Grocery stores must stock more fresh food to accept food stamps

The US government has updated rules for grocery stores that accept food stamps. Stores must now offer more types of fresh food and more overall variety in staple categories like meat and vegetables.

This rule makes it harder for small convenience stores to qualify for food stamp programs. These stores often serve low-income areas where larger grocery stores are scarce. The change means people in these areas might have fewer places to use their food stamps, even if it aims to improve food access overall.