While traditional brick-and-mortar grocery stores face steep inventory hikes—such as the new “7-variety rule”—direct-market growers and agricultural vendors generally qualify under a different path: Criterion B.
How Criterion B Protects Direct-Market Sales
Instead of maintaining massive, year-round inventories across strict category minimums like traditional supermarkets, direct-marketing farmers and multi-vendor farmers markets typically qualify for SNAP authorization by meeting a sales threshold:
- The 50% Rule: More than 50% of the vendor’s or market’s total gross retail sales must come from eligible staple foods (such as fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and eggs).
- What Counts vs. What Doesn’t: Whole, seasonal produce and raw farm proteins easily count toward staple food sales. However, accessory items like honey, maple syrup, and prepared items like ice cream do not count as staple foods—meaning vendors selling a high volume of value-added sweets need to ensure their core agricultural products still comfortably clear the 50% threshold.
For local growers and seasonal farm stands, these rules mean you can continue bringing fresh, local food to your community through SNAP without being forced to stock the massive, multi-category inventories required of standard grocery stores.
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