing                       options for SNAP participants, the                    modifications and clarifications.
                                                                                                      Agency believes that other provisions in                 Trade group comments, such as a
                                             multiple ingredient products to count as
                                                                                                      this final rule also help increase healthy            comment jointly submitted by the
                                             a staple food (e.g., pizza because the
                                                                                                      options for SNAP participants. The                    international convenience store trade
                                             first ingredient is bread) ensures that the
                                                                                                      proposed rule would have increased the                association and the trade petroleum
                                             minimum stocking requirements for
                                                                                                      required depth and breadth of staple                  marketers’ trade association, contended
                                             SNAP authorized retailers are for
                                                                                                      food stock while simultaneously                       that this provision would incur costs
                                             healthier foods’’.
                                                                                                      expanding the list of accessory foods                 not captured in the Agency’s proposed
                                                Governmental entities were divided
                                                                                                      excluded from the definition of ‘‘staple              Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) and
                                             on this provision while medical entities
                                                                                                      foods’’ and excluding multiple                        Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (RFA),
                                             largely supported it. Overall, medical
                                                                                                      ingredient food items from the                        as accessory food items with higher
                                             organizations supported this provision                   definition of ‘‘staple foods’’. According             profit margins, such as potato chips,
                                             on the grounds that it would compel                      to some comments received, taken                      would need to be replaced with staple
                                             retailers to stock healthier food options                together, these four provisions would                 food items with lower profit margins,
                                             and help steer SNAP households away                      constitute an unreasonably burdensome                 such as fruits and vegetables. This
                                             from calorie-dense and nutrient-poor                     stocking requirement for small format                 ‘‘opportunity cost’’ is a significant
                                             multiple ingredient food items, while                    retailers. The Agency shares these                    contributing factor toward compliance
                                             also stressing the need for Agency                       concerns and, for these reasons, the                  cost estimates, such as the estimate
                                             clarification and guidance of this                       proposed multiple ingredient food items               submitted by these trade groups in their
                                             proposed provision prior to                              provision has been stricken from this                 joint comment, which exceed the
                                             implementation. A representative of one                  final rule. Multiple ingredient food                  Agency’s estimates in the proposed RIA
                                             such organization, a national, non-                      items will, therefore, continue to be                 and RFA. The Agency appreciates these
                                             profit, medical association which claims                 assigned to the staple food category of               comments and has incorporated
                                             64,000 pediatrician, pediatric medical                   their main listed ingredient per current              ‘‘opportunity costs’’ into the cost
                                             subspecialist, and pediatric surgical                    regulations at 7 CFR 271.2.                           estimates which appear in the final RIA
                                             specialist members, noted that                                                                                 and RFA. This subject is examined in
                                             ‘‘multiple ingredient foods available in                 Definition of ‘‘Staple Food’’—Accessory
                                                                                                                                                            further detail the final rule’s RIA and
                                             small retail outlets, like pizza and other               Food Items
                                                                                                                                                            RFA.
                                             mixed dish frozen and boxed entrees                         This discretionary provision proposed                 This provision was largely supported
                                             like casseroles and macaroni and                         to amend the definition of ‘‘staple food’’            by advocacy, medical, and local
                                             cheese, tend to be higher in sodium,                     so as to modify the regulatory definition             governmental commenters. One State
                                             saturated fats, and sugar’’ and, as a                    of ‘‘accessory food items’’, to exclude               university’s nutrition research institute
                                             result, supported this provision adding                  certain items from being counted in any               commented that it ‘‘. . . strongly
                                             that ‘‘nutritional profile should be                     staple food category, in keeping with                 supports . . . [the expansion] of the
                                             considered in determining how to                         statutory intent. The proposed provision              definition of accessory foods to include
                                             define a staple food’’ and that ‘‘FNS                    would have expanded the list of                       chips, desserts, and other snack foods,
                                             [should] provide clear and                               accessory foods to include: ‘‘Foods that              such that these items are not counted as
                                             comprehensive guidance, at the time the                  are generally consumed between meals                  staple foods.’’ Another international,
                                             rule is finalized, that includes a list of               and/or are generally considered snacks                nutrition-focused, non-profit
                                             specific foods that would qualify as                     or desserts such as, but not limited to,              organization professing to represent
                                             staple foods’’.                                          chips, dips, crackers, cupcakes, cookies,             over 1,000 nutrition professionals stated
                                                State and local governmental                          popcorn, pastries, and candy, or food                 that, ‘‘We support the proposed changes
                                             commenters were divided on this                          items that complement or supplement                   to the definition of ‘accessory foods’ that
                                             provision. One mayor of a city of                        meals, such as, but not limited, to                   would not qualify as staple foods to
                                             600,000 containing over 1,000 SNAP                       coffee, tea, cocoa, carbonated and                    include snack foods and dessert items
                                             authorized firms supported the
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                                                                      uncarbonated drinks, condiments,                      such as chips, dips, cookies, cakes and
                                             provision, stating, ‘‘Currently, the staple              spices, salt and sugar’’.                             pastries that are typically consumed
                                             food category determination for foods                       This proposed provision was                        between meals.’’ A city health
                                             with multiple ingredients is very                        specifically addressed by a low number                department commissioner, representing
                                             subjective. We support the proposed                      of public commenters. Of the total 1,260              a city with a population of about
                                             changes to the definition of ‘staple food’               germane and non-duplicative public                    400,000 containing about 450 SNAP
                                             in order to bring clarity to a very                      comments received, 65 comments, or                    authorized firms noted that, ‘‘We


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00005   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                             90680            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                             support the proposed changes to the                      eliminating from consideration healthy                removed the language ‘‘generally
                                             definition of ‘accessory foods’ that                     snacks like dried fruit and yogurt cups,              consumed between meals’’ in order to
                                             would not qualify as staple foods to                     stating that such healthy snack foods are             address concerns that this language is
                                             include snack foods and dessert items                    integral to the diet of the increasing                vague or overly broad. Likewise, the
                                             such as chips, dips, cookies, cakes and                  number of Americans who eat on the go.                listed example of ‘‘dips’’ has been
                                             pastries that are typically consumed                        As explained in the preamble to the                removed as such terminology could be
                                             between meals. Many of these items                       proposed rule, the statutory language                 construed to include potential staple
                                             have limited nutritional value, and no                   defining ‘‘accessory food items’’ was                 foods such as guacamole, hummus, and
                                             longer defining them as staple foods                     explicitly not intended to limit this                 salsa as noted earlier by commenters.
                                             will support the intent of this rule to                  class of food items to the eight items                Primarily this provision will expand the
                                             encourage SNAP retailers to stock                        specifically enumerated in the Section                definition of ‘‘accessory food items’’ to
                                             healthier items.’’                                       3(q)(2) of the Act which reads, ‘‘ ‘Staple            include snack and dessert foods, as well
                                                The large, international chain of                     foods’ do not include accessory food                  as specified food items that complement
                                             convenience stores stated that it ‘‘. . .                items, such as coffee, tea, cocoa,                    or supplement meals. These foods are
                                             does not object to the exclusion of                      carbonated and uncarbonated drinks,                   typically deficient in important
                                             accessory food items from the definition                 candy, condiments, and spices                         nutrients and are high in sodium,
                                             of ‘Staple Food’ ’’ and another national                 [emphasis added].’’ This language,                    saturated fats, and/or sugar. FNS
                                             food retailer trade association which                    which creates an illustrative and not                 believes that this approach to excluding
                                             professes to represent nearly 40,000                     exhaustive list, reflects the original                typically salty and sugary snack and
                                             retail food stores and 25,000 pharmacies                 statutory intent in defining ‘‘accessory              dessert foods from counting towards
                                             stated it, ‘‘. . . supports this change                  food items’’ as demonstrated in the                   retailer eligibility is a logical extension
                                             conceptually, but notes that retailers                   legislative history of the Food Stamp                 of the statute and is consistent with the
                                             will need flexibility and considerable                   Act of 1977. The language in the House                USDA 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for
                                             guidance from the agency on the revised                  Report to the Food Stamp Act of 1977                  Americans, which recommend limiting
                                             definition’’. Finally, a national trade                  indicated that Congress had intended its              calories from added sugars and
                                             association for the travel plaza and truck               list of accessory food items to be an                 saturated fats and to reduce sodium. For
                                             stop industry which professes to                         illustrative, but not exhaustive, list. For           administrative purposes FNS cannot
                                             represent about 200 corporate members                    example, the House Report stated that                 consider the nutritional contents of
                                             and over 1,200 locations, acknowledges                   ‘‘donut, bakery, and pastry shops which               individual products, such as different
                                             the validity of this provision, but like                 specialize in donuts and sweet baked                  brands of potato chips, on a case by case
                                             those that had opposed the provision,                    goods . . . [that] do not do a substantial            basis. FNS, therefore, must generalize to
                                             cautioned that this could inadvertently                  business in the sale of staple foods, such            a certain extent. As a result FNS has
                                             eliminate stores ‘‘that market healthy                   as bread’’ are not authorized to accept               identified a list of accessory foods that
                                             snack food items such as fruit cups,                     and redeem benefits. This language also               generally meet the criteria above. It will
                                             vegetable-and-dip to go packs, and the                   indicates that Congress did not consider              help to ensure that SNAP clients will
                                             like’’ and argued that this provision                    ‘‘donuts, pastries, and other sweet baked             have access to a range of healthy food
                                             should be ‘‘well tailored [to] prevent                   goods’’ to be staple food items. See H.               products intended for home preparation
                                             retailers that sell predominantly                        Rep. No. 95–464 at 328 (June 24, 1977).               and consumption when they shop with
                                             accessory foods from qualifying to                       Similarly, even though snacks and ice                 their benefits. This final rule, however,
                                             redeem SNAP benefits’’.                                  cream were not specifically listed as                 will not change which products are
                                                Some commenters, however, do not                      accessory food items, the House Report                eligible for purchase with SNAP
                                             believe that this proposed provision                     indicated that Congress did not intend                benefits.
                                             went far enough in excluding unhealthy                   for snack-type foods and ice cream to be                 The list of accessory foods in the final
                                             foods from being counted as staple food                  considered staple foods. See H. Rep. No.              rule now reads: ‘‘Accessory food items
                                             items for the purposes of SNAP                           95–464 at 328 (June 24, 1977) (‘‘Stores               include foods that are generally
                                             authorization. One health commissioner                   whose primary business is the sale of                 considered snacks or desserts such as,
                                             from a city of over 8.5 million                          snack-type foods . . . are not authorized             but not limited to, chips, ice cream,
                                             containing over 10,000 SNAP                              to accept food coupons because they do                crackers, cupcakes, cookies, popcorn,
                                             authorized firms stated that, ‘‘We                       not enable recipients to obtain a low-                pastries, and candy, and food items that
                                             recommend the USDA avoid defining                        cost nutritious diet and, therefore, do               complement or supplement meals such
                                             accessory food items and concentrate                     not effectuate the purpose of the food                as, but not limited to, coffee, tea, cocoa,
                                             efforts in establishing a comprehensive                  stamp program.’’ and ‘‘Candy stores and               carbonated and uncarbonated drinks,
                                             list of staple food items that may be                    ice cream stores and vendors are not                  condiments, spices, salt, and sugar.’’
                                             used to determine eligibility to                         authorized to redeem food stamp                          In response to commenters’ concerns
                                             participate in SNAP.’’                                   coupons because they do not provide                   regarding the effect of this proposed
                                                In their opposition to this provision                 recipients with an opportunity to obtain              provision on small portion size
                                             the comment jointly submitted by the                     any basic staples.’’).                                products, FNS notes that existing
                                             international convenience store trade                       In response to commenters who                      regulations at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(C)
                                             association and the petroleum                            expressed concern about needing                       specifically state that the ‘‘package size’’
                                             marketers’ trade association noted that                  flexibility and additional guidance on                of a product shall not be a determinant
                                             ‘‘[this] provision will drastically limit                this provision, FNS has made some                     of variety. Both an apple and a single-
                                             the number of items that can be counted                  clarification changes to the final rule,              serving package of apple slices would
                                             towards stocking requirements,
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                                                                      has provided a longer list of examples                count as the same variety of a staple
                                             effectively knocking out nutrient-dense                  below in Section IV, and will issue                   food item (i.e., apple) in the vegetables
                                             products including healthy ‘to go’ packs                 additional Agency guidance on this                    or fruits staple food category. Similarly,
                                             such as apple slices and cheese . . .’’.                 subject following promulgation of this                under existing regulations, both a tub of
                                             Other trade group commenters also                        final rule including training materials               yogurt and a single-serving yogurt cup
                                             pointed out that this provision should                   intended for retail food store owners as              are counted as the same variety of staple
                                             be considered carefully to avoid                         needed per 7 CFR 278.1(t). FNS has                    food item (i.e., yogurt) in the dairy


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00006   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                        90681

                                             products staple food category.                           ingredient (with the previously                       restaurants from the Program. The
                                             Therefore, under existing regulations,                   mentioned exception of ‘‘water’’) will                purpose of the proposed provision was
                                             neither a single-serving package of apple                also be considered an accessory food                  to supplement this existing regulation
                                             slices nor a single-serving cup of cow                   item itself. To revise existing policy, the           and exclude from the Program firms that
                                             milk-based yogurt would be categorized                   final rule provides that, ‘‘A food product            have circumvented Congressional intent
                                             as an accessory food due to its package                  containing an accessory food item as its              and achieved SNAP authorization by
                                             size. This sentence in 7 CFR                             main ingredient shall be considered an                selling food cold and offering to cook or
                                             278.1(b)(1)(ii)(C) remained substantively                accessory food item.’’                                heat it on the premises after sale. This
                                             the same in the proposed rule, and                          Because the existing regulations and               proposed provision received a high
                                             nothing in the proposed rule would                       standing policy on accessory foods has                number of adverse comments and based
                                             have classified staple food items sold in                resulted in potato chips being counted                on the strength of the arguments in
                                             ‘‘single-serving’’, ‘‘snack-sized’’ or ‘‘to-             as a variety in the vegetables or fruits              these comments, FNS has stricken this
                                             go’’ packs as accessory food items                       staple food category (i.e., potatoes) and             provision as proposed from the final
                                             simply on the basis of their packaging                   pork rinds being counted as a variety in              rule, instead opting to modify existing
                                             size.                                                    the meat, poultry, or fish staple food                regulations at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(iv) to
                                                However, in response to the confusion                 category (i.e., pork), this final rule will           close this loophole. The final rule now
                                             expressed by many commenters                             amend the definition of staple food in                provides that firms that are considered
                                             regarding packaging size, clarifying                     7 CFR 271.2 to read as set forth in the               to be restaurants, that is, firms that have
                                             language explicitly stating that items                   regulatory text of this rule. The final               more than 50 percent of their total gross
                                             shall not be classified as accessory food                rule now provides that accessory food                 retail sales in (1) foods cooked or heated
                                             items exclusively based on packaging                     items include foods that are generally                on-site by the retailer, before or after
                                             size has been added in 7 CFR 271.2:                      considered snacks or desserts such as,                purchase; and (2) hot and/or cold
                                             ‘‘Items shall not be classified as                       but not limited to chips, ice cream,                  prepared foods not intended for home
                                             accessory food exclusively based on                      crackers, cupcakes, cookies, popcorn,                 preparation and consumption, including
                                             packaging size . . .’’ Small-portion                     pastries, and candy, and other food                   prepared foods that are consumed on
                                             packages of staple food items such as                    items that complement or supplement                   the premises or sold for carryout, shall
                                             apple slices, grapefruit cups, carrot                    meals, such as, but not limited to coffee,            not qualify for participation as retail
                                             sticks, cheese slices, celery sticks,                    tea, cocoa, carbonated and uncarbonated               food stores under Criterion A or B.
                                             yogurt cups, bags of nuts, and hummus                    drinks, condiments, spices, salt, and                    For example, a firm has $100,000 in
                                             will continue to be counted as staple                    sugar. The final rule further clarifies
                                                                                                                                                            total gross retail sales consisting of
                                             food items in their respective staple                    that items shall not be classified as
                                                                                                                                                            $60,000 (60%) in nonfood sales and
                                             food categories.                                         accessory food exclusively based on
                                                As described above, some                                                                                    $40,000 (40%) in food sales. The
                                                                                                      packaging size but rather based on the
                                             commenters recommended that FNS                                                                                proposed provision would have
                                                                                                      aforementioned definition and as
                                             avoid defining accessory food items and                                                                        considered only the food sales for the
                                                                                                      determined by FNS, consistent with the
                                             establish a comprehensive list of staple                                                                       purposes of the threshold. Under the
                                                                                                      guidance in this preamble and/or with
                                             food items and that the Agency further                                                                         proposed provision, therefore, this
                                                                                                      future guidance. Additionally, the final
                                             exclude unhealthy food items from                                                                              example firm would be considered a
                                                                                                      rule provides that a food product
                                             being classified as staple foods items.                                                                        restaurant if more than $6,000 (15% of
                                                                                                      containing an accessory food item as its
                                             While FNS appreciates the goals of such                  main ingredient shall be considered an                $40,000) of its sales came from the sale
                                             suggestions, creating a comprehensive                    accessory food item and that accessory                of food items that are were cooked or
                                             list of all staple food items is outside of              food items shall not be considered                    heated on-site, before or after purchase.
                                             the intended scope of the Agency’s                       staple foods for purposes of determining              The final provision, however, considers
                                             rulemaking action. Per research                          the eligibility of any firm. This                     total gross retail sales rather than only
                                             conducted by the USDA’s Economic                         provision will be implemented for all                 total food sales. Under this final
                                             Research Service (ERS), about 20,000                     new applicant firms and all firms                     provision, therefore, this example firm
                                             new food products are introduced into                    eligible for reinstatement 120 days after             could never be considered a restaurant
                                             the retail marketplace annually.                         the effective date of this final rule and             because more than 50% of the firm’s
                                             Therefore, the Agency does not believe                   365 days after the effective date of this             total gross retail sales come from
                                             it is practical to make an exhaustive list               final rule for all currently authorized               nonfood sales. Under this final
                                             of acceptable staple varieties. However,                 firms.                                                provision a firm with $100,000 in total
                                             to address concerns about excluding                                                                            gross retail sales could only be
                                             unhealthy foods items from being                         Definition of ‘‘Retail Food Store’’—85–               considered a restaurant and excluded
                                             classified as staple food items, FNS will                15% Prepared Foods Threshold                          from the Program if more than $50,000
                                             be amending the final rule to change                       This discretionary provision proposed               of its sales came from the sale of foods
                                             existing policy, which has limited                       to redefine ‘‘retail food store’’ so as to            cooked or heated on-site, before or after
                                             ‘‘accessory food items’’ to include only                 consider firms that had more than 15%                 purchase, and the sale of hot and/or
                                             the eight products explicitly                            of their total food sales coming from the             cold prepared foods not intended for
                                             enumerated in regulations at 7 CFR                       sale of food items that were cooked or                home preparation and consumption.
                                             271.2. Under existing policy a chocolate                 heated on-site, before or after purchase,                It should be noted that existing
                                             hazelnut spread (with the first three                    to be restaurants and to exclude such                 policy, the proposed rule, and the final
                                             listed ingredients of sugar, oil, and                    restaurants from the Program. Existing                rule do not impact the restaurants
                                                                                                      regulations at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(iv)                  authorized by SNAP State Agencies to
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             hazelnuts, in that order) can currently
                                             be considered a staple variety in the                    currently consider firms that have more               participate in the Restaurant Meals
                                             vegetables or fruits staple food category                than 50% of their total gross retail sales            Program (RMP). The RMP is a State-
                                             (i.e., hazelnuts), for example. The                      coming from items that are hot and/or                 option program active in only a handful
                                             accessory food items provision will                      cold prepared foods not intended for                  of States that allows eligible homeless,
                                             change this policy such that any food                    home preparation and consumption to                   disabled, and/or elderly SNAP
                                             product with an accessory food main                      be restaurants and exclude such                       recipients to use their SNAP benefits at


