USDA is asking the public whether it should make public the amount of taxpayer dollars that businesses get by participating in SNAP. In a notice published this week, the department asks for comment about whether the yearly or monthly amounts businesses receive from SNAP should become public information to encourage greater transparency, or whether it should be protected as proprietary financial information. The notice applies only to retailers who voluntarily participate in the program and does not apply to individuals who use the program. The public has until Sept. 8 to submit comments. Advocates for releasing the amount of taxpayer money that flows to stores, big box retailers, gas stations and other SNAP vendors argue the information could help policy makers improve the $80 billion program.
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