Industry Update: Increase in SNAP = Increase in Cold Case Opportunity

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently approved the largest benefit increase for SNAP ever. SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly (and sometimes still) known as food stamps. This change resulted from a review request that was part of the 2018 Farm Bill and also supported by an Executive Order from President Biden in January. One takeaway from the report was that the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan for a family of four was $835.57 based on June 2021 pricing, a 21% increase in cost compared to 2006, the last time the review was conducted. One contributing factor (no surprise) was rising food costs. 

The end result: everyone that qualifies for SNAP will receive more money to spend on qualifying food purchases. Starting in October 2021, SNAP benefits will increase by approximately 25% per person, close to an additional $36.24 per month! This program feeds approximately 1 in 8 people for a total of 42 million people per month. 42 million people x $36.24 a month = a lot of additional food dollars to capture.

How do you deliver on the food needs of those on SNAP?

Participants of SNAP are not eligible to purchase items out of your hot case, but those same items chilled and repurposed for a cold case are absolutely eligible! SNAP users can take those fully-cooked foods home and easily warm and serve them for delicious family meals. 

Here are a few tips for getting started adding and promoting cold case sales in your store:

• Place your self-serve, open-air cold cases where they won’t disrupt traffic flow. Avoid busy spots where customers wait in line.
• Provide mix & match options with both proteins and side items.
• Keep your grab-n-go displays clean, organized and clutter free.
• Utilize our ingredient labels and packaging to deliver a first class presentation while providing the ingredients and nutritional information that customers need.
• Use in store signage to tell customers that you accept SNAP.
• When the deli is closing, always place special signage that points your customers to their cold case options.

Ideal items to repurpose from your hot case to your cold case:

COLD PROTEINS:

• Chicken Dippers
• Chicken Tenders
• Chicken Wings
• Chicken Breast Fillets
• Bone-in Chicken
• White Fish 
• Pork Loin
• Breaded Shrimp

OTHER ITEMS:

• Gravies: Chicken, White Pepper, & Sausage
• Cinnamon Apples
• Sweet Corn
• Green Beans
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Mashed Potatoes
• Potato Wedges
• Collard Greens

TIP: Package up a Dipper Bowl, loaded wedges, or a meal for increased consumer appeal and convenience!

PIZZA

• Take and Bake Pizza: Cheese, Pepperoni, Sausage, 3-meat

Ready to get started? Here are some resources:

The Official USDA Press Release

State Specific Benefit Information

USDA’s Retailer Training Guides and Videos

Sign up to be a SNAP Retailer  

As always, your Business Advisor and our Customer Success team is here to help. Please reach out if you need assistance adding a cold case program to your location. 

Customer.Success@PFSbrands.com | (855) 632-3373