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00007   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                             90682            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                             participating restaurants to purchase                    customer use . . . however, does not monitor          organization which claims 37 million
                                             prepared meals.                                          its customers’ use of store microwaves and            members that advocates on behalf of
                                                Of the total 1,260 germane and non-                   does not have a practical method of doing so.         persons over 50, and one that is a non-
                                             duplicative public comments received,                    Any eligibility requirement which would               profit, health advocacy organization.
                                             513 comments, or about 41% of all                        impose on . . . stores a need to determine,              Several industry groups expressed
                                                                                                      with specificity, which items were heated by
                                             public comments, specifically addressed                  customers post-sale would constitute an
                                                                                                                                                            support for the concept of excluding
                                             this provision. About 48% of total                       unreasonable imposition, would unduly                 restaurants as well, but noted that the
                                             retailer commenters specifically                         disrupt its business and would discourage its         threshold set by the Agency was not set
                                             opposed this provision. Medical groups                   customers from using its microwaves. Such             appropriately in the proposed rule. As
                                             and governmental entities that                           monitoring could also have the unintended             noted by the international convenience
                                             commented on this provision were                         effect of customers deciding to shop                  store chain, ‘‘Without question, [our]
                                             generally divided and/or expressed                       elsewhere. [The company’s] stores, especially         stores are not ‘restaurants.’ Our stores
                                             mixed opinions. Industry trade groups,                   its franchisees, also lack the technological          do not have tables or chairs at which
                                             advocacy groups, and private citizens                    ability to collect and maintain such data.            our customers can eat and we do not
                                             that commented on this provision were                    Imposition of such a requirement would                employ servers. Our customers
                                                                                                      require each store to incur substantial
                                             generally opposed.                                       software-related costs and could require the
                                                                                                                                                            generally leave the store immediately
                                                Commenters identifying as retailers                   hiring of additional personnel if monitoring          after completing their purchases. None
                                             and trade associations generally pointed                 of customer activity for SNAP-eligibility             of our stores charge the higher sales tax
                                             out that a standard convenience store                    purposes is required.                                 on restaurant meals found in many
                                             typically has less than 85% of their total                                                                     jurisdictions. And heated items do not
                                             food sales coming from the sale of food                     SNAP authorized firms that primarily
                                                                                                                                                            constitute more than 50% of the food
                                             items that are not cooked or heated on-                  sell cold food and then offer to cook that
                                                                                                                                                            items sold in any of our stores.’’ A
                                             site before or after purchase. Such                      food on the premises for customers also
                                                                                                                                                            national, independent grocery trade
                                             commenters indicated that the average                    specifically opposed this provision. The              association which claims 1,200
                                             convenience store’s hot and/or cold                      owner of a SNAP authorized firm that                  members indicated support for this
                                             prepared foods sales, including sales of                 sells primarily prepared meat products                provision’s intent while noting that they
                                             foods that are cooked or heated on-site                  commented, ‘‘Unfortunately, I am                      ‘‘strongly urge the Agency to lower the
                                             before or after purchase, are closer to                  concerned that the FNS proposed rule                  proposed threshold.’’ Two State retailer
                                             40% of such firms’ total food sales, well                would jeopardize my future                            associations, one which claims to
                                             beyond the 15% threshold for such hot                    participation in SNAP. . . Currently,                 represent nearly 400 food retailers,
                                             and/or cold prepared foods sales,                        the business has more than 15% of the                 wholesalers, and suppliers and one
                                             including sales of foods that are cooked                 total food sales from items that are                  which claims to represent over 800
                                             or heated on-site before or after                        ‘cooked or heated on site before or after             corporate members operating more than
                                             purchase. Commenters opposing this                       purchase.’ ’’ An owner of a SNAP                      3,200 retail food stores, also shared this
                                             provision stated that this fact would                    authorized firm that primarily sells                  view. Another national trade association
                                             cause the entire convenience store                       pizza, stated opposition to this                      federation of 47 State and regional trade
                                             industry to be categorically ineligible for              provision and noted that, ‘‘All of our                associations which claims to represent
                                             SNAP authorization.                                      customers are required to pay $1 more                 approximately 8,000 independent
                                                Many advocacy groups also expressed                   than our posted take-n-bake prices on                 petroleum marketers’ nationwide
                                             opposition to this provision, noting that                our menus regardless of method of                     quoted the suggestion of one of their
                                             this provision could have a deleterious                  payment to bake their take-n-bake pizza               members that the threshold be set at
                                             impact on food access for SNAP                           for them. For SNAP cardholders, the                   ‘‘25% of sites’ total gross sales instead
                                             households. One national, anti-hunger                    products MUST still be unbaked at the                 of 15% of total food sales.’’
                                             advocacy group noted that, ‘‘We remain                   point we swipe their card. [sic]’’                       Other commenters noted that existing
                                             concerned about access for low-income                       Supporters of this provision, namely               regulations at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(iv)
                                             consumers, particularly in food desert                   medical groups and State and local                    already prohibit the authorization of
                                             areas, and for all shoppers with mobility                governmental entities, argue that                     restaurants with 50% of their gross sales
                                             issues, such as those who are elderly,                   removing restaurants from the Program                 in prepared foods intended for home
                                             have disabilities, and/or lack affordable                will benefit SNAP households by                       consumption and saw this proposed
                                             transportation. We caution the                           eliminating a cost-ineffective source of              provision as redundant and excessive.
                                             Department against setting a threshold                   calorie-dense and nutrient-poor food.                 As the international chain of
                                             that would cause stores to drop out of                   One health commission director,                       convenience stores commented, ‘‘FNS’s
                                             SNAP and lessen food access,                             representing a city of 600,000 with                   current regulation regarding retailer
                                             particularly for these particular SNAP                   about 200 SNAP authorized firms,                      eligibility provides a clear, common
                                             consumers.’’                                             commented, ‘‘We support the effort to                 sense distinction between retail food
                                                Some retailers also noted that                        uphold the original intent of SNAP to                 stores (which have less than 50% of
                                             determining and documenting what                         purchase food items intended for home                 total sales in hot or cold prepared,
                                             SNAP household customers did with                        preparation and consumption . . . The                 ready-to-eat foods for immediate
                                             cold food after purchase would be                        proposed rule adds an additional                      consumption) and restaurants (which
                                             impractical, especially for a firm with                  requirement that at least 85 percent of               have more than 50% of total sales in hot
                                             an accessible microwave or other                         an entity’s total food sales must be for              or cold prepared, ready-to-eat foods for
                                             heating element. As noted in comments                    items that are not cooked or heated                   immediate consumption).’’
                                                                                                      onsite before or after purchase. These                   As stated in the proposed rule, the
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             from the international chain of
                                             convenience stores:                                      enhancements will help ensure that                    Agency’s intent in proposing this
                                                                                                      SNAP retailers offer and sell a variety of            provision was to eliminate restaurants
                                             . . . the determination of whether an eligible
                                             food product constitutes a food heated on-               foods consistent with the language                    which circumvented Congressional
                                             site, post-purchase is not always easy to                defining a ‘retail food store’ ’’. This               intent and achieved SNAP authorization
                                             determine. Each . . . store contains a                   position was also echoed by two                       by selling food cold and offering to cook
                                             publicly available microwave available for               national advocacy associations, one an                or heat it on the premises after the sale.


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00008   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                        90683

                                             For example, a firm accepts SNAP                         cooked or heated on-site before or after              frozen burritos and packages of
                                             benefits as payment for the purchase of                  purchase, and/or intended for                         popcorn) for sale and self-service
                                             unpackaged, cold, breaded chicken                        immediate consumption (‘‘Foodservice’’                microwaves for customer use. FNS
                                             strips. After making such a sale, the firm               constitutes 20.90% of total inside sales              agrees that is it neither feasible, nor
                                             then offers to fry this chicken for SNAP                 and about 6.64% of total gross sales).                desirable that firms be required to
                                             customers at the cost of one dollar in                      Based on this data, it appears that                monitor customers’ usage of self-service
                                             cash. Such a firm is taking advantage of                 excluding firms with more than 15% of                 microwaves. Under this final provision
                                             a loophole in order to sell hot food and                 their food sales in foods cooked or                   microwaveable food products will not
                                             operate as a restaurant within the                       heated on-site before or after purchase               be considered foods cooked or heated
                                             Program. The Agency still believes that                  would render the average convenience                  on-site before or after purchase simply
                                             firms that primarily sell seafood, pizza,                store ineligible to participate in the                because they could be heated after
                                             and other food products cold and then                    Program. Furthermore, given that hot                  purchase using a self-service microwave
                                             offer to heat or cook these products on                  and/or cold prepared foods, including                 and eaten on-site. The final provision
                                             the premises are operating as                            foods cooked or heated on-site before or              specifies that this prepared food
                                             restaurants, not retail food stores. The                 after purchase, constitutes                           threshold will consider those food
                                             intent of this proposed provision was to                 approximately 6.63% of total gross                    products that are cooked or heated ‘‘by
                                             correct shortcomings in the existing                     sales, this data indicates that a                     the retailer’’. Such language excludes
                                             regulatory language that have allowed                    convenience store with more than 50%                  self-service microwaves from
                                             for the authorization of these types of                  of its total gross sales issuing from the             consideration under this provision. The
                                             ‘‘you-buy-we-fry’’-style restaurants and                 sale of hot and/or cold prepared foods                purpose of this provision is to prevent
                                             pizza restaurants.                                       is very far outside of industry norms as              certain types of take-out restaurants
                                                                                                      such sales figures would represent a                  from continuing to circumvent
                                                FNS reviewed and considered
                                                                                                      nearly eightfold greater sales amount in              Congressional intent to exclude hot food
                                             industry data in response to the
                                                                                                      hot and/or cold prepared foods over the               and restaurants from SNAP. While
                                             concerns from commenters that the 85–
                                                                                                      average convenience store.                            many small format retail food stores
                                             15% threshold would have the                                In light of the comments and data,                 may offer some hot and/or cold
                                             unintended effect of precluding small-                   FNS recognizes that this provision, if                prepared foods, including foods that are
                                             format retail stores with marginal sales                 implemented as proposed, would likely                 cooked or heated on-site by the retailer
                                             in foods cooked or heated on-site, before                have sweeping and unintended                          before or after purchase, for sale, FNS
                                             or after purchase. According to the                      consequences for smaller format firms.                does not expect this provision to affect
                                             National Association of Convenience                      The Agency never intended for this                    convenience stores or similar small
                                             Stores (NACS) State of the Industry                      provision to categorically preclude                   format retail food stores as such hot
                                             (SOI) 2015 Annual Report (NACS State                     convenience stores and other small                    and/or cold prepared foods typically
                                             of the Industry Annual Report                            retail food stores with marginal sales in             constitute less than 7% of total gross
                                             Convenience and Fuel Retailing Totals,                   foods cooked or heated on-site, before or             sales for the average convenience store
                                             Trends and Analysis of 2015 Industry                     after purchase, from SNAP                             as indicated by industry data, per the
                                             Data) the average convenience store’s                    participation. The stated purpose of this             aforementioned data in the NACS SOI
                                             total gross sales are divided between                    provision was to realign SNAP                         2015 Annual Report. While this
                                             68.22% outside (i.e., fuel) sales and                    regulations with statutory intent and                 provision is unlikely to affect the vast
                                             31.78% inside (i.e., foodservice and                     exclude restaurants from SNAP.                        majority of retailers, it closes existing
                                             merchandise) sales. The inside sales of                     Therefore, the Agency is narrowing                 loopholes that allowed restaurants to
                                             the average convenience store include                    the scope of this provision in the final              participate in the Program. This
                                             35.93% cigarette and other tobacco                       rule and is instead amending existing                 provision will be implemented for all
                                             sales, 7.21% beer sales, 0.87% health                    regulations at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(iv) to               retailers 120 days after the effective date
                                             and beauty sales. The remaining 55.99%                   specifically exclude from SNAP                        of this final rule.
                                             of inside sales (or about 17.79% of total                participation firms with more than 50
                                             gross sales) are food sales (including                   percent of their total gross sales in (1)             Definition of ‘‘Retail Food Store’’—Co-
                                             9.22% of inside sales listed under ‘‘All                 foods cooked or heated on-site by the                 Located Firms
                                             Other’’). Of these food sales, about                     retailer before or after purchase; and (2)               This discretionary provision proposed
                                             37.33% come from ‘‘Foodservice.’’                        hot and/or cold prepared foods not                    to redefine the term ‘‘retail food store’’
                                             ‘‘Foodservice,’’ as used in the NACS SOI                 intended for home preparation or                      such that multiple co-located businesses
                                             2015 Annual Report, includes                             consumption, including prepared foods                 sharing certain commonalities would be
                                             ‘‘Prepared Food,’’ ‘‘Commissary/                         that are consumed on the premises or                  treated as one firm for the purposes of
                                             Packaged Sandwiches,’’ ‘‘Hot Dispensed                   sold for carryout. Conforming edits were              the Program. As proposed, these
                                             Beverages,’’ ‘‘Cold Dispensed                            also made to 7 CFR 271.2 to the                       commonalities included the sale of
                                             Beverages,’’ and ‘‘Frozen Dispensed                      definition of ‘‘retail food store.’’ This             similar foods, single management
                                             Beverages’’ and is defined as follows:                   change to existing regulations will close             structure, shared space, logistics, bank
                                             ‘‘Foodservice appears in many different                  the existing loophole and align SNAP                  accounts, employees, and/or inventory.
                                             forms in the convenience store channel.                  regulations with Congressional intent to              In the proposed rule, FNS specifically
                                             In some cases, it’s a coffee program and                 exclude hot food and restaurants from                 sought comments pertaining to any
                                             a soda fountain, in some it’s a roller grill             SNAP, while achieving the Agency’s                    unintended adverse effects of this
                                             and a condiment bar, and at the other                    stated objectives and addressing                      proposed change and based on the
                                             end of the spectrum it’s a full-blown                                                                          comments that were received this
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                                                                      concerns that the proposed provision
                                             made-to-order quick-serve restaurant                     might adversely affect SNAP-authorized                provision was modified to specify that
                                             (QSR) or a well-known branded                            firms, such as convenience stores, that               co-located businesses will be treated as
                                             franchise location.’’ Based on this                      do not operate as restaurants.                        one firm by FNS only if they share all
                                             definition, ‘‘Foodservice’’ sales appear                    This provision was never intended to               of the three following attributes: (1)
                                             to include primarily the sale of hot and/                exclude from the Program firms that                   Ownership; (2) sale of similar or same
                                             or cold prepared foods, including foods                  offer both microwaveable products (e.g.,              food products; and (3) shared inventory.


