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Maine hearing tests bill to require part of SNAP spending locally; state advocates say federal rules block it
Summary
A bill that would direct a portion of SNAP benefit spending toward local grocery stores and require retailers to stock a minimum share of locally sourced perishables drew sharp opposition from legal advocates, who said federal rules bar such restrictions and warned the measure could harm access in rural areas.
Representative Paul Flynn (District 63) introduced LD 938, a proposal to require Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to spend a defined portion of their monthly benefits within a local geographic domain and to have participating retailers maintain a minimum locally sourced share of perishable inventory.
Proponent argument Flynn said the idea originated from his experience as a rural store owner and that directing at least part of federal benefit dollars to local groceries and producers could strengthen rural economies and support local farmers without changing eligible purchase lists for beneficiaries.
Opposition and legal constraints Alex Carter, policy advocate at Maine Equal Justice, testified in opposition. Carter said states lack authority to restrict where SNAP benefits are redeemed because SNAP is federally funded and federal law allows participants to spend benefits wherever authorized retailers accept them. Carter also raised administrative and equity concerns: tracking purchases by ZIP code would be costly and unreliable, could penalize rural residents who must travel to larger towns to shop, and a local‑sourcing inventory mandate could be infeasible for many small stores and potentially reduce the number of retailers that accept SNAP.
Why it matters: The bill pits local economic development goals against federal program rules and participant choice. Advocates proposed alternative, incentive‑based approaches—such as nutrition incentive programs that double SNAP dollars for Maine‑grown fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets—that do not restrict where beneficiaries may shop.
Committee questions: Members asked Maine Equal Justice for examples of incentive programs. Carter referenced Maine Harvest Bucks (a program that doubles SNAP at some farmers markets and CSAs) as a potential alternative that supports local producers without contravening federal rules.
