By Kenric Ward | Watchdog.org Virginia Bureau
Fifteen Virginia retailers have been removed from the food-stamp program for illicitly trafficking in EBT cards, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week.
Federal authorities barred 15 Virginia retailers from accepting food stamps.
The stores are: 6th Street Mini Mart, Charlottesville; Alvaro Market, Vinton; Cigs and Soda, Portsmouth; Crystal Hill Mini Mart, Crystal Hill; Fairfield Mini Mart, Richmond; George’s Market, Portsmouth; Green City Supermarket, Newport News; Mike’s Quick Mart, Manassas; Old Town Grocery & Carryout, Alexandria; Peoples Food Market, Petersburg; Quick Mart #1, Richmond; Ramans, Cumberland; Sali Food Stores, Richmond; and Something New, Newport News.
Regan Hopper, spokeswoman for the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, said retailers that traffick in EBT cards lose their status in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps).
But, she added, a “legitimate sale” of a store could restore the privilege if the new owner is approved by USDA.
“Store owners are the ones disqualified, not the stores,” Hopper said. She declined to identify the store owners.
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