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00009   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                             90684            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                This proposed provision received a                    same personnel, operate in the same                   comments, in the final rule this depth
                                             moderate number of comments. Of the                      space, draw from the same inventory,                  of stock requirement has been halved to
                                             total 1,260 germane and non-duplicative                  and handle their finances through the                 a minimum of three stocking units per
                                             public comments received, 228                            same accounting mechanisms. The only                  staple food variety. When combined
                                             comments, or approximately 18% of all                    difference between the two businesses                 with the increases in the number of
                                             public comments, specifically addressed                  in this example is that the former does               varieties required per staple food
                                             this provision. About 22% of total                       not accept SNAP EBT cards as a form                   category per the breadth of stock
                                             retailer commenters specifically                         of payment at its designated cash                     provision of the rule, the proposed
                                             opposed this provision. Medical groups                   register, while the latter does. Firms                depth of stock provision would have
                                             that commented on this provision were                    obtaining SNAP authorization through                  required a minimum stock for certain
                                             generally divided and/or expressed                       such a superficial bifurcation of their               SNAP authorized retailers of 168 items,
                                             mixed opinions while private citizens                    businesses are clearly circumventing                  while under the final rule this depth of
                                             that commented on this provision were                    regulatory and statutory intent to                    stock provision requires 84 items.
                                             generally supportive. Industry trade                     exclude restaurants from the Program in                  Of the total 1,260 germane and non-
                                             groups and advocacy groups that                          order to sell their food, in this example,            duplicative public comments received,
                                             commented on this provision were                         pizzas. This provision was proposed in                490 comments, or approximately 39% of
                                             generally opposed. Support for or                        order to close this loophole.                         all public comments, specifically
                                             opposition to this provision was almost                     It was never the Agency’s intent to                addressed this provision. About 91% of
                                             universally concomitant with support                     treat multiple businesses as one firm                 commenters that addressed this
                                             for or opposition to the 85–15%                          because such businesses simply share a                proposed provision opposed it. About
                                             prepared foods threshold provision.                      roof and an owner. The Agency’s intent                47% of total retailer commenters
                                                Commenters opposing this provision                    in the proposed provision was not to                  specifically opposed this provision.
                                             point out that, in conjunction with the                  consider multiple businesses operating                Medical groups that commented on this
                                             85–15% prepared foods threshold                          within one truck stop or strip mall as a              provision were generally supportive
                                             provision, this provision would                          single firm even if they shared some                  while government entities, private
                                             eliminate from the Program any                           commonalities, such as management                     citizens, and advocacy organizations
                                             convenience store co-branded and co-                     and personnel, so long as they were not               that commented on this provision were
                                             located with a fast food business. The                   also engaged in other common practices                generally divided and/or expressed
                                             idea of unifying multiple businesses                     as well, such as selling similar or the               mixed opinions.
                                             operating ‘‘under one roof’’ for purposes                same products drawn from the same                        Most retailers and industry groups
                                             of SNAP authorization was criticized by                  inventory. In the commenter’s example,                opposed this provision on the grounds
                                             trade groups and retailers who stated                    therefore, the presence of a fast food                that the volume of products required by
                                             that convenience stores and other small                  restaurant at a travel plaza would not be             the proposed depth and breadth of stock
                                             format retail food stores operating in                   likely to have any bearing on the SNAP                provisions (i.e., 168 total items) are
                                             shopping malls, travel plazas, strip                     authorization status of a convenience                 untenable, as proposed, for small-scale
                                             malls, truck stops, and other shared                     store located in the same travel plaza.               firms to store, display, and stock. As a
                                             structures could face elimination from                      FNS appreciates the comments from                  representative of an American drug
                                             the Program due to their proximity to a                  stakeholders and other members of the                 store chain which claims over 8,000
                                             totally unaffiliated fast food restaurant.               public that highlight the vagueness and               locations, about 7,000 of which are
                                             For example, the national truck stop                     possible unintended effects of the                    SNAP authorized firms, notes, ‘‘Since
                                             retailer trade association commented,                    proposed provision. In response to these              the 168 items must be continually
                                             ‘‘As a practical matter, this rule would                 comments, FNS has clarified and                       stocked, a retailer must, in reality, stock
                                             result in scenarios where [our]                          narrowed this provision in the final                  far more than 168 items to replace any
                                             members’ convenience stores would be                     rule. As it is written in the final rule at           items that are sold. If a retailer only
                                             ineligible to participate in SNAP simply                 7 CFR 271.2, co-located businesses will               stocks the required 168 items, they run
                                             because they operate adjacent to a                       be treated as one firm by FNS only if                 the risk of non-compliance with Depth
                                             separate restaurant. This is arbitrary and               they share all of the three following                 of Stock requirements each time an item
                                             contrary to the Program’s objectives.’’                  attributes: (1) Ownership; (2) sale of                is sold. We request FNS further clarify
                                             Overall opposed commenters noted that                    similar or same food products; and (3)                this concern.’’ Other commenters
                                             this provision was overly broad and                      shared inventory. This revision clarifies             echoed this concern, stating that they
                                             could result in the unfair treatment of                  the vagueness in the proposed language                feared the loss of SNAP authorization
                                             numerous discrete businesses.                            and limits the provision’s potential                  could occur as the result of selling a
                                                The Agency proposed this provision                    effects in keeping with its intent. This              single item immediately prior to an FNS
                                             to close a loophole that allows firms to                 provision will be implemented for all                 inspection.
                                             obtain SNAP authorization in                             retailers 120 days after the effective date              Under existing regulations at 7 CFR
                                             contravention of clear statutory intent to               of this final rule.                                   278.1(a), FNS may require an applicant
                                             exclude restaurants from the Program.                                                                          firm to submit to an inspection, or store
                                             For example, a firm applying for SNAP                    Definition of ‘‘Retail Food Store’’—                  visit, as a part of the SNAP
                                             authorization purports to operate two                    Depth of Stock                                        authorization process. FNS understands
                                             businesses within one building. The                         This discretionary provision proposed              that firms may sell out of certain
                                             first business sells hot pizza, is                       to address depth of stock by establishing             products or experience temporary
                                             considered a restaurant by FNS, and is,                  a minimum of six stocking units per                   disruptions to their supply chain and
                                                                                                      staple food variety which certain SNAP                that such occurrences may result in
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             therefore, ineligible for SNAP
                                             authorization. The second business sells                 authorized firms must offer for sale and              stocking shortfalls at the time of an
                                             only cold pizza and is, therefore,                       normally display in a public area on a                Agency store visit. If a firm has
                                             eligible for SNAP authorization under                    continuous basis. This provision                      insufficient food stocked on hand at the
                                             Criterion B. Both businesses sell the                    received a high number of adverse                     time of this store visit, this does not
                                             same product, are managed and owned                      comments as proposed. Based on the                    necessarily preclude the firm from
                                             by the same individuals, employ the                      strength of the arguments made in these               receiving SNAP authorization. Under


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00010   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                       90685

                                             existing regulations at 7 CFR                            (3 stocking units · 7 staple varieties · 4            failure. Neither the proposed rule, nor
                                             278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A), if it is not clear that              staple food categories = 84 units).                   the final rule change this fact. This
                                             the firm met the stocking requirements                   Generally Agency determinations of                    matter is further examined in the final
                                             at the time of a store visit, FNS may                    eligibility under Criterion A are guided              rule’s RFA and RIA. A civil penalty (i.e.,
                                             offer applicant firms the opportunity to                 by store visit documentation of food                  a civil money penalty or civil monetary
                                             demonstrate their compliance with such                   items that are being offered for sale and             penalty) may be applied in lieu of a
                                             requirements through the submission of                   displayed in a public area at the time of             period of disqualification when a SNAP
                                             supporting documentation, such as                        store visits. So, for example, if a firm is           authorized retailer violates SNAP rules
                                             invoices or receipts, indicating that the                subject to a store visit on the 22nd of               (e.g., sale of cigarettes, tobacco, or
                                             firm had recently ordered or received                    January and is found to have only 83 of               alcohol for SNAP benefits).
                                             the required staple foods prior to the                   the required 84 units on hand, then that                 Another objection raised to this
                                             store visit.                                             firm may be afforded the opportunity to               provision pertained to food waste. Some
                                                In order to address the concerns and                  provide FNS with supporting                           commenters posited that the increase in
                                             confusion of the commenters, the final                   documentation. In this case one                       the number of staple food categories in
                                             rule retains and clarifies the language at               acceptable form of supporting                         which perishable food items are
                                             7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A) that affords                    documentation would be                                required (a statutorily mandated
                                             firms the opportunity to submit                          documentation of order or purchase                    increase from two to three staple food
                                             supporting documentation in the case of                  (e.g., an invoice) verifying that the firm            categories) coupled with this depth of
                                             certain stocking shortfalls at the time of               placed an order for food stock,                       stock requirement would result in
                                             an Agency store visit. Additionally, the                 including the missing required unit, that             spoilage, waste, and exorbitant costs to
                                             final rule specifies that such supporting                is dated no earlier than the 1st of                   retailers. As noted by a representative of
                                             documentation must be dated within 21                    January and no later than the time of the             a convenience store distributor
                                             days of the store visit. This timeframe of               store visit on the 22nd of January.                   company that professes to service over
                                             21 calendar days, or three weeks,                        Another acceptable form of supporting                 1,000 retail food stores in six States,
                                             reflects the need for retailers to stock                 documentation would be                                ‘‘For many non-perishable items, if
                                             perishable staple foods on a continuous                  documentation of receipt or delivery                  [convenience stores] do not sell to the
                                             basis. Existing SNAP regulations at 7                    (e.g., a receipt) verifying that the firm             consumer by their expiration date, we
                                             CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(B) define ‘‘perishable               received an order of food stock,                      can send those products back to the
                                             foods’’ as items that ‘‘will spoil or suffer             including the missing required unit, that             manufacturer who will provide certain
                                             significant deterioration in quality                     is dated no earlier than the 1st of                   types of refunds or will replace product.
                                             within 2–3 weeks.’’ This language in 7                   January and no later than the time of the             This practice only applies to select
                                             CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A) should not be                     store visit on the 22nd of January. If the            nonperishables and DOES NOT [sic]
                                             construed as allowing retailers to submit                firm in this example was able to provide              apply to most products stipulated under
                                             receipts or invoices to FNS instead of                   an acceptable form of supporting                      the revised FNS rules for SNAP.
                                             having sufficient stock on hand; the                     documentation to verify that the firm                 Perishable items are NEVER [sic]
                                             purpose of this language is to                           stocks the required staple food items on              refunded by the manufacturer after the
                                             acknowledge the realities of the retail                  a continuous basis (84 items), then the               expiration date, so the cost of spoilage
                                             marketplace and provide stores that                      firm would be authorized to participate               on those products is borne completely
                                             stock sufficient food on a continuous                                                                          by the retailer.’’ Under the proposed
                                                                                                      in SNAP. However, if, for example, a
                                             basis some degree of flexibility. The                                                                          rule this depth of stock provision would
                                                                                                      firm had 0 of the required 84 units on
                                             Agency has amended language in this                                                                            require a minimum of 18 perishable
                                                                                                      hand at the time of store visit, then that
                                             provision at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A) to                                                                       food items, while in the final rule this
                                                                                                      firm would not be given the opportunity
                                             provide that, ‘‘Documentation to                                                                               depth of stock provision requires a
                                                                                                      to submit supporting documentation
                                             determine if a firm stocks a sufficient                                                                        minimum of nine perishable food items
                                                                                                      and would instead be denied SNAP
                                             amount of required staple foods to offer                                                                       where ‘‘perishable’’ is defined by
                                                                                                      authorization. Such a result clearly
                                             them for sale on a continuous basis may                                                                        existing regulations at 7 CFR
                                                                                                      demonstrates the firm has not made a
                                             be required in cases where it is not clear                                                                     278.1(b)(1)(ii)(B) to include frozen,
                                                                                                      reasonable restocking effort.
                                             that the requirement has been met. Such                                                                        fresh, refrigerated, and unrefrigerated
                                             documentation can be achieved through                       Some commenters stated that the                    food products ‘‘that will spoil or suffer
                                             verifying information, when requested                    failure to meet the stocking                          significant deterioration in quality
                                             by FNS, such as invoices and receipts in                 requirements of this provision at the                 within 2–3 weeks’’ such as loaves of
                                             order to prove that the firm had                         time of a store visit would result in                 bread and potatoes.
                                             purchased and stocked a sufficient                       substantial costs to firms due to the                    Another common objection raised to
                                             amount of required staple foods up to 21                 thousands of dollars in fines FNS would               this provision pertained to space and
                                             calendar days prior to the date of the                   levy against such firms as penalties for              stocking logistics. Some commenters
                                             store visit.’’                                           failing to meet stocking requirements.                argued that, in conjunction with the
                                                Under this final rule firms that are                  Under existing regulations, a firm that               breadth of stock provision, this depth of
                                             SNAP authorized under Criterion A                        fails to meet current stocking                        stock provision would require stocking
                                             must offer for sale and display in a                     requirements is denied SNAP                           a quantity of food items that simply
                                             public area (e.g., on store shelves)                     authorization or withdrawn from the                   exceed the available shelf space at most
                                             qualifying staple food items on a                        Program. Once denied or withdrawn,                    small format retail food stores. Some
                                             continuous basis, evidenced by having                    such a firm must wait six months to                   commenters also posited that the
                                                                                                      reapply for SNAP authorization. FNS
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             no fewer than seven different varieties                                                                        quantity of perishable food items
                                             of food items in each of the four staple                 does not levy fines against retailers who             required by this rule would force small-
                                             food categories with a minimum depth                     are denied or withdrawn from the                      format firms to purchase additional
                                             of stock of three stocking units for each                Program on the basis of failing to meet               refrigerator or freezer units for storage.
                                             staple variety. This means that, on any                  the stocking requirements as no statute               The regional chain of convenience
                                             given day of operations, such a firm                     or regulations currently authorizes FNS               stores which claims over 600 locations,
                                             should offer a total of 84 units for sale                to levy fines against retailers for such a            about 550 of which are SNAP


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00011   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                             90686            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                             authorized firms, also noted that their                  additional shelf space needed is likely                  The proposed rule would have
                                             ‘‘current stocking needs and inventory                   to be well below these estimates.                     increased the required depth and
                                             management systems [cannot] guarantee                       Since the average small-format SNAP                breadth of staple food stock while
                                             a minimum of six units at all times for                  authorized firm already stocks most of                simultaneously expanding the list of
                                             each of the relevant staple foods. At                    the items required under this final rule,             accessory foods excluded from the
                                             very least, we would need to revise our                  FNS contends that this provision, and                 definition of ‘‘staple foods’’ and
                                             planograms and general merchandising                     all of the stocking provisions as a whole,            excluding multiple ingredient food
                                             strategies, and revisit our hardware and                 will have a negligible impact on                      items from the definition of ‘‘staple
                                             software applications.’’                                 retailers from a spatial and logistical               foods.’’ According to some comments
                                                As discussed in the RIA and RFA,                      perspective. FNS does not anticipate                  received, taken together, these four
                                             estimates of the final rule’s impacts on                 that requiring firms to utilize a fraction            provisions would constitute an
                                             retailers are based on an analysis of a                  of a shelf to stock an additional 24 items            unreasonably burdensome stocking
                                             nationally representative sample of                      will necessitate any major changes to                 requirement for small format retailers.
                                             1,392 SNAP authorized small-format                       the planograms or general                             The Agency acknowledges commenters’
                                             firms using data gathered by FNS during                  merchandising strategies of the average               concerns about the overall impact of the
                                             store inspections, or store visits. Based                small-format retailer.                                various provisions in this final rule on
                                             on this analysis FNS estimates that the                     Certain industry groups, such as that              small format retailers. However, the
                                             average small-format SNAP authorized                     national food retail trade association,               Agency also agrees with the comments
                                             firm already stocks over 70% of the                      had questions regarding the definition                from some State/local governmental
                                             stock needed to meet the requirements                    of ‘‘stocking unit’’ and requested further            entities and medical groups that having
                                             of this final rule and the average small-                clarification. Per commenters’ requests,              a depth of stock requirement would
                                             format SNAP authorized firm will only                    a list of examples has been added in                  increase the likelihood of healthy staple
                                             need to stock an additional 24 items.                    Section IV of this document which                     food options being available to SNAP
                                             Moreover, this analysis indicated that                   provides a more complete illustrative,                recipients. Therefore, FNS is addressing
                                             over 98% of small-format SNAP                            but not exhaustive, examination of what               depth of stock by establishing a depth
                                             authorized firms currently stock at least                constitutes a stocking unit, and what                 of stock provision, but amending the
                                             nine perishable staple food items and,                   does not constitute a stocking unit for               provision at 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A) by
                                             therefore, that the overwhelming                         the purposes of this depth of stock                   reducing the required number of
                                             majority of small-format SNAP                            provision.                                            stocking units from the proposed six
                                             authorized firms will not need to stock                     State and local government entities as             units to three units for each staple food
                                             any additional perishable items to meet                                                                        variety in this final rule. Conforming
                                                                                                      well as medical and advocacy groups
                                             the requirements in this final rule.                                                                           edits were also made to 7 CFR 271.2 to
                                                                                                      largely supported this provision,
                                                                                                                                                            the definition of ‘‘retail food store’’. As
                                                Moreover, as discussed in the RFA,                    arguing that it would ensure the
                                                                                                                                                            a result of this change the costs and
                                             the Agency has analyzed examples of                      availability of staple food items on the
                                                                                                                                                            burdens associated with compliance,
                                             stocking units of qualifying staple food                 shelves of SNAP authorized firms. One
                                                                                                                                                            perishable spoilage, and shelf space
                                             varieties to determine the shelf space                   State public health official, representing
                                                                                                                                                            have all been significantly reduced, as
                                             that will be occupied by the 84 required                 a State with a population of 38.8 million
                                                                                                                                                            reflected in the RIA and RFA. This
                                             items. The Agency estimates that the 84                  that includes over 25,500 SNAP
                                                                                                                                                            provision will be implemented for all
                                             items required under the final rule                      authorized firms, noted that this
                                                                                                                                                            new applicant firms and all firms
                                             would occupy approximately 7,500                         provision would help by ‘‘increasing the              eligible for reinstatement 120 days after
                                             cubic inches. These 84 items would                       likelihood that these foods will be                   the effective date of this final rule and
                                             occupy about 5.6 square feet of non-                     available to SNAP participants on an                  365 days after the effective date of this
                                             refrigerated shelf space. Assuming                       ongoing basis’’ and a city health                     final rule for all currently authorized
                                             stores choose to display these non-                      department representing 8.5 million                   firms.
                                             refrigerated items in a standard manner                  people and over 10,000 SNAP
                                             (i.e., cans of fruit cocktail are shelved                authorized firms, noted that, in concert              Definition of ‘‘Retail Food Store’’—
                                             three items deep on the shelf) the                       with other provisions, this provision                 Breadth of Stock
                                             Agency estimates that these non-                         would increase ‘‘the overall diversity of               As explained in the preamble to the
                                             refrigerated items would occupy less                     foods stocked on a continuous basis’’.                proposed rule, the 2014 Farm Bill
                                             than two full shelves on standard three-                    On the other hand, several retailer                amended the Act to increase the number
                                             shelf wall shelving unit (84″ height x                   and industry group commenters stated                  of staple food varieties required per
                                             48″ length x 16″ depth). While FNS                       that the proposed number of required                  staple food category from three to seven
                                             estimates that the refrigerated items                    stocking units was simply too great for               and to increase the staple food
                                             would require about 4.3 linear feet of                   small format retailers and recommended                categories required to contain at least
                                             refrigerated shelf space (where a                        scaling back the number of stocking                   one perishable variety from two to three.
                                             refrigerated shelf has a standard 48″                    units required. The petroleum                         The proposed rule sought to codify
                                             width), 98 percent of small SNAP-                        marketers’ trade association federation               these mandatory requirements from the
                                             authorized firms already stock sufficient                recommended that, ‘‘[to] help the small               2014 Farm Bill. This proposed breadth
                                             perishable items to meet the perishables                 retailer the depth of stock should be cut             of stock provision received a moderate
                                             requirement. Therefore, FNS considers                    to three items of each of the seven                   number of largely supportive or mixed
                                             it unlikely that these stores will need                  varieties in each staple group’’. Another             comments. Of the total 1,260 germane
                                             additional refrigerated space beyond                     State grocer association, which                       and non-duplicative public comments
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             their current capacity. Furthermore, as                  professes to represent about 400 retailer             received, 482 comments, or
                                             our analysis indicates that most stores                  members, recommended that                             approximately 38% of total public
                                             will need to add far fewer than 84 items                 ‘‘[reconsideration] of six different units            comments, specifically addressed the
                                             to meet the combined stocking                            of any food item in a store at any given              increase from three to seven varieties
                                             requirements of this rule (24 additional                 time should also be made, dropping that               and 288 comments, or about 23% of
                                             items for the average store); the                        requirement to a lower number.’’                      total public comments, specifically


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00012   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                       90687

