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New USDA rule could force thousands of convenience stores to stop accepting food stamps

By
FOX Local
Consumer
Published September 4, 2026 9:51 AM EDT
Published September 4, 2026 9:51 AM EDT
article

Love's gas station and sign on building exterior entrance in Missouri with convenience store closeup for food stamps (Getty Images)

The Brief

    • Nearly 250 stores sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins this week, asking for the agency to delay a new rule requiring them to carry more fresh produce and protein in order to continue accepting food stamps. 
    • The ​letter was signed by owners of major chains, including 7-Eleven, Wawa, Sheetz and RaceTrac, along with smaller ​store operators. 
    • The store owners say without more guidance, thousands of convenience stores could be forced to stop accepting SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, come Nov. 4.

Thousands of convenience stores in the U.S. could have to stop accepting food stamps unless the federal government delays a new rule requiring them to carry more fresh produce and protein.

Nearly 250 stores sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins this week, asking for more guidance on how to meet the new standards, Reuters reports. 

What’s the new food stamps rule for convenience stores?

Big picture view:

In May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a final rule requiring grocers that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as SNAP or food stamps, to ⁠offer at least seven varieties of each of four main food groups: dairy, vegetables or fruits, grains and protein.

RELATED: USDA: SNAP enrollment drops by 5.3 million following new work rules - State-by-state breakdown

Stores that don’t meet the new requirements will no longer be allowed to accept SNAP. 

By the numbers:

More than 117,000 ​convenience stores participate ​in SNAP, retailers said in the letter, per Reuters. That’s nearly half of all stores that accept SNAP benefits. The ​letter was signed by owners of major chains, including 7-Eleven, Wawa, Sheetz and RaceTrac, along with smaller ​store operators. 

What they're saying:

In the letter sent to Rollins, the National Association of Convenience Stores, National Association of Truck Stop Owners and SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers all say they haven’t been given enough guidance on how to implement the new standards. Retailers are asking the USDA ​to issue more guidance and delay enforcement for six months so they can source the new products and restock store shelves. 

The other side:

A USDA spokesperson told Reuters it "appreciates ​hearing from these trade associations and stands by to aid their member ​companies as they work to stock 28 varieties of staple food items."

The Source: This report includes information from Reuters.

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