News & Events

Former Georgia Governor and state senator, Sonny Perdue, President Trump’s campaign agricultural adviser has been nominated to be the Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture.  A trained veterinarian and well known on Capitol Hill, he’s been endorsed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, the biggest U.S. farmer group.  A former Democrat he switched to the Republican party in 1998.  Currently an agribusiness trading company founder his confirmation is likely to swift.

The final rule was published guiding states that want to place a photo ID on EBT cards. The rule can be read in its entirety HERE, and becomes effective January 12, 2017. The following information was sent to MGFPA from NGA on the final rule:

The Food and Nutrition Act and SNAP regulations allow a state agency to require that an EBT card contain a photo of one or more members of a household if the state agency can also establish procedures to ensure that any other appropriate member of the household or any authorized representative (including individuals permitted by the household to purchase food or meals on its behalf) may utilize the card, regardless of whether or not they are pictured. No other forms of required identification, other than a photo on the EBT card, are authorized by the Act or regulations for redeeming SNAP benefits.

Specialty food sales hit $120.5 billion in the U.S. in 2015, according to this year’s State
of the Specialty Food Industry report, produced by the Specialty Food Association
and Mintel.