                                             addressed the increase from two to three                 at an affordable cost as barriers to stock            struggle to meet the stocking
                                             categories containing at least one                       seven varieties of dairy.’’                           requirements of this final rule and FNS
                                             perishable variety. About 56% of                            FNS acknowledges the difficulties in               only expects to consider ‘‘need for
                                             comments that specifically addressed                     reaching seven varieties in certain staple            access’’ for small format retailers. The
                                             the increase from three to seven                         food categories. FNS has amended the                  purpose of this provision, therefore, is
                                             varieties supported this change while                    final rule to address this concern, along             to provide a mechanism to safeguard
                                             approximately 39% were mixed and                         with other comments specifically                      food access for SNAP recipients
                                             about 5% opposed this change.                            regarding acceptable varieties in the                 especially when an isolated or
                                             Approximately 90% of comments that                       four staple food categories, as explained             underserved community relies heavily
                                             specifically addressed the increase from                 in the section on ‘‘Definition of ‘Staple             on small format retail food stores for its
                                             two to three staple food categories                      Food’—Acceptable Varieties in the Four                grocery shopping needs.
                                             containing at least one perishable                       Staple Food Categories.’’ However,                       FNS understands that small
                                             variety supported this change while                      because the Act requires that stores                  businesses, such as independent
                                             about 8% opposed this change and                         authorized under Criterion A stock                    convenience stores, play a vital role in
                                             approximately 2% were mixed. Overall                     seven varieties in each of the four staple            the life of all Americans. These small
                                             less than 1% of total retailer                           food categories and at least one variety              businesses enrich both urban and rural
                                             commenters specifically opposed this                     of perishables in three of those staple               communities by providing economic
                                             provision. Medical groups, private                       food categories; this breadth of stock                prosperity, employment opportunities,
                                             citizens, and advocacy groups that                       requirement remains unchanged in the                  and sustainable growth. Very often
                                             commented on this provision were                         final rule. Conforming edits were also                small format retail food stores are the
                                             generally supportive while government                    made to 7 CFR 271.2 to the definition                 only venue available in isolated or
                                             entities and industry trade groups that                  of ‘‘retail food store’’ and 7                        underserved areas. When drafting this
                                             commented on this provision were                         CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(A) to reflect the new             final rule FNS carefully considered the
                                             generally divided and/or expressed                       breadth of stock requirement. This                    comments from the U.S. Small Business
                                             mixed opinions. This provision was                       provision will be implemented for all                 Association Office of Advocacy, as well
                                             included in the final rule as proposed.                  new applicant firms and all firms                     as the comments submitted by retailers,
                                                Some governmental, medical, and                       eligible for reinstatement 120 days after             trade associations, and other
                                             advocate commenters believed that this                   the effective date of this final rule and             commenting entities. Concerns
                                                                                                      365 days after the effective date of this             expressed regarding proposed
                                             provision did not go far enough to
                                                                                                      final rule for all currently authorized               provisions were incorporated into this
                                             ensure that SNAP authorized firms
                                                                                                      firms.                                                final rule to minimize potential adverse
                                             stocked sufficient nutritious food
                                                                                                                                                            impacts on small businesses. In addition
                                             options. Such commenters noted that                      Definition of ‘‘Firm’’                                to these changes, this need for access
                                             the SNAP four staple food categories                        This discretionary provision proposed              provision additionally accommodates
                                             have not kept pace with changes to the                   to define ‘‘firm’’ so as to clarify that it           small businesses and serves as a hedge
                                             USDA’s nutritional recommendations,                      also includes retailers, entities, and                against potential loss of food access.
                                             now represented by MyPlate. Such                         stores. Only one comment, a joint                        With respect to this need for access
                                             commenters suggested that the                            comment submitted by the international                provision the preamble to the proposed
                                             vegetables or fruits staple food category                convenience store trade association and               rule stated that ‘‘FNS will consider
                                             should be split into two separate staple                 the petroleum marketers’ trade                        factors such as distance from the nearest
                                             food categories—the fruit staple food                    association, specifically addressed this              SNAP authorized retailer, transportation
                                             category and the vegetable staple food                   provision. No other retailer commenters               options to other SNAP authorized
                                             category. Such commenters went on to                     specifically opposed this provision.                  retailer locations, the gap between a
                                             argue that seven varieties should be                        The one comment that addressed this                store’s stock and SNAP required stock
                                             required for both of these staple food                   provision opposed it, stating that ‘‘[to]             for authorized eligibility, and whether
                                             categories (for a total requirement of 14                conflate ‘store’ with ‘firm’ may have far-            the store furthers the purpose of the
                                             fruit and vegetable staple food varieties).              reaching ramifications in terms of                    Program.’’
                                             However, the current four staple food                    licensing, enforcement and other                         In the proposed rule, FNS specifically
                                             categories are statutorily-mandated in                   policies’’ and further added that                     requested comments from the public to
                                             Section 3(q)(1) of the Act and the                       ‘‘[conflating] all of these terms will only           help FNS refine the factors used to
                                             suggestion of breaking the four staple                   introduce confusion and lead to                       determine whether a retailer is located
                                             food categories into five categories                     unintended results’’. The purpose of                  in an area with significantly limited
                                             would exceed the Agency’s statutory                      this provision is to clarify and unify                access to food. This provision received
                                             authority.                                               terms that are currently used                         few comments. Of the total 1,260
                                                There were other commenters who                       interchangeably throughout current                    germane and non-duplicative public
                                             stated that they expected that retailers                 SNAP regulations. Therefore, the                      comments received, 48 comments, or
                                             would have difficulty reaching seven                     provision at 7 CFR 271.2 remains                      about 4% of total public comments,
                                             different varieties in the meat, poultry,                unchanged in the final rule. This                     specifically addressed this provision.
                                             or fish and the dairy products staple                    provision will be implemented on the                  About 71% of comments that
                                             food categories. As one city mayor,                      effective date of this final rule.                    specifically addressed this provision
                                             representing a city of 600,000 residents                                                                       suggested modifications or alterations to
                                             containing 1,000 SNAP authorized                         Need for Access                                       the proposed factors to be considered
                                             firms, pointed out, ‘‘It is difficult to list              In the proposed rule FNS proposed to                under this provision. This provision has
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             off seven common varieties of dairy that                 amend 7 CFR 278.1(b) to allow the                     been retained with modifications based
                                             all types of stores will be able to carry.               Agency to consider ‘‘need for access’’                largely on feedback received in the final
                                             With the majority of dairy products                      when a retailer does not meet all of the              rule. Few retailer commenters
                                             being perishable, retailers cited lack of                requirements for SNAP authorization.                  specifically opposed this provision and
                                             cooling infrastructure and cold storage,                 FNS does not anticipate that large                    all other commenter types were
                                             and difficulty in procuring and selling                  grocery stores and supermarkets will                  considered mixed.


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00013   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                             90688            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                Some retailers opposed this provision                 and how it would affect the timeline for              qualifying staple food items on a
                                             on the grounds that the implementation                   applicant firms’ authorization to                     continuous basis, evidenced by having
                                             of this provision would result in                        participate in the Program. As a result,              no fewer than seven different varieties
                                             inequitable treatment of firms. The                      the Agency has clarified the language of              of food items in each of the four staple
                                             regional convenience store chain that                    this provision in the final rule to specify           food categories with a minimum depth
                                             commented noted that, ‘‘FNS should not                   in 7 CFR 278.1(b)(6) that, ‘‘Such                     of stock of three stocking units for each
                                             be positioning itself to pick winners and                considerations will be conducted during               qualifying staple variety) and Criterion
                                             losers in the competitive marketplace.’’                 the application process as described in               B (i.e., requiring firms to have 50
                                                As explained in the proposed rule, the                7 CFR 278.1(a).’’ This means that an                  percent of total gross retail sales in
                                             2014 Farm Bill amended Section 9(a) of                   applicant firm will still receive an                  staple food sales), but meet all other
                                             the Act to allow FNS to consider                         authorization determination within 45                 SNAP authorization requirements. This
                                             whether an applicant retailer is located                 days of Agency receipt of a firm’s                    change is in keeping with Congressional
                                             in an area with significantly limited                    completed application for authorization.              intent as expressed in the Manager’s
                                             access to food when determining the                      During this period need for access will               Statement accompanying the 2014 Farm
                                             qualifications of that applicant. The                    be considered if applicable.                          Bill which indicated that this need for
                                             Manager’s Statement accompanying the                        The international convenience store                access provision is intended to
                                             2014 Farm Bill indicated that the intent                 trade association also opposed this                   accommodate retailers in low food
                                             of Congress was to encourage the                         provision on grounds of fairness, stating             access areas for whom the new stocking
                                             Secretary ‘‘to give broad consideration                  that ‘‘If, for example, only one store in             standards may be a challenge to meet.
                                             to the impacts of additional                             a food desert was SNAP authorized,                       The need for access provision in the
                                             requirements . . . on food access in                     then it could charge whatever it wanted               final rule also clarifies the factors that
                                             food deserts or other areas with limited                 to a captive consumer base.’’ Under the               will be considered by the Agency will
                                             food access.’’ H. Conf. Rep. 113–333, at                 existing SNAP equal treatment                         pertain to either: (1) Area food access;
                                             434 (Jan. 27, 2014). As such, this rule is               provisions at 7 CFR 278.2(b) and 7 CFR                or (2) firm specific information. Finally,
                                             simply implementing a statutory                          274.7(f), it is prohibited for firms to treat         the proposed rule put forward the
                                             provision that accommodates areas with                   SNAP households differently than any                  Agency’s intent to implement this need
                                             significantly limited access to food and                 other customers; therefore, retailers are             for access provision 60 days after
                                             retailers in such areas for whom the new                 prohibited from charging SNAP                         publication of this final rule. As stated
                                             stocking standards may be a challenge                    customers different prices than non-                  earlier, this provision is intended to
                                             to meet. FNS specifically requested                      SNAP customers for the same products.                 accommodate small retailers in low food
                                             feedback from the public regarding the                   Such predatory retail price gouging                   access areas for whom the new stocking
                                             proposed change during the comment                       practices targeting SNAP customers                    standards may be a challenge to meet,
                                             period. FNS has reviewed all comments                    would, therefore, already be prohibited               therefore this provision will be
                                             and will be refining the provision in the                under existing SNAP regulations.                      implemented in tandem with the new
                                             final rule as described below. The                          Some medical and advocacy groups                   stocking standards. This need for access
                                             Agency also intends to provide Program                   opposed this provision, or the frequent               provision, therefore, will be
                                             stakeholders with additional guidance                    application of this provision, on the                 implemented for all new applicant firms
                                             on this provision.                                       grounds that it would allow firms to                  and all firms eligible for reinstatement
                                                Some retailers and industry trade                     avoid compliance and deprive                          120 days after the effective date of this
                                             groups also opposed this provision on                    communities that depend on small food                 final rule and 365 days after the
                                             the grounds that the proposed provision                  retail stores as the most convenient and              effective date of this final rule for all
                                             would create additional delays and                       accessible option for purchasing food of              currently authorized firms.
                                             administrative burdens for applying                      a sufficient variety of healthy food                     This language of this provision in the
                                             firms. The proposed process would                        options.                                              final rule reads as set forth in
                                             allow FNS to waive certain retailer                         However, most retailer, industry,                  § 278.1(b)(6) in the regulatory text of
                                             eligibility requirements in instances                    advocacy, governmental, and medical                   this rule. The final rule provides that
                                             where applying firms served                              entities that referenced this provision               FNS will consider whether the
                                             communities with low food access, as                     did not support or oppose the provision,              applicant firm is located in an area with
                                             determined by FNS. This provision was                    but instead suggested additional factors              significantly limited access to food
                                             always intended to function internally                   for FNS to consider. Factors suggested                when the applicant firm fails to meet
                                             to the Agency and in tandem with the                     for consideration by commenters,                      Criterion A per 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii) or
                                             existing SNAP authorization process.                     beyond those put forward by the Agency                Criterion B per 7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(iii) so
                                             FNS does not expect to need any                          in the proposed rule, included, but were              long as the applicant firm meets all
                                             additional information from applicant                    not limited to, car ownership rates,                  other SNAP authorization requirements.
                                             retailers to assist in the Agency                        public transportation availability,                   The final rule further provides that, in
                                             determination. Instead, FNS will rely on                 density of SNAP households, regional                  determining whether an applicant is
                                             information that the Agency currently                    food availability, regional food prices,              located in such an area, FNS will
                                             receives as part of the retailer SNAP                    and underserved ethnic communities. In                consider access factors such as, but not
                                             authorization process and publicly                       order to ensure that the Agency is able               limited to, the distance from the
                                             available information about the area in                  to consider some of these suggested                   applicant firm to the nearest currently
                                             which the store is located, such as data                 factors, and any other factors needed to              SNAP authorized firm and the
                                             in the U.S. Census Bureau’s American                     determine food access, the language of                availability of transportation in the
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             Community Survey (ACS). Therefore,                       this provision in the final rule at 7 CFR             vicinity of the applicant firm; and that
                                             FNS does not anticipate any additional                   278.1(b)(6) provides that the factors                 in determining whether an applicant
                                             burdens, costs, or delays for retailers                  listed are not exhaustive.                            should be authorized in the Program
                                             that would be created by this provision.                    Additionally, the final rule limits the            despite failure to meet Criterion A and
                                                FNS, however, acknowledges the                        applicability of this provision to                    Criterion B, FNS will also consider firm
                                             confusion of commenters regarding how                    applicant firms that fail to meet both                factors such as, but not limited to, the
                                             this provision would work in practice                    Criterion A (i.e., requiring firms to stock           extent of the applicant firm’s


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00014   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                       90689

                                             deficiencies in meeting Criterion A and                  attempt to justify this significant shift in          chicken, and frozen chicken) to
                                             Criterion B and whether the store                        policy beyond saying that it is designed to           constitute discrete staple food varieties.
                                             furthers the purposes of the Program.                    ‘clear up confusion that may exist in current            Variety has been traditionally defined
                                             Furthermore, the final rule provides that                regulations.’ [This organization] is not aware        by the Agency based on the essential
                                                                                                      of any such confusion. Indeed, retailer               composition of the food product (i.e.,
                                             such considerations will be conducted                    confusion in this area can be sourced entirely
                                             during the application process as                        to the language in the proposed regulatory
                                                                                                                                                            main ingredient), especially in the meat,
                                             described in 7 CFR 278.1(a). This                        text that would treat all food items from the         poultry, or fish and vegetables or fruits
                                             provision will be implemented for all                    same food source (e.g., chicken) as a single          staple food categories. Products that
                                             new applicant firms and all firms                        ‘variety.’ There is little policy justification for   share the same primary component (e.g.,
                                             eligible for reinstatement 120 days after                treating all items from the same food source          sliced turkey and ground turkey—
                                             the effective date of this final rule and                as a single ‘variety’ of item. [emphasis added]       turkey) and very similar kinds of
                                             365 days after the effective date of this                Additionally, some commenters                         products (e.g., McIntosh apples and
                                             final rule for all currently authorized                  criticized the standing definition of                 Empire apples—apples; mozzarella
                                             firms.                                                   ‘‘variety’’ specifically in the context of            cheese and cheddar cheese—cheeses)
                                                                                                      the vegetables or fruits staple food                  have not generally been considered to
                                             Definition of ‘‘Staple Food’’—                                                                                 represent discrete varieties in their
                                             Acceptable Varieties in the Four Staple                  category. As the international
                                                                                                      convenience store trade association and               respective staple food categories. Main
                                             Food Categories                                                                                                ingredient and product kind have,
                                                                                                      the petroleum marketers’ trade
                                                This discretionary provision proposed                                                                       therefore, been recognized in Agency
                                                                                                      association stated, ‘‘For the vegetable or
                                             to clarify and amend the definition of                                                                         policy as the primary determinants of
                                                                                                      fruit category, there is no reason why
                                             ‘‘variety’’ as it pertains to staple food                                                                      variety. The confusion evidenced by
                                                                                                      Fuji apples and a jar of applesauce
                                             varieties in the four staple food                                                                              retailers’ and trade associations’
                                                                                                      should not be considered different
                                             categories. This provision received an                                                                         comments regarding the Agency’s
                                                                                                      varieties; they are different products
                                             overall mixed response. Of the total                                                                           current definition of ‘‘variety’’ may be a
                                                                                                      from the same food family (apples).’’
                                             1,260 germane and non-duplicative                                                                              reflection of the fact that retail food
                                                                                                         Under existing SNAP regulations at 7
                                             public comments received, 168                                                                                  stores may generally meet the current
                                                                                                      CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(C) multiple formats
                                             comments, or approximately 13% of all                                                                          Criterion A stocking requirements (i.e.,
                                                                                                      of the same base product are not
                                             public comments, specifically addressed                                                                        three varieties in each of the four staple
                                                                                                      construed as constituting multiple                    food categories) without deliberately
                                             this provision. About 16% of total                       varieties for the purpose of Criterion A
                                             retailer commenters specifically                                                                               considering the products needed for
                                                                                                      eligibility. Canned chicken, frozen                   compliance. The increase in the number
                                             opposed this provision. Industry groups                  chicken, and fresh chicken, for example,
                                             largely opposed this provision and other                                                                       of required varieties from three to seven,
                                                                                                      are currently considered one variety                  which was mandated by the 2014 Farm
                                             commenter types, such as advocacy,                       (chicken) under existing SNAP
                                             medical, and governmental entities,                                                                            Bill, has caused retailers to carefully
                                                                                                      regulations and policies. That this                   consider what stock would affect
                                             were generally divided and/or                            provision counts multiple formats of
                                             expressed mixed opinions.                                                                                      compliance and may have resulted in
                                                                                                      one variety (e.g., chicken) as a single               the aforementioned comments and
                                                Some commenters opposed to this                       variety represents a restatement of
                                             provision stated that this provision did                                                                       confusions.
                                                                                                      existing Agency regulation and policy.                   Some advocacy and local or State
                                             not represent a clarification of existing                In fact, the adoption of the suggestions
                                             policy, but rather a radical change in the                                                                     government commenters suggested
                                                                                                      of the international convenience store                including plant-based proteins in the
                                             definition of ‘‘variety,’’ especially with               trade association and the petroleum
                                             respect to the definition of ‘‘variety’’ for                                                                   meat, poultry, or fish staple food
                                                                                                      marketers’ trade association that ‘‘raw               category and plant-based dairy
                                             the meat, poultry, or fish staple food                   chicken breast, refrigerated grilled
                                             category. A joint comment submitted by                                                                         alternatives in the dairy products staple
                                                                                                      chicken, or frozen chicken and                        food category. One county health
                                             the international convenience store                      vegetable stir fry should be considered
                                             trade association and the petroleum                                                                            department, representing a county with
                                                                                                      different varieties’’ and that the Agency             a population over 750,000 and
                                             marketers’ trade association, for                        should ‘‘consider cream cheese and
                                             example, stated that ‘‘FNS has also                                                                            containing over 700 SNAP authorized
                                                                                                      Laughing Cow creamy Swiss cheese to                   firms argued that, ‘‘Additional staple
                                             proposed to ‘clarify’ the term ‘variety.’                be two different [varieties]’’ would
                                             But, the proposed rule advances not a                                                                          food items that should be considered
                                                                                                      represent a reversal of the existing                  include eggs and plant-based protein
                                             clarification but a redefinition’’. The                  definition of ‘‘variety,’’ which in                   sources such as canned or frozen
                                             national trade association for the travel                accordance with existing regulations at               legumes, unsalted nuts and seeds, and
                                             plaza and truck stop industry echoed                     7 CFR 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(C), ‘‘. . . is not to           soy products (i.e., tofu). These products
                                             this criticism, asserting that FNS policy                be interpreted as different brands,                   could be included in the staple foods
                                             currently treats multiple formats of                     different nutrient values, different                  category for meat, poultry and fish, re-
                                             turkey and pork as discrete varieties and                varieties of packaging, or different                  framed as a protein category.’’ As
                                             that the proposed rule would change                      package sizes.’’ This existing policy was             discussed earlier in the context of the
                                             this supposed standing definition of                     further examined in the 2001 Benefits                 breadth of stock provision, there were
                                             ‘‘variety’’:                                             Redemption Division (BRD) Policy                      also commenters who stated that they
                                               For example, under the Proposed                        Memorandum 01–04 which reads, in                      expected that retailers would have
                                             regulatory text, ham and salami would both               part, ‘‘Examples of unacceptable                      difficulty in reaching seven different
                                             qualify as one ‘variety’ of item—‘pork’—for              varieties includes tomato juice, fresh
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                                                                                                                            varieties in the meat, poultry, or fish
                                             purposes of satisfying the seven-variety                 tomatoes and canned stewed tomatoes
                                             staple food threshold. Similarly, turkey
                                                                                                                                                            and the dairy staple food categories.
                                             burgers, sliced turkey, and ground turkey
                                                                                                      in the vegetables or fruits category.’’ As               In common language usage a ‘‘dairy
                                             would all qualify as one variety—‘turkey’                is clear from this memorandum, long-                  product’’ is understood to mean an
                                             rather than different [sic] three different              standing Agency policy has not                        edible food product produced from the
                                             ‘varieties’ in the meat, poultry, and fish               considered multiple formats of a                      milk of a mammal, most commonly
                                             category. The Proposal’s preamble does not               product (e.g., raw chicken, canned                    cow’s milk. Some traditional varieties of


