Everybody eats, and consumers, as they have with other purchases, are increasingly turning to the web to order groceries. Online grocery sales in the United States are expected to reach $42 billion this year, according to a recent Morgan Stanley AlphaWise report. However, consumers who receive federal assistance for groceries cannot redeem their food stamps online—yet.

A program more than two years in the making and with more years of testing ahead may give food retailers nationwide the ability to accept food-stamp payments online. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking retailer volunteers for a two-year…

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