5 Benefits of Technology for Retail Stores: A Game-Changer for Business Success
Retail store owners of convenience stores, grocery stores, specialty retail and the like can experience big benefits by investing in technology. It has made its way into almost every facet of our lives and has proven to be a necessity. Although technology can have its drawbacks, there is no doubt that it has made our […]
How Farmers Leverage Digital Agriculture to Better Food Sustainability
Farmers fuel food sustainability by using digital agriculture platforms that improve farming efficiency and optimize the food supply chain. Technology has been optimizing every area of our lives since the digital revolution began, so it only makes sense that this idea made its way into our food system. Here are some ways that digital agriculture […]
Local Farmers + USDA Feed Kids with the Farm to School Program
Local farmers and the USDA bring fresh local food to schools to enrich the connection communities have with local food producers with the Farm to School grant program. This program was a part of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, like the National School Lunch Program, that aims to increase nutritional value of […]
USDA Increases GusNIP Funding
The USDA announced an $8 million dollar increase in funding for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) Produce Prescription Program on August 10th, 2022. This investment comes as a part of continued efforts from the USDA to increase health and nutrition security for those in need.
5 Age-Verification Sales Tips Your Staff Should Learn
Age verification is important now more than ever since there are approximately 54,000,000 age-restricted transactions per day. The United States has laws in place that protect minors from age-restricted items, and if your store accidentally makes an age-restricted sale to a minor, then you could possibly face legal trouble. Here are 5 things your staff […]
USDA Helps School Children with the National School Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program is arguably the most important anti-hunger program for school children in the United States. As we welcome kids back to school for the 2022-2023 school year, let’s learn more about the NSLP and its impact in the United States …
FNS Reauthorization: 5 Things You Need to Know
FNS reauthorization might sound like another painful task you want to put off, but the reality is the process is easier than you think! How do you know you need to apply for FNS reauthorization? You will receive a letter in the mail telling you that it is time to re-apply! In the meantime, here […]
Addressing Food Insecurity: USDA’s Impactful Initiatives
Food insecurity has become a larger and larger issue over the last few years, but the USDA has been working diligently to help lessen the impacts of this issue.
USDA Increases School Lunch Funding Amid Rising Costs
On July 22, 2022, the USDA announced a funding increase “to help schools continue to serve kids healthy meals this coming school year and provide financial relief for schools and child care providers.” The increase will be effective July 1, 2022, and schools will receive an additional $0.68 per free/reduced lunch meals and $0.32 per […]
EBT For Farmers Markets is a SNAP
EBT, the payment system for SNAP benefits, is available in more farmers markets than you may think. In fact, EBT is accepted in farmers markets in all 50 states! EBT being accepted in farmers markets provides a number of benefits for both farmers and SNAP recipients including…
5 Ways to Combat Labor Shortage in Retail: A Guide for Store Owners
Labor shortage is just one of the many impacts the pandemic has had on our economy. In 2021, 47 million workers resigned from their jobs to find more flexible workplaces. The pandemic seemed to make more workers realize they value work-life balance above all else, and they won’t settle for less than what they want. […]
4 C’s Impacting Food Security
From COVID-19 to conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war to rising costs from inflation and food supply chain issues, the last two-and-a-half years have not been easy for any of us. COVID-19 has impacted nearly every facet of our lives worldwide, but it has had a particularly strong impact on food security. World hunger and poverty […]
USDA Announces Summer P-EBT Program
On July 11th, 2022, the USDA announced their P-EBT program, which is a partnership with 27 states and territories (and growing) that provides summer food benefits to eligible children. For years, the summertime has been a struggle for millions of families who rely heavily on the school system to feed their children throughout the year. […]
Ultimate Guide: Applying to Accept SNAP as a Retailer
Are you a store owner looking for a quick snapshot of the retailer application for SNAP? Our free EBT resources are exactly what you need if you are interested in applying to accept SNAP! Before you get started on the application take our SNAP retailer quiz to see if you qualify.
5 Ways Store Owners Can Prepare for an Active Shooter Event
Active shooter situations are increasing. What can grocery store and convenience store owners do to prepare for these terrifying situations? It is no secret that active shooter cases have been on the rise over the last several years, and with the recent grocery store shootings in Colorado, Florida and New York, grocers need to be […]
SNAP Recipients | Know Your SNAP Customers
SNAP recipients come from a variety of backgrounds and situations. While we may think we know who uses SNAP, the reality is SNAP recipients are far more diverse than most people realize, and can include your friends, neighbors, family, coworkers, etc. SNAP users are more varied and a lot closer to home than you think, […]
USDA Reduces Food Insecurity with New Framework
The USDA has announced a new framework that aims to create a more fair, competitive, and resilient food system. This system builds on the existing work the USDA has been doing since 2021 to address supply chain and structural issues. The last few years have shown issues in our food system we didn’t know we […]
Don’t make these SNAP retailer mistakes…
SNAP retailer requirements are strict, and keeping track of mistakes can be a complex process. Although SNAP fraud is relatively rare, failure to comply with program rules can result in severe consequences for your business, such as: Temporary or permanent disqualification from the program Monetary penalties and fines Criminal prosecution To help you navigate program rules, we’ve put together a list of common types of fraud and errors that […]
USDA Celebrates National School Lunch Week + Farm to School Month
Since 1946, the National School Lunch Program has provided nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches in schools to improve the health and wellbeing of America’s children. Research shows school meals may be the healthiest food children receive in a day, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SNAP benefits increased by over 25 percent in USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan
On Monday, August 16, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, which is used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As a result of this re-evaluation, the average SNAP benefit–excluding additional funds provided as part of COVID-19 pandemic relief–will increase beginning on October 1, 2021.
Merchant Snapshot: Hawkins House of Burgers
80+ Years of Serving Los Angeles… from Locals to Celebrities goEBT EBT processing merchant Hawkins House of Burgers, home to “The Best Burger in Los Angeles,” has been a staple in the Watts neighborhood of southeast Los Angeles for more than 80 years. Cynthia Hawkins, the youngest of 14 children, is the third generation of […]
Merchant Snapshot: Sr. Cliff’s Texas Style Burritos
50 Years and Counting in the Food Industry goEBT EBT processing merchant Sr. Cliff’s Texas Style Burritos, home of the original Soul Man burrito, has been providing Afro-Mexican fusion food to the Compton community since 1992. However, the story of this community staple actually began in 1969, when founder and co-owner Cliff Williams arrived in […]