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00015   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                             90690            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                             dairy include milk, butter, yogurt, and                  protein foods group and the vegetable                 are not limited to, mycoprotein-based
                                             cheese. There are a small number of                      group, nuts/seeds are only considered to              meat analogues, soy-based meat
                                             unique varieties of commonplace dairy                    belong to the protein foods group. This               analogues (e.g., tofu or tempeh) and
                                             products, most of which share the same                   means that if a store stocked one jar of              gluten-based meat analogues (e.g.,
                                             main ingredient (i.e., milk). Under                      peanut butter, one bag of almonds, and                seitan). For such meat analogues variety
                                             existing Agency policy, plant-based                      one bag of sunflower seeds, this would                is assigned in the traditional way (i.e.,
                                             dairy alternatives are also considered                   be considered three stocking units of                 by main ingredient and by product
                                             acceptable varieties in the dairy                        one variety (i.e., nuts/seeds) which                  kind). This means that if a firm stocked
                                             products staple food category. In fact, as               could be counted towards breadth of                   three packages of tofu this would be
                                             proposed, the rule had specified that                    stock in the meat, poultry, or fish staple            considered one staple variety counting
                                             ‘‘plant-based milk’’ was included as a                   food category. In this example,                       toward the breadth of stock in the meal,
                                             variety in the dairy products staple food                additional units of these or other nut/               poultry, or fish staple food category. In
                                             category, which would provide                            seed products (e.g., three bags of                    this example, additional units of this or
                                             additional choices for retailers in                      walnuts) would not further be counted                 other soy-based meat analogues (e.g.,
                                             meeting the new breadth of stock                         as additional varieties in the meat,                  three bags of textured soy protein or
                                             requirements.                                            poultry, or fish staple food category.                three boxes of soy-based vegan hot dogs)
                                                FNS acknowledges the difficulty in                    This also means that if a firm stocked                would not further be counted as
                                             reaching seven varieties in this staple                  three bags of dried kidney beans (i.e.,               additional varieties in the meat, poultry,
                                             food category. Given this reality, as well               beans) and three bags of dried black                  or fish staple food category. None of
                                             as the needs of lactose-intolerant                       eyed peas (i.e., peas), then these                    these or any other meat analogues may
                                             consumers, the final rule will consider                  products would be counted as two                      be counted as a variety in any other
                                             plant-based dairy products to be                         varieties towards the breadth of stock in             staple food category.
                                             varieties in the dairy products staple                   the meat, poultry, or fish staple food                   Even with the addition of these plant-
                                             food category based on their main                        category or in the vegetables or fruits               based varieties into the meat, poultry, or
                                             ingredient (e.g., cow’s milk, goat’s milk,               staple food category. Beans and peas can              fish staple food category it will be
                                             almond, and soy) and the traditional                     each only be counted once as variety in               necessary for most firms to stock
                                             dairy product for which they are a                       either the meat, poultry, or fish staple              animal-based varieties to meet the
                                             substitute (i.e., product kind). For                     food category or in the vegetables or                 breadth of stock requirement for the
                                             example, almond-based milk, soy-based                    fruits staple food category. This means               meat, poultry, or fish staple food
                                             milk, almond-based cheese, and soy-                      that if a firm stocked three bags of dried            category. For example, if a firm stocked
                                             based cheese will each be considered a                   kidney beans, three bags of dried black               five of the aforementioned plant-based
                                             discrete variety in the dairy products                   beans, and three bags of dried pinto                  varieties (e.g., three jars of peanut butter
                                             staple food category under the final rule.               beans, then these products could only                 [nuts/seeds], three bags of dried black
                                             Additionally, the final rule modifies                    be counted as one variety (i.e., beans) in            beans [beans], three bags of dried lentils
                                             existing Agency policy to subdivide                      either the meat, poultry, or fish staple              [peas], three packages of tofu [soy-based
                                             certain traditional, animal-based dairy                  food category or in the vegetables or                 meat analogue], and three packages of
                                             varieties into more than one variety. For                fruits staple food category. Likewise,                seitan [gluten-based meat analogue]),
                                             example, under existing Agency policy                    three bags of dried black-eyed peas,                  that firm would still be required to stock
                                             cheese is considered one variety while                                                                         at least two more varieties in the meat,
                                                                                                      three bags of dried split peas, and three
                                             under the final rule cow’s milk-based                                                                          poultry, or fish staple food category
                                                                                                      bags of dried lentils could only be
                                             soft cheese and cow’s milk-based firm/                                                                         (e.g., three dozen eggs, three packages of
                                                                                                      counted as one variety (i.e., peas) in
                                             hard cheese each will be considered                                                                            frozen chicken cutlets, and three
                                                                                                      either the meat, poultry, or fish staple
                                             discrete varieties.                                                                                            packages of ham).
                                                Additionally, FNS acknowledges the                    food category or in the vegetables or                    These changes better align SNAP
                                             importance of plant-based sources of                     fruits staple food category. These                    regulations with the nutritional
                                             protein and the potential difficulties in                varieties may not individually be split               guidance of USDA’s MyPlate, help to
                                             reaching seven varieties in the meat,                    between staple food categories. This is               ease the burden of compliance on retail
                                             poultry, or fish staple food category. The               a departure from the way in which                     food stores, and serve to increase the
                                             final rule, therefore, will modify                       ‘‘variety’’ is traditionally defined (i.e.,           availability of healthy food options for
                                             existing Agency policy to include three                  by main ingredient and/or product                     low-income Americans.
                                             varieties of plant-based protein sources                 kind). The reason for this unique                        Some governmental, medical, and
                                             (i.e., nuts/seeds, beans, and peas) in the               exception is that these plant-based                   advocate commenters believed that
                                             meat, poultry, or fish staple food                       proteins are being added to the meat,                 additional restrictions should be placed
                                             category. Under current Agency policy                    poultry, or fish staple food category in              on these required varieties to ensure
                                             such products (i.e., nuts/seeds, beans,                  order to supplement, not supplant, the                that a certain number of healthy options
                                             and peas) are counted as varieties in the                animal-based proteins for which the                   were available. For example, two city
                                             vegetable or fruits staple food category.                category is named. Under this provision               health departments, one noted earlier as
                                             Under this final rule beans and peas                     firms will not be able meet the breadth               representing a city of 8.5 million, and
                                             may only be counted once each as a                       of stock requirement for the meat,                    another representing a city of over 1.5
                                             variety in the meat, poultry, or fish                    poultry, or fish staple food category by              million containing over 2,300 SNAP
                                             staple food category or once each as a                   stocking seven kinds of nuts/seeds,                   authorized firms, argued that, within
                                             variety in the vegetables or fruits staple               peas, and/or beans, each of these may                 each staple food category, certain kinds
                                                                                                      only be counted once.                                 of healthy varieties should be mandated
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             food category while nuts/seeds may
                                             only be counted once as a variety in the                    Plant-based meat substitutes or                    by FNS. Examples of such healthy
                                             meat, poultry, or fish staple food                       analogues, marketed as vegetarian or                  varieties included low-fat dairy, lean
                                             category. This change is in keeping with                 vegan alternatives to meat, will also be              meat, fresh vegetables, and whole grain
                                             the nutritional guidance of USDA’s                       counted as varieties in the meat,                     breads. While FNS does agree with the
                                             MyPlate, which clarifies that, while                     poultry, or fish staple food. Varieties of            commenters that argued that such
                                             beans and peas belong to both the                        such meat analogues may include, but                  changes would likely increase healthful


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00016   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                         90691

                                             options for SNAP participants, the                       frozen chicken drumsticks, and canned                 product kind but instead includes
                                             Agency believes that incorporating such                  chicken are different products, they                  several discrete varieties (e.g., rice-based
                                             additional enhancements to this                          would not each be considered a discrete               breakfast cereal and oat-based breakfast
                                             provision could be overly burdensome                     variety for the purposes of SNAP                      cereal).
                                             on retailers.                                            Criterion A because they share the same                  After review of all comments on this
                                                Other commenters suggested that                       main ingredient (i.e., chicken). For                  provision, this final rule has largely
                                             variety shortfalls in one or more staple                 multiple ingredient food products the                 retained the long-standing Agency
                                             food categories should be allowed to be                  first ingredient determines variety such              definition of ‘‘variety’’ and, as described
                                             covered with additional varieties of                     that a frozen microwaveable meal with                 above, modifies the definition of
                                             fruits or vegetables (e.g., a store may                  beef listed as the first ingredient would             ‘‘variety’’ to allow retailers more
                                             stock only five varieties of dairy but                   constitute a variety in the meat, poultry,            flexibility in meeting the breadth of
                                             nine varieties of fruits and vegetables).                or fish staple food category (i.e., beef)             stock provision in the dairy, bread and
                                             While the Agency supports changes that                   and a can of ravioli with tomato sauce                cereals, and meat, poultry, and fish
                                             would encourage firms to stock more                      listed as the first ingredient would                  staple food categories. This provision
                                             nutritious products, including fresh                     constitute a variety in the vegetables or             will be implemented for all new
                                             fruit and vegetable products, such a                     fruits staple food category (i.e., tomato).           applicant firms and all firms eligible for
                                             change would run counter to statutory                    Most bread or cereals food items sold                 reinstatement 120 days after the
                                             requirements of the 2014 Farm Bill that                  and consumed in America primarily                     effective date of this final rule and 365
                                             a retailer offer for sale ‘‘a variety of at              derive from one or more of the following              days after the effective date of this final
                                             least 7 foods in each of the 4 categories                four grains: Wheat, corn, rice, and/or                rule for all currently authorized firms.
                                             of staple foods’’ and exceeds the                        oats. Based on the limited types of                   Public Disclosure of Firms Sanctioned
                                             Agency’s statutory authority.                            grains and the new breadth of stock
                                                Some commenters who supported the                                                                           for SNAP Violations
                                                                                                      requirements, FNS believes it is
                                             proposed provision pointed out that a                                                                             This discretionary provision proposed
                                                                                                      impractical to strictly define ‘‘variety’’
                                             lax definition of ‘‘variety’’ would allow                                                                      to reaffirm the Agency’s authority and
                                                                                                      for the purposes of this staple food
                                             stores to skirt variety requirements by                                                                        intent to publicly disclose the store and
                                                                                                      category by the aforementioned method
                                             stocking seven different formats of one                                                                        owner name for firms sanctioned for
                                                                                                      (i.e., product kind and main ingredient),
                                             or two kinds of products with the same                                                                         SNAP violations. This provision
                                                                                                      as is the standard for two of the other
                                             main ingredient. If a lax definition of                                                                        received few comments most of which
                                                                                                      staple food categories. As a result, in the
                                             ‘‘variety’’ were implemented, for                                                                              were supportive. Of the total 1,260
                                                                                                      bread or cereals staple food category
                                             example, the variety requirement for the                                                                       germane and non-duplicative public
                                                                                                      variety is defined by product kind (i.e.,             comments received, 14 comments, or
                                             vegetables or fruits staple food category                bread and other baked or finished grain-
                                             could be satisfied by frozen French fries,                                                                     about 1% of total public comments,
                                                                                                      based products) or main ingredient (e.g.,             specifically addressed this provision.
                                             powdered mashed potatoes, frozen hash
                                                                                                      wheat and oats) as described in Part IV               About 71% of comments that
                                             browns, potato chips, canned cream of
                                                                                                      List of Examples below.                               specifically addressed this provision
                                             potato soup, frozen tater tots, and
                                             potatoes. FNS concurs with these                            Numerous commenters requested                      were supportive while approximately
                                             concerns and will not be altering the                    additional Agency guidance on what                    14% opposed this provision and
                                             proposed definition of ‘‘variety’’ to                    constituted a variety for each of the four            approximately 14% were generally
                                             allow for different formats of products                  staple food categories. In response, a list           divided and/or expressed mixed
                                             with the same main ingredient to count                   of examples in Section IV is included in              opinions. No retailer commenters
                                             as different varieties.                                  the preamble of the final rule; this list             specifically opposed this provision,
                                                Under both current Agency                             provides 20 examples of varieties in                  industry trade groups that commented
                                             regulations and the final rule, ‘‘variety’’              each of the four staple food categories               specifically on this provision generally
                                             is generally defined by product kind or                  and is intended to be illustrative, not               opposed this provision and all other
                                             main ingredient for the meat, poultry, or                exhaustive. Additionally, the examples                commenter types that commented on
                                             fish and vegetables or fruits staple food                listed in the proposed rule have been                 this provision were generally
                                             categories. This means that chicken,                     amended in the final rule to illustrate               supportive.
                                             pork, and beef each represent discrete                   the intended flexibility for retailers. The              Three retailer associations (i.e., the
                                             varieties for the former category and that               changes made to the examples of                       international convenience store trade
                                             apple, banana, and lettuce each                          varieties in the meat, poultry, or fish               association, the petroleum marketers’
                                             represent discrete varieties for the latter              and the dairy products staple food                    trade association, and the national food
                                             category. Products like Empire apples                    categories reflect the inclusion of plant-            retailer trade association) opposed the
                                             and McIntosh apples may have different                   based alternatives. ‘‘Plant-based’’ milk              disclosure of this information. One
                                             names and slightly different                             has been, for example, removed as a                   noted that it, ‘‘. . . does not believe that
                                             appearances, but they are generally                      listed example and replaced with                      the name of a store owner should be
                                             recognized as the same kind of product.                  almond milk to reflect the inclusion of               disclosed if the owner name identifies
                                             For this reason both Empire apples and                   multiple varieties of plant-based milks               an individual in the store. [Our]
                                             McIntosh would be not each be                            (e.g., almond milk, soy milk, and rice                members believe that the owner name
                                             considered a discrete variety, but rather                milk) in the dairy products staple food               disclosure is unnecessary and could
                                             the discrete variety is the product kind                 category. Additionally, the example                   lead to mental and emotional harm to
                                             itself—apples. Likewise although                         ‘‘melon’’ was removed and replaced                    the owner’’ and went on to add, ‘‘FNS
                                             apples, 100% apple juice, and                            with grapes as melon is not considered                should also consider and take into
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             applesauce are different products, they                  a product kind under the definition of                consideration the seriousness of the
                                             would not each be considered a discrete                  ‘‘variety’’ but instead includes several              sanctions imposed and whether there
                                             variety for the purposes of SNAP                         discrete varieties (e.g., honeydew and                have been multiple violations.
                                             Criterion A because they share the same                  cantaloupe). Likewise, ‘‘breakfast                    Publicizing a store owner’s private
                                             main ingredient (i.e., apples). Similarly,               cereal’’ was removed and replaced with                information for a first time sanction that
                                             although deli-sliced chicken breast,                     ‘‘rice’’ because the former is not a                  may have resulted from an inadvertent


