The use of food stamps in stores is now a common occurrence. With the Biden administration boosting the supply of food stamps, the use of food stamps increased. Following the increased funding and participation and the potential for a greater pool, independent business owners may want to consider accepting EBT cards if they don’t already. Electronic benefit cards were used during the pandemic to purchase goods online, and their use proved to be profitable for all parties involved. Stores allowed to participate include:
- Supermarkets
- Convenience stores
- Food retailers
- Farmer’s markets
- Local food cooperatives
- Online stores
Currently, over 248,000 stores all over the United States participate in the use of food stamps. The participation of stores has become more popular over time, and more stores have joined. The advantages are difficult to ignore. They include:
- Sales increase: Many people use EBT, especially following the pandemic; participating in EBT card use in stores increases overall sales.
- Revenue increase: the use of EBT in stores increases the amount of revenue generated as the amount of sales increases.
- Customer increase: customers tend to flood in with the acceptance of EBT cards.
- Reputation: it serves as a way to increase reputation. With customers, the increase comes with the block reputation building.
Steps to participate
- The store should contact the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service and the agencies in the state.
- The stores should meet the federal standard and guidelines to be eligible.
- The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service will then monitor the stores.
- The stores should possess the equipment required for smooth running, including refrigerators and freezers, among other things. They determine whether purchased items will boost the store’s revenue or complicate checkout with fewer benefits to validate the users of EBT.
- The stores should be involved in the sale of mainly edible foods.
- The stores’ total sales should mainly be food products with a percentage of 50%.
Conclusion
Participating stores have a lot of benefits, especially with the increase in the use of food stamps. The perks of accepting EBT cards are vast in number and should be maximized to increase revenue for the store owners and the convenience of the EBT card user. Independent businesses should accept EBT cards if they do not already reap the benefits.