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Panel hears bill to use AI-driven coupons to stretch SNAP benefits, reduce food waste
Summary
Lawmakers and presenters described AB 474, which would create a surplus food assistance account and authorize a DWSS program that uses AI and couponing to help SNAP recipients purchase discounted perishable food; the committee took testimony but did not vote.
Assemblymember Danielle Monroe Moreno (Assembly District 1) introduced Assembly Bill 474 on behalf of sponsors, telling the Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services that the measure “creates a program to supplement the food supply for people receiving supplemental nutrition assistance program.” The bill would require the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) to establish a program to identify surplus food and distribute discounts to SNAP recipients and would create a Surplus Food Assistance Account with a $5,000,000 appropriation to fund the account, the bill text says. The account’s remaining balance would carry forward each fiscal year rather than revert to the general fund.
Supporters told the committee the program pairs an AI-driven retail app with existing retailer coupon systems to match excess perishable inventory to local demand, reducing waste and stretching SNAP dollars. Jason Frierson of Cornerstone Government Affairs, presenting for R4 Technologies, said the legislation aims to “decreasing perishable food waste” while increasing SNAP purchasing power. Paul Breitenbach, founder and CEO of R4 Technologies, said the technology uses algorithms to find excess capacity and match it to demand and that “for about $5 a year a year for an entire SNAP family, we have the chance of being able to double and potentially even triple the the amount of food that a Snap user can take home for the exact same dollars.” Former Delaware governor and nurse Bethany Hall-Long described the measure as a three‑way win that can lower waste, improve food security and reduce landfill burden, and she told the committee Delaware secured a USDA waiver during its rollout.
Committee members asked implementation questions. Vice Chair Wynne asked whether the app would support multiple languages and culturally appropriate food; Breitenbach said the platform can be configured for multiple languages and that retailers can generate geographically and culturally appropriate coupons. Members also asked about participation by small or remote grocers; Breitenbach said the goal is to enroll every SNAP-authorized retailer, including local stores in rural communities.
Presenters acknowledged concerns from food banks and hunger-relief organizations and said the program is designed to avoid competing with traditional food rescue—R4 representatives emphasized the app targets inventory earlier in the supply chain, not “day‑old” donations. Frierson and Breitenbach also cited high food-waste statistics they attributed to Nevada and the U.S. presenters’ testing data: Breitenbach said an initial pilot showed roughly a 30–33% effective stretch in purchasing power from couponing, while noting Delaware and Hawaii were in active or planned rollouts and other states were adding the program to budgets.
Testimony in support included a University of Nevada, Reno student who cited campus food insecurity and the Retail Association of Nevada, which said AB 474 could strengthen retailer engagement and reduce disposal costs. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension staff said the extension is the SNAP‑Ed implementing agency in the state and expressed willingness to work with sponsors. There was no testimony in opposition and no final committee vote recorded during the hearing.
The bill hearing closed after sponsors responded to questions and invited stakeholder engagement; sponsors said DWSS would administer the program and that the appropriation and fiscal detail would next be considered by the Ways and Means Committee.