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00017   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                             90692            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                             violation is unreasonable and clearly                    result, FNS has clarified and narrowed                provision which clarifies and modifies
                                             extreme.’’ Another of these three                        this provision in the final rule.                     the definition of acceptable ‘‘variety’’ in
                                             associations commented, ‘‘There is no                    Specifically, the final rule stipulates               each of the four staple food categories.
                                             provision of the proposed rule,                          that information regarding firms                        Included below are lists of acceptable
                                             however, that would allow for sanction                   sanctioned for SNAP violations will be                varieties in the four staple food
                                             information to be taken down after the                   disclosed by FNS only for the duration                categories. Also included is an
                                             passage of a certain amount of time or                   of the sanction. Firms sanctioned for                 examination of what constitutes a
                                             in the event a store was sold to another                 lesser offenses (e.g., sale of minor                  stocking unit for the purposes of the
                                             owner or placed under new                                ineligibles) may face term                            depth of stock provision. Finally,
                                             management.’’ A fourth retailer                          disqualifications as short as six months.             included is a list of food items which
                                             association representing independent                     FNS agrees that making the owner and                  are and are not considered accessory
                                             grocers seconded this final point and                    store name of such firms indefinitely                 food items. The lists of examples that
                                             stated the group, ‘‘. . . is not opposed                 available to the public is neither                    follow are intended to be illustrative
                                             to public disclosure of disqualified                     necessary nor is it judicious. This                   and provide guidance on the final rule.
                                             retailers who have engaged in                            provision has been modified such that                 What follows is not to be construed as
                                             fraudulent activity after the appeals                    FNS may disclose the name and address                 an exhaustive list of staple food
                                             process has been exhausted; however                      of the store, the owner names(s), and                 varieties, stocking units, or accessory
                                             [the organization] encourages the                        information about the sanction itself for             food items.
                                             Agency to remove or amend the public                     the duration of the sanction. The                     The Meat, Poultry, or Fish Staple Food
                                             notice when a store is sold so the new                   duration of the sanction lasts until the              Category
                                             owners are not harmed by this                            period of disqualification ends or until
                                             disclosure.’’                                            the civil penalty has been paid in full,                 In the meat, poultry, or fish staple
                                                One State welfare fraud investigator                  whichever is longer. Additionally, this               food category ‘‘variety’’ is generally
                                             association commented, ‘‘We believe the                  provision has also been modified such                 defined by product kind or main
                                             proposed rule changes (increasing the                    that in the event that a sanctioned firm              ingredient. This means that chicken,
                                             minimum number of categories in                          is assigned a civil penalty in lieu of a              pork, and beef each represent discrete
                                             which perishable goods are required,                     period of disqualification, as described              varieties. For multiple ingredient food
                                             amending the depth of stock, redefining                  in 7 CFR 278.6(a), FNS may continue to                products the first ingredient determines
                                             ‘Retail Food Store’ to exclude                           disclose this information for as long as              variety such that a frozen
                                             restaurants, and, particularly, disclosing                                                                     microwaveable meal with beef listed as
                                                                                                      the duration of the period of
                                             information about retailers who have                                                                           the first ingredient would constitute a
                                                                                                      disqualification or until the civil
                                             violated SNAP rules) would serve to                                                                            variety in the meat, poultry, or fish
                                                                                                      penalty has been paid in full, whichever
                                             deter fraud.’’ A city health department                                                                        staple food category (i.e., beef).
                                                                                                      is longer. The information regarding                     This list of examples serves to provide
                                             representing the large city of 8.5 million               firms sanctioned with permanent
                                             and over 10,000 SNAP authorized firms                                                                          guidance on acceptable varieties in the
                                                                                                      disqualification for offenses such as the             meat, poultry, or fish staple food
                                             also stated that this provision will                     trafficking SNAP benefits should and
                                             ‘‘increase integrity efforts against fraud,                                                                    category. The meat, poultry, or fish
                                                                                                      will be made publicly available for the               staple food category now includes
                                             waste, and abuse in SNAP’’.                              duration of the disqualification (i.e.,
                                                FNS closely monitors retailers to                                                                           varieties of meat analogues (e.g., soy-
                                                                                                      indefinitely). Program violations that                based meat analogue and gluten-based
                                             ensure that they comply with Program                     result in a permanent disqualification
                                             rules and regulations. FNS may warn or                                                                         meat analogue). The meat, poultry, or
                                                                                                      are serious offenses and the Agency is                fish staple food category also now
                                             sanction retailers found violating
                                                                                                      dedicated to fighting Program fraud and               includes three types of plant-based
                                             Program rules. Sanctions can include
                                                                                                      abuse in all forms. FNS agrees with the               protein staple foods (i.e., nuts/seeds,
                                             time-limited or permanent Program
                                                                                                      comments from governmental entities                   beans, and peas). Each of these three
                                             disqualification as well as civil
                                                                                                      that the public disclosure of the owner               aforementioned plant-based protein
                                             penalties. This provision is an essential
                                                                                                      and store name of firms that violate                  types may only be counted once each as
                                             tool in Agency efforts to combat and
                                                                                                      Program rules is a powerful deterrent to              a variety in the meat, poultry, or fish
                                             deter Program fraud and abuse. For
                                                                                                      retailer SNAP fraud. This provision will              staple food category. Alternatively,
                                             example, the names of retail stores and
                                                                                                      be implemented on the effective date of               beans and peas may instead be counted
                                             owners whom have been charged,
                                             indicted, or convicted for SNAP retailer                 this final rule.                                      once each as a variety in vegetables or
                                             fraud by federal, state or local                         IV. List of Examples                                  fruits staple food category. These two
                                             authorities are already disclosed                                                                              types (i.e., beans and peas) may only be
                                                                                                      Summary of List of Examples                           counted once each regardless of the
                                             publicly through news releases and
                                             other means. This provision reaffirms                      The final rule codifies a statutory                 staple food category they are counted in.
                                             FNS’ authority and intent to disclose the                provision to increase the required                    Nuts/seeds may only be counted once as
                                             store and owner name for firms                           number of staple food varieties in each               a variety in the meat, poultry, or fish
                                             sanctioned for SNAP violations. In                       of the four staple food categories from               staple food category, but not in the
                                             response to the suggestion that                          three to seven and to increase the                    vegetable or fruits staple food category.
                                             encourages the Agency to remove or                       required number of staple food                           What follows is an illustrative, but not
                                             amend the public notice when a store is                  categories containing at least one                    exhaustive, list of 20 acceptable
                                             sold so the new owners are not harmed                    perishable foods variety from two to                  varieties in this staple food category.
                                                                                                      three, where ‘‘perishable foods’’ are                 Included parenthetically with each
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             by this disclosure, FNS believes that the
                                             public disclosure of both the retail store               defined as items which are either                     variety are two different examples of
                                             name and the owner who had been                          frozen, fresh, unrefrigerated, or                     food items which would usually fall
                                             sanctioned would mitigate the potential                  refrigerated staple food items that will              within that variety. The examples of
                                             harm to a new store owner.                               spoil or suffer significant deterioration             multiple ingredient food items in this
                                                FNS, however, acknowledges the                        in quality within three weeks. The final              list would be acceptable only if the
                                             concerns of these commenters. As a                       rule also codifies a discretionary                    listed main ingredient would be


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00018   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                        90693

                                             considered a variety in the meat,                        within that variety. The multiple                     category based on their main ingredient
                                             poultry, or fish staple category.                        ingredient food item examples in this                 and the traditional dairy product for
                                             Perishable foods are indicated by the                    list would be acceptable only if the                  which they are a substitute. So, for
                                             presence of an asterisk (*).                             main ingredient is in the vegetables or               example, almond-based milk, soy-based
                                             Plant-based Protein Types:                               fruits staple category. Perishable foods              milk, almond-based cheese, and soy-
                                               1. Nuts/Seeds (e.g., sunflower seeds or                are indicated by the presence of an                   based cheese will each be considered a
                                                  peanut butter)                                      asterisk (*).                                         discrete variety in the dairy products
                                               2. Beans (e.g., dried black beans or                   1. Potatoes (potatoes* or frozen tater                staple food category under the final rule.
                                                  dried red kidney beans)                                  tots*)                                           Though these items are plant-based,
                                               3. Peas (e.g., dried lentils or canned                 2. Oranges (100% orange juice* or fresh               they are recognized as dairy equivalents
                                                  split pea soup with a first listed                       oranges*)                                        and therefore, do not count as varieties
                                                  ingredient of split peas)                           3. Tomatoes (canned tomato soup or sun                in the remaining staple food categories.
                                             Meat, Poultry, and Fish:                                      dried tomatoes)                                  Additionally, some of the traditional
                                               4. Turkey (e.g., fresh deli sliced                     4. Apples (dried apples or pre-cut apple              types of dairy products have been
                                                  turkey* or fresh ground turkey*)                         go-packs*)                                       divided into varieties based on distinct
                                               5. Goat (e.g., fresh goat chops* or                    5. Pumpkin (canned pumpkin or fresh                   and generally accepted differences. For
                                                  frozen rack of goat ribs*)                               whole pumpkin)                                   example, the dairy type cheese has been
                                               6. Salmon (e.g., packaged smoked                       6. Bananas (fresh bananas* or frozen                  divided into two discrete varieties:
                                                  salmon or canned salmon)                                 bananas*)                                        Cow’s milk-based soft cheese and cow’s
                                               7. Chicken (e.g., fresh chicken cutlets*               7. Onions (canned onions or fresh                     milk-based hard/firm cheese based on
                                                  or frozen chicken nuggets*)                              onions*)                                         generally accepted industry norms.
                                               8. Beef (e.g., fresh ground beef* or                   8. Grapes (fresh grapes* or 100% grape                What follows is an illustrative, but not
                                                  beef jerky)                                              juice)                                           exhaustive, list of 20 acceptable
                                               9. Tuna (e.g., fresh albacore tuna                     9. Lettuce (fresh head of iceberg lettuce*            varieties in this staple food category.
                                                  steak* or canned albacore tuna fish)                     or pre-cut and bagged romaine                    Included parenthetically with each
                                               10. Shrimp (e.g., frozen shrimp                             lettuce*)                                        variety are two different examples of
                                                  scampi meal* or fresh cocktail                      10. Pineapples (canned pineapple rings                food items which would usually fall
                                                  shrimp*)                                                 or fresh whole pineapple*)                       within that variety. The multiple
                                               11. Tilapia (e.g., fresh tilapia filet* or             11. Cucumbers (fresh cucumbers* or                    ingredient food item examples in this
                                                  panko breaded frozen tilapia meal*)                      jarred pickles)                                  list would be acceptable only if the
                                               12. Crab (e.g., fresh crab cakes* or                   12. Strawberries (fresh strawberries* or              main ingredient is in the dairy products
                                                  canned crab meat)                                        frozen strawberries*)                            staple category. Perishable foods are
                                               13. Soy-based meat analogue (e.g.,                     13. Peaches (canned peaches or fresh                  indicated by the presence of an asterisk
                                                  tofu* or soy-based vegan chicken                         peaches*)                                        (*).
                                                  alternative*)                                       14. Carrots (fresh whole carrots* or pre-
                                               14. Chicken eggs (e.g., fresh eggs* or                      cut carrot stick go-packs*)                      1. Yogurt (e.g., fresh whole milk French
                                                  liquid egg whites*)                                 15. Grapefruit (fresh whole grapefruit*                    vanilla yogurt* or fresh nonfat
                                               15. Catfish (e.g., frozen catfish filet*                    or grapefruit fruit cup*)                             peach yogurt*)
                                                  or smoked packaged catfish)                         16. Cabbage (e.g., fresh head of cabbage*             2. Soy yogurt (e.g., strawberry soy
                                               16. Lamb/Mutton (e.g., fresh lamb                           or jarred kimchi)                                     yogurt* or lite vanilla soy yogurt*)
                                                  chops* or fresh ground lamb*)                       17. Artichoke (e.g., fresh artichoke* or              3. Almond yogurt (e.g., mixed berry
                                               17. Cod (e.g., frozen cod* or fresh                         canned artichoke hearts)                              almond yogurt* or low-fat plain
                                                  cod*)                                               18. Broccoli (e.g., fresh broccoli* or                     almond yogurt*)
                                               18. Pork (e.g., pork loin* or fresh                         frozen broccoli florets*)                        4. Perishable cow milk (e.g., fresh skim
                                                  sliced ham*)                                        19. Avocados (e.g., ready-made                             cow milk* or fresh whole cow
                                               19. Duck (e.g., fresh duck* or canned                       guacamole* or fresh avocado*)                         milk*)
                                                  duck)                                               20. Celery (e.g., pre-cut celery stick go-            5. Perishable cow kefir (e.g., nonfat fresh
                                               20. Clams (e.g., frozen clams* or                           packs* or fresh whole celery*)                        blueberry kefir* or fresh banana
                                                  canned clam meat)                                                                                              kefir*)
                                                                                                      The Dairy Staple Food Category
                                             The Vegetables or Fruits Staple Food                                                                           6. Shelf-stable liquid cow milk (e.g.,
                                                                                                         In common language usage a ‘‘dairy
                                             Category                                                                                                            condensed cow milk or evaporated
                                                                                                      product’’ is understood to mean an
                                                                                                                                                                 cow milk)
                                                In the vegetables or fruits staple food               edible food product produced from the
                                             category ‘‘variety’’ is generally defined                milk of a mammal, most commonly                       7. Shelf-stable powdered cow milk (e.g.,
                                             by product kind or main ingredient.                      cow’s milk. Some traditional varieties of                  powdered cow milk or casein/whey
                                             This means that apples, bananas, and                     dairy include milk, butter, yogurt, and                    powder)
                                             lettuce each represent discrete varieties.               cheese. There are a small number of                   8. Cow milk-based infant formula (e.g.,
                                             For multiple ingredient food products                    unique varieties of commonplace dairy                      organic, milk-based formula or
                                             the first ingredient determines variety                  products, most of which share the same                     milk-based, iron-fortified formula)
                                             such that a can of ravioli with tomato                   main ingredient (i.e., milk). Based on                9. Soy-based infant formula (e.g., iron-
                                             sauce listed as the first ingredient would               the limited types of commonplace dairy                     fortified, soy-based formula or
                                             constitute a variety in the vegetables or                products and the new breadth of stock                      hypoallergenic, soy-based formula)
                                                                                                      requirements, it is impractical to define             10. Butter (e.g., frozen sweet cream
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             fruits staple food category (i.e., tomato).
                                                What follows is an illustrative, but not              ‘‘variety’’ for the purposes of this staple                butter* or fresh salted butter*)
                                             exhaustive, list of 20 acceptable                        food category based on the main                       11. Butter substitute (e.g., margarine or
                                             varieties in this staple food category.                  ingredient and it is useful to include                     non-dairy spread)
                                             Included parenthetically with each                       plant-based alternatives. Plant-based                 12. Sour cream (e.g., fresh, lite sour
                                             variety are two different examples of                    dairy products will be considered a                        cream* or fresh, organic sour
                                             food items which would usually fall                      variety in the dairy products staple food                  cream*)


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00019   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                             90694            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                             13. Almond-based milk (e.g.,                             13. Tortillas (e.g., corn tortillas* or flour         follows is an illustrative, but not
                                                  refrigerated almond milk* or shelf-                      tortillas*)                                      exhaustive, list of such products and
                                                  stable almond milk)                                 14. Bagels (e.g., poppy seed bagels* or               their standard stocking unit sizes:
                                             14. Soy-based milk (e.g., shelf-stable soy                    plain bagels*)                                   • Hand fruit: A banana or an apple
                                                  milk or refrigerated soy milk*)                     15. Pitas (e.g., low-carb pita* or whole              • Large fruits or vegetables: A
                                             15. Rice-based milk (e.g., shelf-stable                       wheat pita*)                                       watermelon or a pumpkin
                                                  rice milk or refrigerated rice milk*)               16. Cold breakfast cereal (e.g., rice-based           • Small portion or single-serving
                                             16. Firm/hard cheese (e.g., fresh deli                        cereal or oat-based cereal)                        packages: A yogurt cup or a fruit cup
                                                  sliced cheddar cheese* or packaged                  17. English muffins (e.g., whole wheat                  If a food item (e.g., grains, dried fruits,
                                                  grated parmesan cheese)                                  English muffins* or honey oat                    nuts, deli cold cuts, etc.) is stored singly
                                             17. Soft cheese (e.g., fresh curd cheese*                     English muffins*)                                in a common container or unit, but sold
                                                  or pre-wrapped American cheese                      18. Hot breakfast cereal (e.g., cream of              to customers by weight, then the
                                                  product slices*)                                         wheat or farina)                                 standard stocking unit is considered to
                                             18. Goat cheese (e.g., fresh honey goat                  19. Buns/rolls (e.g., frozen dinner rolls*
                                                  cheese* or fresh plain goat cheese*)                                                                      be one pound. A bulk container
                                                                                                           or hot dog buns*)                                containing three pounds of dried
                                             19. Soy-based cheese alternative (e.g.,                  20. Infant cereal (e.g., wheat-based
                                                  mozzarella-style soy cheese* or                                                                           cranberries, available to and sold to the
                                                                                                           infant cereal or oat-based infant                customer by weight, therefore, would
                                                  American-style soy cheese slices*)                       cereal)
                                             20. Perishable goat milk (e.g., fresh                                                                          constitute three stocking units of one
                                                  whole goat milk* or fresh low-fat                     As an example, a firm could meet the                variety in the fruit or vegetable staple
                                                  goat milk*)                                         requirements for the bread or cereals                 food category.
                                                                                                      staple food category by stocking three                  If FNS determines that a bunch, box,
                                             The Bread or Cereals Staple Food                         loaves of bread, three bags of rice, three            bag, or package usually sold as a unit
                                             Category                                                 boxes of spaghetti, three bags of pitas,              has been subdivided into unreasonably
                                                Most bread or cereals food items sold                 three bags of tortillas, three bags of flour          small units in order to meet this depth
                                             and consumed in America primarily                        and three packages of cornmeal.                       of stock provision, FNS will not
                                             derive from one of the following four                                                                          consider such food items to constitute a
                                                                                                      Stocking Units                                        stocking unit for the purposes of this
                                             grains: Wheat, corn, rice, and/or oats.
                                             Based on the limited types of common                        The proposed rule put forward a                    depth of stock provision.
                                             grains and the new breadth of stock                      discretionary provision requiring six
                                                                                                                                                            V. List of Accessory Food Items and
                                             requirements, therefore, it is impractical               stocking units per qualifying staple food
                                                                                                                                                            Examples of Staple Food Items
                                             to define ‘‘variety’’ for the purposes of                variety. The final rule halves that
                                             this staple food category based                          proposed requirement and codifies a                   Accessory Food Items
                                             exclusively on the product kind or                       discretionary provision that requires                    The final rule codifies a discretionary
                                             exclusively on the main ingredient, as is                three stocking units per qualifying                   provision which clarifies the definition
                                             the standard for two of the other staple                 staple food variety. This list of examples            of ‘‘staple food’’. This provision realigns
                                             food categories.                                         serves to define ‘‘stocking unit’’ for the            the definition of ‘‘accessory food items’’
                                                What follows is an illustrative, but not              purposes of this provision. If a food item            with statutory intent, defining
                                             exhaustive, list of 20 acceptable                        would not usually be sold individually,               ‘‘accessory food items’’ to include
                                             varieties in this staple food category.                  then it does not individually constitute              snacks, desserts, and foods that
                                             Included parenthetically with each                       a stocking unit. Such food items are                  complement or supplement meals.
                                             variety are two different examples of                    usually sold in bunches, boxes, bags, or                 While any food or food product
                                             food items which would usually fall                      packages with a number of other                       intended for home consumption is
                                             within that variety. The multi-                          identical items (e.g., a loaf of bread, a             generally considered to be eligible for
                                             ingredient food examples in this list                    bunch of grapes, a carton of eggs, a bag              purchase with SNAP benefits, only
                                             would be acceptable only if the main                     of rice, or a package of sliced turkey).              staple food products are counted toward
                                             ingredient is in the bread or cereal                     The individual sale of such food items                a retail food store’s eligibility to
                                             staple category. Perishable foods are                    would be impractical given their small                participate in SNAP. Staple foods are
                                             indicated by the presence of an asterisk                 individual size. For such products it is              generally considered to be basic items of
                                             (*).                                                     the bunch, box, bag, or package that                  food that make up a significant portion
                                             1. Wheat (e.g., whole wheat flour or                     represents one stocking unit. What                    of an individual’s diet and are usually
                                                  wheat germ)                                         follows is an illustrative, but not                   prepared at home and consumed as a
                                             2. Corn/maize (e.g., cornmeal or                         exhaustive, list of such products and                 major component of a meal. Some
                                                  cornbread)                                          their standard stocking unit size.                    examples include tomatoes, ground
                                             3. Rice (e.g., brown rice or basmati rice)               • Small fruit and berries: A package of               beef, milk, or rice. Accessory food items,
                                             4. Oats (e.g., oatmeal or honey oat                         blueberries or a package of                        on the other hand, are generally
                                                  bread*)                                                strawberries                                       considered to be food items consumed
                                             5. Barley (e.g., pearled barley or barley                • Leaf vegetables: A head of lettuce or               as snacks or desserts as well as food
                                                  meal)                                                  a bunch of collard green leaves
                                             6. Rye (e.g., raw rye or rye bread*)                                                                           items that complement or supplement
                                                                                                      • Stalk/root vegetables: A bunch of                   meals, such as most beverages and
                                             7. Millet (e.g., millet flour or raw millet)
                                             8. Quinoa (e.g., raw quinoa or quinoa                       carrots or a bunch of celery sticks                spices.
                                                                                                      • Deli sliced items: A package of turkey                 A product is often considered an
                                                  pasta)
                                                                                                         slices or a package of cheddar cheese              accessory food item if it is usually
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             9. Teff (e.g., raw teff or injera*)
                                             10. Bread (e.g., a loaf of rye bread* or                    slices                                             consumed on its own, usually as a snack
                                                  a loaf of multigrain bread*)                        • Grains: A bag or sack of rice or a box              or dessert, without being cooked or
                                             11. Pasta (e.g., gluten-free spaghetti or                   of oatmeal                                         prepared (e.g., potato chips or an ice-
                                                  whole wheat rotini)                                    If a food item is usually or often sold            cream sandwich). Products that are
                                             12. Baking mixes (e.g., pancake mix or                   singly, then that single unit may                     explicitly identified as staple foods,
                                                  cornbread mix)                                      constitute one stocking unit. What                    such as hand fruit, are not considered


