U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and a bipartisan contingent of nearly 30 other lawmakers requested information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) about actions the agency is taking to expand the delivery options available to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.
“During this public health and economic crisis, it is vital that USDA do everything it can to continue to further expand delivery and curbside pickup options for SNAP recipients,” Sen. Collins and her colleagues wrote in a May 11 letter sent to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue.
“These tools not only benefit and protect SNAP participants, but they are also essential for the economic benefits that SNAP purchases provide to businesses, farmers and local communities,” the lawmakers wrote.
The senators asked Perdue to answer several questions, including what steps have been taken to expand the ability of authorized SNAP retailers to access mobile/wireless Point of Sale (POS) devices for the purpose of delivery and curbside pickup.
Sen. Collins and her colleagues also asked what steps USDA has taken to notify SNAP recipients of the options that currently exist for online ordering, delivery and pickup options, and whether USDA has issued any guidance or best practices for retailers about how to protect SNAP participants from fraud.
Additionally, the senators asked Perdue if the agency is working to expand the technical support available to farmers, farmers markets and food hubs to offer delivery services to SNAP participants, among myriad other questions.
Among the senators who joined Sen. Collins in signing the letter was U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA).