Proposed SNAP Rules Mandate 'Buy American' Food Purchases, Kicking In Next Year

The Farmers Feeding America Act is taking a big swing at how federal food assistance dollars are spent. In short, this bill mandates a “Buy American” rule for nearly everything purchased through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Starting one year after the bill becomes law, if you’re using SNAP benefits, the food you buy must be an “American Food Product.”

What counts as an American Food Product? It has to be grown, harvested, or produced here, and processed or manufactured here, with at least 51 percent of the ingredients sourced domestically (SEC. 3). The stated purpose is clear: boost domestic agriculture and strengthen our food supply chain (SEC. 2). But for the 41 million Americans relying on SNAP, this is a major change that could hit their wallets and grocery carts.

The 51% Rule: What’s on the Shelf?

This is where things get complicated for both shoppers and stores. If you’re a SNAP recipient, this bill means checking labels—or trusting your retailer—to ensure your purchases meet the domestic sourcing rules. For example, a can of soup might be processed in the U.S., but if the main ingredients (like tomatoes or spices) are mostly imported, it wouldn't qualify. This could narrow down choices, especially for common items where imported ingredients often keep prices lower.

Crucially, the bill does offer exceptions (SEC. 4). You can still buy imported food if the American version isn't available in sufficient quantity, or if the quality isn't reasonable. The Secretary of Agriculture can also grant an exemption if forcing the domestic purchase would put an “unfair burden” on the SNAP household—think significantly higher prices or lack of specific foods needed for dietary reasons. However, the exact definition of “unfair burden” is left up to the Secretary, which means the real-world impact on food access could depend heavily on how that discretion is used.

Retailers Get Homework and Penalties

For grocery stores and retailers authorized to accept SNAP, this bill creates significant new obligations (SEC. 5). They must make a “genuine, good-faith effort” to stock American food products within the categories they already sell. This isn't a suggestion; it’s a requirement backed by potential penalties. If a store repeatedly fails to comply, they could lose their authorization to accept SNAP benefits entirely.

Imagine you run a small, independent grocery store. You now have to audit your inventory and supply chains to ensure compliance with the 51% domestic ingredient rule across thousands of products. You also have to be ready to report those efforts to the Department of Agriculture. This adds substantial operational cost and complexity, and those costs rarely just disappear—they often get passed on to consumers or result in fewer stores being willing to accept SNAP.

The Rollout and Real-World Impact

This Act is set to take effect one year after enactment (SEC. 7), giving everyone time to adjust. The government is also required to run a public awareness campaign to inform both SNAP recipients and retailers about the new rules (SEC. 6).

While the goal of supporting American farmers is something most people can get behind, the practical challenge lies in implementation. For a family relying on SNAP, if the domestic version of a product costs 20% more, that family loses purchasing power immediately. They might be forced to choose between less food overall or spending time navigating the exemption process—if they even know it exists. The annual review mandated in the bill (SEC. 6) will be critical to see if the economic benefit to farmers outweighs the potential cost and choice restrictions placed on low-income families.