# FNS SNAP Retailer Locator MCP > FNS SNAP Retailer Locator provides access to USDA public data for finding authorized retailers across the United States. You can filter results using specific attributes like state or zip code, or you can search a defined radius around any GPS coordinates. This MCP lets your AI client pinpoint food resources for social services and researchers. ## Overview - **Category:** data-analytics - **Price:** Free - **Tags:** public-records, spatial-data, retail-location, geospatial, data-query, social-services ## Description This connector taps into the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) database. It allows your agent to locate retailers authorized to accept SNAP benefits across America through simple conversation. You don't need an API key because it accesses public government data. If you just know a general area, you can filter results by state, zip code, or store name using precise attributes. Need to find resources around a client's exact location? Just provide coordinates, and the system finds every authorized store within your specified radius. The result always includes essential details like names and addresses. Because Vinkius manages this MCP in the central catalog, you connect once from any compatible agent and gain access to both types of searches immediately. ## Tools ### search_retailers_by_location Locates authorized stores within a specified radius of given GPS coordinates. ### search_retailers Finds SNAP-authorized stores by filtering specific details, such as a state code or zip code. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Find all SNAP-authorized retailers in zip code 30303. ``` **Response:** ``` I found several SNAP-authorized retailers in Atlanta (30303), including 'CVS Pharmacy' on Peachtree St and 'Walgreens' on Marietta St. Would you like the full list of addresses? ``` **Prompt:** ``` Search for SNAP stores within 10 miles of latitude 34.05, longitude -118.24. ``` **Response:** ``` Searching near Los Angeles... I've located 45 authorized retailers within 10 miles of those coordinates. Notable locations include 'Target' on W 7th St and 'Whole Foods Market' on Grand Ave. ``` **Prompt:** ``` List SNAP retailers in Virginia that have 'Market' in their name. ``` **Response:** ``` Querying retailers in VA with 'Market' in the name... I found entries like 'Union Market' in Richmond and 'Farmers Market' in Alexandria. Do you want to see more results or filter by city? ``` ## Capabilities ### Search stores by coordinates Find all authorized retailers within a specific distance (miles or kilometers) of provided GPS points. ### Filter results by attributes Restrict the search to only those locations matching specified criteria, like a state code or zip code. ### Extract detailed store data Retrieve names, full addresses, and geographic coordinates for multiple retailers efficiently. ### Manage large datasets Browse extensive result sets using record offsets and limits to prevent timeouts. ## Use Cases ### A family needs immediate food access in a new neighborhood. The coordinator asks the agent to find all SNAP stores within 5 miles of coordinates X. The MCP uses `search_retailers_by_location` and returns multiple options, including their addresses, so the family can get help immediately. ### A researcher needs to map food deserts across a whole state. The analyst queries all zip codes in Texas using `search_retailers`. The MCP filters and returns a comprehensive list of retailer distribution, allowing the study of coverage gaps that manual checks would miss. ### A public health official is planning outreach for a specific city. The official runs multiple queries using `search_retailers` against different zip codes in Baltimore. The MCP aggregates all data, confirming the density and type of available resources before deploying community workers. ### A social worker needs to verify a resource for a specific client's current location. The agent takes the client's coordinates and runs `search_retailers_by_location` with a small radius. It provides confirmation of nearby options, letting the worker guide the client accurately. ## Benefits - Eliminate guesswork. Instead of calling multiple databases, use `search_retailers_by_location` to find every authorized store within a precise radius of any GPS point. - Run large-scale reports. Use `search_retailers` to filter thousands of records by specific criteria like state or zip code for research purposes. - Get actionable data instantly. You retrieve the full name, address, and coordinates in one step, ready for your report or client file. - Handle massive datasets efficiently. The pagination control ensures you can query large areas without hitting system limits. - Focus on the need, not the tech. Your agent handles the complex SQL-like logic of searching by attributes, so you just ask a plain question. ## How It Works The bottom line is that you get accurate location data for SNAP-authorized retailers without writing any code or managing credentials. 1. Connect your AI client to this MCP on Vinkius. No API key is required because the data source is public. 2. Ask your agent for a specific search, giving it either an attribute (like 'VA' or '30303') or coordinates (like 34.05, -118.24). 3. Your agent runs the query against the USDA data and returns a list of authorized retailers with full metadata. ## Frequently Asked Questions **How do I search for SNAP retailers in a specific zip code?** You can use the `search_retailers` tool and provide a filter like `Zip5 = '20001'` in the `where` parameter. This will return all authorized retailers within that specific postal area. **Can I find retailers near my current GPS coordinates?** Yes! Use the `search_retailers_by_location` tool by providing your `longitude` and `latitude`. You can also specify a `distance` (default is 5 miles) to define the search radius. **Is there a limit to how many retailers I can retrieve at once?** By default, the tools return up to 100 records. You can adjust this using the `resultRecordCount` parameter, and use `resultOffset` to paginate through larger lists of retailers. **How do I connect to the USDA FNS database using the `search_retailers` tool?** You don't need an API key or credentials. Since this MCP accesses public government data, connecting your AI client is straightforward directly on Vinkius. We handle all the authentication behind the scenes for you. **What kind of filters can I apply when using the `search_retailers` tool?** You use flexible, SQL-like syntax to filter by various attributes. This includes specific State codes, