USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Andrea Gold spoke with FMI members at FMI’s State Issues Retreat earlier this month about a number of updates in the agency’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). There was a particular interest in the request for a volunteer application that USDA is expecting to release later in September for a very limited number of pilots of online redemption of SNAP food assistance benefits. Gold said volunteers would have 45 days after the release to submit a rather extensive application. The idea behind the limited pilots is to gather information to determine whether online redemption of SNAP benefits should be considered when reauthorization of the SNAP program is discussed.

Harvest Market owner Tom Honer and his daughter and store manager Jennifer Bosma welcomed FMI's Director of Member Relations Cynthia Brazzel to their two stores, one in Fort Bragg and the other in Mendocino, Calif.

We recently launched the second annual Power of Produce research at FMI Connect. This year’s report was prepared by 210 Analytics and made possible by Yerecic Label. The report looks at shopper habits regarding fruits and vegetables pre-trip, in-store and at home, as well as hundreds of shopper suggestions on how to improve the produce department. For food retailers looking to use the produce department to set themselves apart, this reports give insights into the shopper’s produce purchasing process and the real power produce can bring to your store’s business.

If you’re a food safety professional working on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) these days you might be having an identity crisis. It’s okay. Stay calm, we have resources to help.