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00020   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                       90695

                                             accessory foods even if they are                         or in future Agency guidance will be                       or in Agency guidance as an
                                             sometimes consumed on their own                          considered a staple food, as explained                     accessory food item
                                             without being cooked or prepared. A                      above, provided that its main ingredient                 Some mixed packaged food products
                                             product is also often considered an                      is considered a variety in the staple food            may consist of more than one discrete
                                             accessory food item if it is usually used                category.                                             element, such as salted crackers and soft
                                             to flavor other foods (e.g., salt or sugar)              Snack and Dessert Food Items:                         cream cheese packaged together. In this
                                             or if it is a beverage (e.g., soda pop or                   • Potato, corn, wheat, tortilla, pita,             example, the salted crackers are
                                             water). If a product would normally be                        and vegetable chips, crisps, sticks,             considered an accessory food while the
                                             considered a staple food, but is sold in                      and straws; onion ring snacks; corn              soft cream cheese is considered a staple
                                             a small package size (e.g., a small bag of                    nuts; snack mixes; crackers; pork                food. If the accessory food item is the
                                             dried apricots or a yogurt cup), that                         rinds; pretzels; pre-popped or un-               main component of the mixed packaged
                                             product is still generally considered a                       popped popcorn; and cheese puffs                 food product, per the ingredients list on
                                             staple food.                                                  or curls                                         the Nutrition Facts label, then such a
                                                Commercially processed foods and                         • Doughnuts, cupcakes, cookies,                    product is considered an accessory food
                                             prepared mixtures with multiple                               snack cakes, muffins, pastries,                  item. If the staple food item is the main
                                             ingredients are usually assigned to the                       sweet rolls, pies, cakes, pudding,               component of the mixed packaged food
                                             staple food category of their main                            churros, scones, gelatin desserts,               product, per the ingredients list on the
                                             ingredient on their ‘‘Nutrition Facts’’                       and any packaged mixes intended                  Nutrition Facts label, then such a
                                             label per current regulations and policy.                     to create any of the aforementioned              product is considered a staple food
                                             For example, a frozen pizza with                                                                               item.
                                                                                                           products
                                             enriched white wheat flour listed as its
                                                                                                         • Mints, chocolate, marshmallow,                      The definition of ‘‘accessory food
                                             main ingredient would be considered a                                                                          items’’, however, is not based on
                                                                                                           gum, toffee, brittle, fudge,
                                             staple food variety in the bread or                                                                            packaging size or style, nor does it
                                                                                                           marzipan, nougat, candy bars, and
                                             cereals staple food category. If the main                                                                      include food items identified in any of
                                                                                                           candy of all kinds
                                             ingredient of a multiple ingredient food
                                                                                                         • Ice cream, ice milk, frozen yogurt,              the four staple food categories. What
                                             item is an accessory food item (e.g.,
                                                                                                           custard, whipped cream, sherbet,                 follows is an illustrative, but not
                                             salt), then that multiple ingredient food
                                                                                                           sorbet, gelato, granita, Italian ices,           exhaustive, list of staple food items
                                             item is considered an accessory food
                                                                                                           frozen carbonated beverages, snow                NOT considered accessory food items;
                                             item. The one exception to this policy
                                                                                                           cones, and ice pops                              any product not listed below will be
                                             is the accessory food item water. If the
                                             main ingredient of a multiple ingredient                    • Any food product with a main                     considered a staple food in the staple
                                                                                                           ingredient that appears on this list             food category of its main ingredient as
                                             food item is water, then that item is
                                                                                                           or in Agency guidance as an                      explained previously.
                                             assigned to the staple food category of
                                             its second listed ingredient. If that                         accessory food item                              Examples of Staple Foods:
                                             second ingredient is also an accessory                   Food Items That Complement or                            • Commercially processed foods and
                                             food item (e.g., sugar) then that item is                     Supplement Meals:                                     prepared mixtures with multiple
                                             considered an accessory food item.                          • Powdered, dried, or extracted                         ingredients with a staple food main
                                                All food products identified as                            spices or seasonings                                  ingredient
                                             accessory food items in Agency                              • Baking soda and baking powder                       • Pre-cut, to-go packages or cups of
                                             guidance materials shall not be                             • Sugar, honey, maple syrup,                            fresh apple, carrot, grapefruit,
                                             considered staple foods for the purposes                      aspartame, molasses, high fructose                    celery, or other fruits or vegetables
                                             of determining the eligibility of any                         corn syrup, and any other natural or                • Single-serving yogurt cups
                                             firm. Any food products with main                             artificial sweeteners                                 containing or not containing fruit,
                                             ingredients identified as accessory food                    • Soda pop, sports or energy drinks,                    with a staple food main ingredient
                                             items in Agency guidance shall also be                        iced tea, fruit punch, mixers for                   • Milk, flavored milk (e.g., chocolate
                                             considered accessory food items and                           alcoholic beverages, water, and all                   milk), and plant-based milk
                                             shall not be considered staple foods for                      other carbonated or uncarbonated                      alternatives (e.g., soy milk), with a
                                             the purposes of determining the                               beverages (except milk, plant-based                   staple food main ingredient
                                             eligibility of any firm. Any other food                       milk alternatives, and 100% fruit or                • Yogurt and flavored yogurt (e.g.,
                                             product that is not identified as an                          vegetable juice)                                      strawberry yogurt) with a staple
                                             accessory food item in Agency guidance                      • Monosodium glutamate, sodium                          food main ingredient
                                             materials shall be considered a staple                        nitrate, olestra, and any other food                • Dehydrated, smoked, fermented,
                                             food in the category of its main                              additives or any food product that                    cured, or dried meats such as jerky
                                             ingredient. Agency guidance that                              is edible but non-caloric and non-                    or salami with a staple food main
                                             explicitly identifies types of accessory                      digestible                                            ingredient (e.g., beef or chicken)
                                             food items will be updated as necessary                     • Vegetable oil, olive oil, shortening,               • Peanut butter, strawberry jam, and
                                             per 7 CFR 278.1(t). If a retail food store                    lard, safflower oil, and any other                    other plant-based spreads with a
                                             owner is unsure as to whether a food                          solid or liquid oils or fats (except                  staple food main ingredient
                                             item is or is not an accessory food item,                     butter)                                             • Fresh vegetables often used as herbs
                                             they may look online for guidance                           • Ketchup, mayonnaise, salad                            including, but not limited to, fresh
                                             through the USDA FNS’s Ask the Expert                         dressing, hot sauce, mustard,                         basil, fresh thyme, and fresh mint
                                             system at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/ask-                       vinegar, relish, horseradish,                       • 100% fruit and/or vegetable juice
                                                                                                           chutney, duck sauce, marmite, and                   • Salsa, hummus, guacamole, and
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             the-expert (--> ‘‘Nutrition’’ -->
                                             ‘‘Supplemental Nutrition Asst Prgm’’).                        all other condiments                                  other plant-based dips with a staple
                                             Additional training for retail food store                   • Vanilla extract or other flavor                       food main ingredient
                                             owners will be made available to further                      extracts and cooking wine                           • Pickled fruits, vegetables, eggs, or
                                             clarify this matter as deemed necessary.                    • Gravy and bouillon                                    meats with a staple food main
                                                What follows is a list of accessory                      • Any food product with a main                          ingredient
                                             food items; any product not listed below                      ingredient that appears on this list                • Single-serving packets of dried fruit


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00021   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                             90696            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  including, but not limited to,                      publishing small business compliance                  commitment to provide vital nutrition
                                                  raisins, prunes, dried apples, and                  guides as this rule becomes finalized as              assistance to our most vulnerable
                                                  dried papaya spears, as well as                     it will help small businesses adapt to                citizens, protect taxpayer monies, and
                                                  dried vegetables                                    the new requirements.’’ As stated                     safeguard Program integrity. The final
                                                • To-go packages of nuts or seeds                     previously in this final rule’s section               rule allows FNS to ensure that retailers
                                                                                                      titled ‘‘Retailer Guidance for                        authorized to participate in SNAP as
                                             VI. Procedural Matters
                                                                                                      Implementation of Final Rule,’’ many                  retail food stores are consistent with the
                                             Executive Order 12866, Executive Order                   Program stakeholders specifically                     purposes of the Program. The final rule
                                             13563, and Executive Order 13272                         requested that FNS provide retailers                  reinforces the intent of SNAP that
                                                Executive Orders 12866 and 13563                      with detailed guidance and training                   participants use their benefits to
                                             direct agencies to assess all costs and                  materials on the rule to ensure that all              purchase more nutritious foods
                                             benefits of available regulatory                         retailers fully understand all of the                 intended for home preparation and
                                             alternatives and, if regulation is                       provisions of the final rule. In addition             consumption.
                                                                                                      to the clarifications and lists of                       Costs: There will be costs to the
                                             necessary, to select regulatory
                                                                                                      examples provided in the preamble of                  Federal government as a result of the
                                             approaches that maximize net benefits
                                                                                                      the final rule, FNS will answer retailer              final rule due to a short-term increase in
                                             (including potential economic,
                                                                                                      inquiries and provide retailers with                  store visits to ensure compliance with
                                             environmental, public health, and safety
                                                                                                      additional notice, guidance, and                      the new stocking requirements. The
                                             effects, distributive impacts, and                                                                             Agency has estimated the total cost to
                                                                                                      training materials during the
                                             equity). Executive Order 13563                                                                                 the Federal government as
                                                                                                      aforementioned implementation period
                                             emphasizes the importance of                                                                                   approximately $3.7 million in Fiscal
                                                                                                      per 7 CFR 278.1(t). This will include
                                             quantifying both cost and benefits, of                                                                         Year (FY) 2018 and $15 million over
                                                                                                      extensive outreach to ensure that the
                                             reducing cost, of harmonizing rules, and                                                                       five years. With respect to the cost
                                                                                                      retailer community is provided with
                                             of promoting flexibility. Finally,                                                                             impact to retailers, the rule would
                                                                                                      sufficient technical assistance to ensure
                                             Executive Order 13272 and the Small                                                                            mainly impact those firms that are
                                                                                                      that all firms are adequately informed
                                             Business Jobs Act of 2010 require                        regarding these changes to SNAP rules.                minimally stocked and those that are
                                             agencies engaged in rulemaking actions                   The SBA also suggested that FNS                       primarily restaurants and, therefore, are
                                             to respond directly to written comments                  should consider ‘‘granting increased                  inconsistent with the statutory intent of
                                             submitted by the Small Business                          compliance time for a percentage of                   the Act to make nutritious foods
                                             Administration (SBA) Office of                           small retailers.’’ As stated previously in            available to SNAP participants for home
                                             Advocacy.                                                this final rule’s section titled DATES, the           preparation and consumption. Some
                                                The SBA Office of Advocacy                            stocking provisions of this final rule                retailers may incur small costs due to
                                             submitted a comment in response to the                   will be implemented 365 days after the                the need to modify their stock.
                                             proposed rule. This comment identified                   effective date of this final rule for all             Estimates of the final rule’s impacts on
                                             shortcomings in FNS’s Regulatory                         currently authorized firms. This phased               retailers are based on an analysis of a
                                             Impact Analysis (RIA) and Regulatory                     implementation will give small format                 nationally representative sample of
                                             Flexibility Analysis (RFA) and also                      retailers the time they need to come into             1,392 SNAP authorized small-format
                                             conveyed the concerns of small business                  compliance with the provisions of this                firms using data gathered by FNS during
                                             stakeholders regarding the RIA, RFA,                     final rule.                                           store inspections, or store visits. Based
                                             and certain provisions of the rule as                       This final rule has been determined to             on this analysis FNS estimates that the
                                             proposed. The SBA commented that the                     be significant and was reviewed by the                average small-format SNAP authorized
                                             RIA and RFA lacked analytical rigor and                  Office of Management and Budget                       firm already stocks over 70% of the
                                             transparency, and further maintained                     (OMB). The Regulatory Impact Analysis                 stock needed to meet the requirements
                                             that the costs, benefits, and other                      (RIA) for this rulemaking was published               of this final rule and the average small-
                                             impacts of the proposed rule were not                    as part of the docket in Supporting                   format SNAP authorized firm will only
                                             sufficiently quantified in the RIA and                   Documents on www.regulations.gov. A                   need to stock an additional 24 items.
                                             RFA. Specifically, the SBA stated that                   summary of the RIA follows.                           Moreover, this analysis indicated that
                                             the Agency’s ‘‘conclusion that the rule’s                                                                      over 98% of small-format SNAP
                                             impact on small authorized SNAP                          Regulatory Impact Analysis Summary
                                                                                                                                                            authorized firms currently stock at least
                                             retailers will amount to $140 is                            Need for Action: The final rule is                 nine perishable staple food items and,
                                             underestimated.’’ Furthermore, the SBA                   needed to clarify and enhance current                 therefore, that the overwhelming
                                             indicated that FNS failed to consider                    regulations governing the eligibility of              majority of small-format SNAP
                                             alternatives adequately when drafting                    retail food stores participating in SNAP              authorized firms will not need to stock
                                             the proposed rule, especially with                       and to codify mandatory provisions of                 any additional perishable items to meet
                                             respect to a narrower rulemaking action                  the 2014 Farm Bill.                                   the requirements in this final rule. The
                                             that codified only the statutory breadth                    Benefits: This final rulemaking will               average cost to a small SNAP authorized
                                             of stock provision. In response to these                 codify mandatory provisions of the 2014               retail food store is estimated at about
                                             and other concerns FNS has carefully                     Farm Bill and strengthen provisions in                $245 in the first year and about $620
                                             reexamined the proposed RIA and RFA.                     current regulations to conform to the                 over five years.
                                             The final versions of these documents                    intent of statutory requirements. The                    Firms that do not stock sufficient
                                             reflect substantial modifications made                   final rule will increase the variety of               staple food items to meet the new
                                             in order to incorporate the feedback of                  nutrient-dense staple food products                   stocking requirements will have the
                                                                                                      offered for sale at SNAP-authorized
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             the SBA as well as industry trade                                                                              opportunity to modify their staple food
                                             associations. These changes address                      firms, while also increasing the required             stock in order to be eligible to continue
                                             concerns regarding the consideration of                  depth of stock. Together, these                       participating in SNAP. In the course of
                                             alternatives and the calculation of the                  provisions will help to ensure that                   store reviews, FNS has observed that
                                             cost impact, among others.                               SNAP households have access to                        stores that are determined to not be
                                                Additionally, in its comment the SBA                  healthier foods on a continuous basis.                eligible typically expand their food
                                             suggested that ‘‘FNS should commit to                    The final rule reflects the Agency’s                  offerings to participate in SNAP.


