The SNAP Online News That Few of Us Saw

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

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OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

A great deal of time and energy went into authorizing additional retailers to accept SNAP online, and while this work wasn’t front page news, it has been steadily progressing. In addition to announcing the independent retailer in North Carolina going live, FNS also announced that another eighteen SNAP retailers were in the final phase of testing and should be going live in the coming months.

<div> <p paraid="11774379" paraeid="{6f99e95f-902c-411f-b26d-c3388cf9dd0a}{171}">By: Hannah Walker, Vice President, Political Affairs, FMI  </p> </div> <div> <div class="mg-image--circular" style="float: right; margin: 10px;"><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/20171129-fmi-home-shoot-0907_ed.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=a610db95_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="SNAP online" title="SNAP online" /></div> During a typical week, news announcing the expansion of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) online Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) pilot would garner a fair amount of attention, but coming out the night before a national election, it fell a bit under the radar. This is completely understandable and to be expected that the election would take precedence over a retailer being approved to offer online SNAP sales, but this news does deserve a closer look. While it took almost five years to launch the pilot and authorize the initial four retailers, we are now looking at a process that is becoming clearer, standardized, and completed in a matter of months, not years. <br /> <p> </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="182315976" paraeid="{6f99e95f-902c-411f-b26d-c3388cf9dd0a}{215}"> It’s important to recognize that the online SNAP pilot has gone from fewer than five participating states to 46 (and the District of Columbia) ready to enable SNAP online purchasing for beneficiaries. A great deal of time and energy went into authorizing additional retailers to accept SNAP online, and while this work wasn’t front page news, it has been steadily progressing. </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1578605568" paraeid="{6f99e95f-902c-411f-b26d-c3388cf9dd0a}{221}">In addition to announcing the independent retailer in North Carolina going live, FNS also <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/fns-001820">announced that another eighteen SNAP retailers</a> were in the final phase of testing and should be going live in the coming months. The list includes a diverse group of small and large retailers who will bring unique solutions to the market.  This is great progress, and the industry has proven, once again, to be nimble by pushing forward with SNAP online during a pandemic and increased pressures throughout their operations.   </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1734871026" paraeid="{6f99e95f-902c-411f-b26d-c3388cf9dd0a}{225}">Our work is far from done, but this is a step in the right direction to ensure that SNAP retailers can offer the same services to all their customers, while ensuring redemption options for SNAP benefits, whether in store or online.   </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1399874234" paraeid="{8f2ce394-88c6-4cc0-9ba5-9fe3eddf6f85}{8}">FMI will continue to work with our members and FNS to find ways to improve the SNAP online authorization process and learn from the experiences of those who have gone through the process.  </p> </div> <a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/food-assistance-programs" class="button">More on Feeding Assistance</a>

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.