Caleb Castillo

USDA SNAP Compliance Audits September 22, 2026 11 min read

Cleaning PIN Pads Safely Without Creating Tamper Concerns

A cashier grabs a disinfectant wipe, gives the payment terminal a quick scrub, and moves on. It seems harmless. Then the next customer inserts an EBT card, and the screen flashes a...

USDA SNAP Compliance Audits September 21, 2026 10 min read

Who Owns SNAP Compliance in a Franchised Food Store?

A business fronting a franchise offers a form of comfort. It provides the impression that the company manages the operations. It provides the assurance that there is a corporate department that manages...

USDA SNAP September 15, 2026 10 min read

Store Layouts That Make SNAP Shopping Easier in Small Footprints

Picture a shopper walking into a corner store on the first of the month. Their EBT card is loaded. Their grocery list is short but specific. And they have about ten minutes...

USDA SNAP September 15, 2026 10 min read

Using Aisle Cues to Make Staple Foods Easier to Find

Picture a shopper walking into your store with a short list. Milk. Bread. Eggs. A can of beans. They only have a few minutes. If they can’t spot those basics fast, they...

EBT September 13, 2026 10 min read

How to Write a Store SOP for Unusual SNAP Checkout Situations

It’s a busy Saturday morning. A customer’s cart holds milk, bread, a hot rotisserie chicken, and a case of soda. They reach for an EBT card. Your newest cashier freezes. What’s eligible?...

USDA SNAP Compliance Audits September 11, 2026 11 min read

Why Manager Override Logs Matter for SNAP-Heavy Stores

Picture a busy Friday afternoon. The line runs three deep. A cashier scans a case of soda on an EBT sale, and the register throws a block. Instead of stopping, someone taps...

Restaurant accepting EBT for hot meals through the Restaurant Meals Program

EBT September 10, 2026 30 min read

The Restaurant Meals Program: How Restaurants Get Approved to Accept EBT for Hot Food in RMP States

A restaurant cannot generally accept SNAP benefits for hot prepared meals simply because it has an EBT-capable terminal. Restaurant Meals Program EBT is a special SNAP pathway that allows approved restaurants in...

EBT September 10, 2026 35 min read

Double Up Food Bucks and SNAP Incentive Programs: How Retailers Join and Configure the POS for Produce Matching

Accepting SNAP EBT is only the starting point for a retailer that wants to participate in a produce incentive program. A Double Up Food Bucks retailer setup normally requires a second, separate...

EBT August 11, 2026 12 min read

EBT POS System: How to Choose the Right POS System for EBT Transactions

Electronic Benefit Transfer, commonly known as EBT, has become an essential payment method for millions of people who receive government assistance benefits. Grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers markets, pharmacies, and many other...

EBT August 5, 2026 23 min read

EBT Compliance Checklist: A Retailer’s Checklist for Staying Compliant With FNS Requirements Year-Round

Accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits can help a retailer serve more customers and improve access to food within the local community. It also brings ongoing responsibilities. Approval from the USDA Food...

Caleb Castillo

Recent posts by Caleb Castillo