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00022   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                      90697

                                               It should be noted that most of the                    margins and administrative costs                      inclusion in the preamble to the
                                             provisions in this final rule have been                  associated with reading guidance to                   regulations describing the agencies’
                                             modified significantly from their                        ensure compliance with the                            considerations in terms of the three
                                             proposed language. This final rule, for                  requirements. The average cost to a                   categories called for under Section
                                             example, requires less stock than the                    SNAP-authorized retailer is estimated at              6(b)(2)(B) of the Executive Order 13132.
                                             proposed rule (i.e., 168 item stock                      about $245 in the first year and $620                   FNS has determined that this
                                             requirement proposed and 84 item stock                   over five years.                                      rulemaking does not have Federalism
                                             required in the final rule). Nevertheless,                                                                     implications. This rule does not impose
                                                                                                      Public Law 104–4, the Unfunded                        substantial or direct compliance costs
                                             the final average retailer cost estimate
                                                                                                      Mandate Reform Act                                    on State and local governments.
                                             (about $245 in the first year and about
                                             $620 over five years per firm) represents                   Title II of the Unfunded Mandate                   Therefore, under Section 6(b) of the
                                             an increase over the cost estimate                       Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public                     Executive Order, a Federalism summary
                                             presented in the proposed RIA and RFA                    Law 104–4, establishes requirements for               impact statement is not required.
                                             (about $140 in the first year per firm).                 Federal agencies to assess the effects of
                                                                                                      their regulatory actions on State, local,             Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice
                                             Several commenters pointed out types                                                                           Reform
                                             of costs, including ongoing costs, not                   and Tribal governments, and the private
                                             originally accounted for in the Agency’s                 sector. Under Section 202 of the UMRA,                   This rule has been reviewed under
                                             cost estimate (e.g., ‘‘opportunity costs’’).             the Agency generally must prepare a                   Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice
                                             FNS appreciates this public feedback                     written statement, including a cost-                  Reform. This rule is intended to have
                                             and has incorporated these types of                      benefit analysis, for proposed and final              preemptive effects with respect to any
                                             costs in its calculations of estimated                   rules with ‘‘Federal mandates’’ that may              State or local laws, regulations, or
                                             cost for the final rule’s RIA and RFA.                   result in expenditures to State, local, or            policies which conflict with its
                                                                                                      Tribal governments in the aggregate, or               provisions or which would otherwise
                                             Regulatory Flexibility Act                               to the private sector, of $146 million or             impede its full implementation. This
                                                This final rule has been reviewed                     more (when adjusted for 2015 inflation;               rule is not intended to have retroactive
                                             with regard to the requirements of the                   GDP deflator source: Table 1.1.9 at                   effects unless so specified in the Dates
                                             Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5                    http://www.bea.gov/iTable) in any one                 paragraph of the final rule. Prior to any
                                             U.S.C. 601–612). Pursuant to that                        year. When such a statement is needed                 judicial challenge to the provisions of
                                             review, FNS believes that the                            for a rule, Section 205 of the UMRA                   the final rule or the application of its
                                             rulemaking does not present a                            generally requires the Agency to                      provisions, all applicable administrative
                                             substantial economic impact to a                         identify and consider a reasonable                    procedures must be exhausted.
                                             considerable number of small                             number of regulatory alternatives and                 Executive Order 13175, Tribal Impact
                                             businesses; although the number of                       adopt the least costly, more cost-                    Statement
                                             stores impacted is large, we estimate                    effective, or least burdensome
                                             that the cost to those small businesses                  alternative that achieves the objectives                This rule has been reviewed in
                                             for stocking additional stock would be                   of the rule. This rule contains no                    accordance with the requirements of
                                             nominal, on average about $245 in the                    Federal mandates (under the regulatory                Executive Order 13175, ‘‘Consultation
                                             first year and $620 over five years. FNS                 provisions of Title II of the UMRA) for               and Coordination with Indian Tribal
                                             has prepared a final Regulatory                          State, local and Tribal governments or                Governments.’’ Executive Order 13175
                                             Flexibility Analysis (RFA) to respond to                 the private sector of $146 million or                 requires Federal agencies to consult and
                                             public comments received in reference                    more in any one year. This rulemaking                 coordinate with tribes on a government-
                                             to the proposed RFA and to reflect                       is, therefore, not subject to the                     to-government basis on policies that
                                             revisions to the rule. The complete RFA                  requirements of Sections 202 and 205 of               have tribal implications, including
                                             for this final rule was published as part                the UMRA.                                             regulations, legislative comments or
                                             of the docket in Supporting Documents                                                                          proposed legislation, and other policy
                                             on www.regulations.gov. A summary of                     Executive Order 12372                                 statements or actions that have
                                             the RFA follows.                                            Executive Order 12372 requires                     substantial direct effects on one or more
                                                                                                      Federal agencies to engage in                         Indian tribes, on the relationship
                                             Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
                                                                                                      intergovernmental consultation with                   between the Federal Government and
                                             Statement
                                                                                                      State and local officials when involved               Indian tribes or on the distribution of
                                               This final rule will impact nearly                     in Federal financial assistance programs              power and responsibilities between the
                                             200,000 small grocery stores and                         and direct Federal development. SNAP                  Federal Government and Indian tribes.
                                             convenience stores by requiring that                     is listed in the Catalog of Federal                     Currently, FNS provides regularly
                                             these stores make changes to their stock                 Domestic Assistance under No. 10.551.                 scheduled quarterly information
                                             in order to comply with the new                          For the reasons set forth in the Final                sessions as a venue for collaborative
                                             minimum stocking requirement                             Rule codified in 7 CFR part 3015,                     conversations with Tribal officials or
                                             mandated in this rule. FNS estimates                     Subpart V and related Notice (48 FR                   their designees. Reports from these
                                             that for the vast majority of stores the                 29115, June 24, 1983), this Program is                information sessions are part of the
                                             changes needed will be minimal and                       excluded from the scope of Executive                  USDA annual reporting on Tribal
                                             represent a negligible share of a store’s                Order 12372.                                          consultation and collaboration.
                                             total gross sales. The average small store                                                                       During the open comment period FNS
                                             will need to add an estimated 24 items                   Executive Order 13132, Federalism                     received a letter from an Indian Tribal
                                             to their existing stock to meet the new                  Summary Impact Statement                              Organization (ITO). On September 28,
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             minimum requirement in this rule.                          Executive Order 13132 requires                      2016, the Food and Nutrition Service
                                             Costs would be greatest in the first year,               Federal agencies to consider the impact               met with the Tribal Organization and 8
                                             as stores make one-time changes to their                 of their regulatory actions on State and              Tribes represented by this Organization
                                             stock. In future years, costs will be                    local governments. Where such actions                 to further discuss comments contained
                                             primarily opportunity costs associated                   have Federalism implications, agencies                in this letter. FNS identified one (1)
                                             with stocking items with lower profit                    are directed to provide a statement for               actionable comment, e.g. SNAP


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00023   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                             90698            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                             eligibility should be considered                         intends to provide Program stakeholders               perishable foods in at least three such
                                             circumstantially in areas with limited                   with guidance and technical assistance                categories, (Criterion A) as set forth in
                                             food access.                                             materials related to this final rule                  § 278.1(b)(1) of this chapter, or has more
                                                The 2014 Farm Bill authorized                         utilizing online media. The Agency also               than 50 percent of its total gross retail
                                             additional consideration where an                        intends to use online media to publicly               sales in staple foods (Criterion B) as set
                                             applicant retailer is located in an area                 disclose information regarding firms                  forth in § 278.1(b)(1) of this chapter as
                                             with significantly limited access to food                sanctioned for Program violations.                    determined by visual inspection,
                                             when determining the qualifications of                                                                         marketing structure, business licenses,
                                             that applicant. This flexibility of the                  List of Subjects
                                                                                                                                                            accessibility of food items offered for
                                             rule was clarified during the meeting on                 7 CFR Part 271                                        sale, purchase and sales records,
                                             September 28, to provide a deeper                                                                              counting of stockkeeping units, or other
                                                                                                        Food stamps, Grant programs—Social
                                             understanding of the agency’s                                                                                  accounting recordkeeping methods that
                                                                                                      programs, Reporting and recordkeeping
                                             underlying rationale in implementing                                                                           are customary or reasonable in the retail
                                                                                                      requirements.
                                             this program in this manner.                                                                                   food industry as set forth in § 278.1(b)(1)
                                                If a Tribe requests consultation, the                 7 CFR Part 278                                        of this chapter. Entities that have more
                                             Food and Nutrition Service will work                       Claims, Disqualification, Financial                 than 50 percent of their total gross retail
                                             with the Office of Tribal Relations to                   institutions, Fines and penalties, Food               sales in: Food cooked or heated on-site
                                             ensure meaningful consultation is                        stamps, Retail food stores, Wholesale                 by the retailer before or after purchase;
                                             provided where changes, additions, and                   food concerns.                                        and hot and/or cold prepared foods not
                                             modifications identified herein are not                                                                        intended for home preparation and
                                             expressly mandated by Congress.                            Accordingly, for reasons set forth in
                                                                                                      the preamble, 7 CFR parts 271 and 278                 consumption, including prepared foods
                                             USDA Regulation 4300–4, Civil Rights                     are amended as follows:                               that are consumed on the premises or
                                             Impact Analysis                                                                                                sold for carry-out are not eligible for
                                                                                                      ■ 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR
                                                                                                                                                            SNAP participation as retail food stores
                                                FNS has reviewed this final rule in                   parts 271 and 278 continue to read as                 under § 278.1(b)(1) of this chapter.
                                             accordance with Departmental                             follows:                                              Establishments that include separate
                                             Regulations 4300–4, ‘‘Civil Rights                           Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2011–2036.                    businesses that operate under one roof
                                             Impact Analysis’’ (CRIA) and 1512–1,                                                                           and share the following commonalities:
                                             ‘‘Regulatory Decision Making                             PART 271—GENERAL INFORMATION                          Ownership, sale of similar foods, and
                                             Requirements’’ to identify and address                   AND DEFINITIONS                                       shared inventory, are considered to be a
                                             any major civil rights impacts the final                                                                       single firm when determining eligibility
                                             rule might have on minorities, women,                    ■ 2. In § 271.2:
                                                                                                      ■ a. Add a definition for Firm in                     to participate in SNAP as retail food
                                             and persons with disabilities. This final                                                                      stores.
                                             rule enhances current regulations and                    alphabetical order.
                                             codifies statutory requirements and,                     ■ b. Revise paragraph (1) of the                      *     *      *    *     *
                                             after a careful review of the final rule’s               definition of Retail food store.                         Staple food means those food items
                                             intent and provisions, FNS has                           ■ c. Revise the definition of Staple food.            intended for home preparation and
                                             determined that this final rule will not                   The addition and revisions read as                  consumption in each of the following
                                             have an adverse impact on any retail                     follows:                                              four categories: Meat, poultry, or fish;
                                             food store owners or SNAP recipients                                                                           bread or cereals; vegetables or fruits;
                                                                                                      § 271.2    Definitions.                               and dairy products. The meat, poultry,
                                             belonging to protected classes. The
                                                                                                      *       *    *      *    *                            or fish staple food category also
                                             complete CRIA for this final rule was
                                                                                                        Firm. (1) Firm means:                               includes up to three types of plant-
                                             published as part of the docket in
                                                                                                         (i) A retail food store that is                    based protein sources (i.e., nuts/seeds,
                                             Supporting Documents on
                                                                                                      authorized to accept or redeem SNAP                   beans, and peas) as well as varieties of
                                             www.regulations.gov.
                                                                                                      benefits;                                             plant-based meat analogues (e.g., tofu).
                                             Paperwork Reduction Act                                     (ii) A retail food store that is not               The dairy products staple food category
                                                The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995                   authorized to accept or redeem SNAP                   also includes varieties of plant-based
                                             (44 U.S.C. Chap. 35; see 5 CFR part                      benefits; or                                          dairy alternative staple food items such
                                             1320) requires that the Office of                           (iii) An entity that does not meet the             as, but not limited to, almond milk and
                                             Management and Budget (OMB)                              definition of a retail food store.                    soy yogurt. Hot foods are not eligible for
                                             approve all collections of information                      (2) For purposes of the regulations in             purchase with SNAP benefits and,
                                             by a Federal agency from the public                      this subchapter and SNAP policies, the                therefore, do not qualify as staple foods
                                             before they can be implemented.                          terms firm, entity, retailer, and store are           for the purpose of determining
                                             Respondents are not required to respond                  used interchangeably.                                 eligibility under § 278.1(b)(1) of this
                                             to any collection of information unless                  *       *    *      *    *                            chapter. Commercially processed foods
                                             it displays a current valid OMB control                     Retail food store means:                           and prepared mixtures with multiple
                                             number. There is no new information                         (1) An establishment or house-to-                  ingredients that do not represent a
                                             collection burden associated with this                   house trade route that sells food for                 single staple food category shall only be
                                             final rule.                                              home preparation and consumption                      counted in one staple food category. For
                                                                                                      normally displayed in a public area, and              example, foods such as cold pizza,
                                             E-Government Act Compliance                              either offers for sale qualifying staple              macaroni and cheese, multi-ingredient
                                               FNS is committed to complying with                     food items on a continuous basis,                     soup, or frozen dinners, shall only be
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             the E-Government Act, to promote the                     evidenced by having no fewer than                     counted as one staple food item and will
                                             use of the Internet and other                            seven different varieties of food items in            be included in the staple food category
                                             information technologies to provide                      each of the four staple food categories               of the main ingredient as determined by
                                             increased opportunities for citizen                      with a minimum depth of stock of three                FNS. Accessory food items include
                                             access to government information and                     stocking units for each qualifying staple             foods that are generally considered
                                             services, and for other purposes. FNS                    variety, including at least one variety of            snack foods or desserts such as, but not


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00024   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1


                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                            90699

                                             limited to, chips, ice cream, crackers,                  requirement. Such documentation can                   to food when the applicant firm fails to
                                             cupcakes, cookies, popcorn, pastries,                    be achieved through verifying                         meet Criterion A per paragraph (b)(1)(ii)
                                             and candy, and other food items that                     information, when requested by FNS,                   or Criterion B per paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of
                                             complement or supplement meals, such                     such as invoices and receipts in order to             this section so long as the applicant firm
                                             as, but not limited to, coffee, tea, cocoa,              prove that the firm had ordered and/or                meets all other SNAP authorization
                                             carbonated and uncarbonated drinks,                      received a sufficient amount of required              requirements. In determining whether
                                             condiments, spices, salt, and sugar.                     staple foods up to 21 calendar days                   an applicant is located in such an area,
                                             Items shall not be classified as accessory               prior to the date of the store visit.                 FNS may consider access factors such
                                             food exclusively based on packaging                      Failure to provide verifying information              as, but not limited to, the distance from
                                             size but rather based on the                             related to stock when requested may                   the applicant firm to the nearest
                                             aforementioned definition and as                         result in denial or withdrawal of                     currently SNAP authorized firm and
                                             determined by FNS. A food product                        authorization. Failure to cooperate with              transportation options. In determining
                                             containing an accessory food item as its                 store visits shall result in the denial or            whether to authorize an applicant
                                             main ingredient shall be considered an                   withdrawal of authorization.                          despite its failure to meet Criterion A
                                             accessory food item. Accessory food                      *      *     *     *     *                            and Criterion B, FNS will also consider
                                             items shall not be considered staple                        (C) Offer a variety of staple foods                factors such as, but not limited to, the
                                             foods for purposes of determining the                    which means different types of foods                  extent of the applicant firm’s stocking
                                             eligibility of any firm.                                 within each staple food category. For                 deficiencies in meeting Criterion A and
                                             *     *      *    *      *                               example: Apples, cabbage, tomatoes,                   Criterion B and whether the store
                                                                                                      bananas, pumpkins, broccoli, and                      furthers the purposes of the Program.
                                             PART 278—PARTICIPATION OF                                grapes in the vegetables or fruits                    Such considerations will be conducted
                                             RETAIL FOOD STORES WHOLESALE                             category; or cow milk, almond milk, soy               during the application process as
                                             FOOD CONCERNS AND INSURED                                yogurt, soft cheese, butter, sour cream,              described in paragraph (a) of this
                                             FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS                                   and cow milk yogurt in the dairy                      section.
                                                                                                      products category; or rice, bagels, pitas,            *      *    *     *     *
                                             ■ 3. In § 278.1:                                         bread, pasta, oatmeal, and whole wheat                   (q) * * *
                                             ■ a. Amend the last sentence in                          flour in the bread or cereals category; or               (5) Public disclosure of firms
                                             paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A) by removing the                   chicken, beans, nuts, beef, pork, eggs,               sanctioned for SNAP violations. FNS
                                             word ‘‘two’’ and adding in its place the                 and tuna in the meat, poultry, or fish                may disclose information to the public
                                             word ‘‘three’’.                                          category. Variety of foods is not to be               when a retail food store has been
                                             ■ b. Revise paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A);                     interpreted as different brands, nutrient             disqualified or otherwise sanctioned for
                                             ■ c. Amend the first sentence in                         values (e.g., low sodium and lite),                   violations of the Program after the time
                                             paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B) by removing the                  flavorings (e.g., vanilla and chocolate),             for administrative and judicial appeals
                                             word ‘‘two’’ and adding in its place the                 packaging types or styles (e.g., canned               has expired. This information is limited
                                             word ‘‘three’’.                                          and frozen) or package sizes of the same              to the name and address of the store, the
                                             ■ d. Revise paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(C);                     or similar foods. Similar food items                  owner(s’) name(s) and information
                                             ■ e. Revise the fourth sentence in                       such as, but not limited to, tomatoes and             about the sanction itself. FNS may
                                             paragraph (b)(1)(iv);                                    tomato juice, different types of rice,                continue to disclose this information for
                                             ■ f. Redesignate paragraph (b)(6) as
                                                                                                      whole milk and skim milk, ground beef                 as long as the duration of the sanction.
                                             paragraph (b)(7);                                        and beefsteak, or different types of
                                             ■ g. Add new paragraph (b)(6).
                                                                                                                                                            In the event that a sanctioned firm is
                                                                                                      apples (e.g., Empire, Jonagold, and                   assigned a civil penalty in lieu of a
                                             ■ h. Add paragraph (q)(5).
                                                                                                      McIntosh), shall count as depth of stock              period of disqualification, as described
                                               The additions and revisions read as                    but shall not each be counted as more
                                             follows:                                                                                                       in § 278.6(a), FNS may continue to
                                                                                                      than one staple food variety for the                  disclose this information for as long as
                                             § 278.1 Approval of retail food stores and               purpose of determining the number of                  the duration of the period of
                                             wholesale food concerns.                                 varieties in any staple food category.                disqualification or until the civil
                                             *      *    *     *     *                                Accessory foods shall not be counted as               penalty has been paid in full, whichever
                                               (b) * * *                                              staple foods for purposes of determining              is longer.
                                               (1) * * *                                              eligibility to participate in SNAP as a               *      *    *     *     *
                                               (ii) * * *                                             retail food store.
                                                                                                                                                              Dated: December 7, 2016.
                                               (A) Offer for sale and normally                        *      *     *     *     *
                                                                                                         (iv) * * * In addition, firms that are             Audrey Rowe,
                                             display in a public area, qualifying
                                             staple food items on a continuous basis,                 considered to be restaurants, that is,                Acting Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition and
                                                                                                      firms that have more than 50 percent of               Consumer Services.
                                             evidenced by having, on any given day
                                             of operation, no fewer than seven                        their total gross sales in foods cooked or            [FR Doc. 2016–29837 Filed 12–14–16; 8:45 am]
                                             different varieties of food items in each                heated on-site by the retailer before or              BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
                                             of the four staple food categories with a                after purchase; and hot and/or cold
                                             minimum depth of stock of three                          prepared foods not intended for home
                                             stocking units for each qualifying staple                preparation or consumption, including                 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
                                             variety and at least one variety of                      prepared foods that are consumed on
                                             perishable foods in at least three staple                the premises or sold for carryout, shall              10 CFR Part 609
                                             food categories. Documentation to                        not qualify for participation as retail
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             determine if a firm stocks a sufficient                  food stores under Criterion A or                      RIN 1901–AB38
                                             amount of required staple foods to offer                 B. * * *
                                                                                                                                                            Loan Guarantees for Projects That
                                             them for sale on a continuous basis may                  *      *     *     *     *                            Employ Innovative Technologies
                                             be required in cases where it is not clear                  (6) Need for access. FNS will consider
                                             that the firm has made reasonable                        whether the applicant firm is located in              AGENCY:Loan Programs Office,
                                             stocking efforts to meet the stocking                    an area with significantly limited access             Department of Energy.


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014    14:00 Dec 14, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00025   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\15DER1.SGM   15DER1



Document Created: 2016-12-15 01:10:30
Document Modified: 2016-12-15 01:10:30
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
ContactVicky Robinson, Chief, Retailer Management and Issuance Branch (RMIB), Retailer Policy and Management Division (RPMD), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302. Ms. Robinson can also be reached by telephone at (703) 305-2476 or by email at [email protected] during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday.
FR Citation81 FR 90675 
RIN Number0584-AE27
CFR Citation7 CFR 271
7 CFR 278
CFR AssociatedFood Stamps; Grant Programs-Social Programs; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Claims; Disqualification; Financial Institutions; Fines and Penalties; Retail Food Stores and Wholesale Food Concerns

2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR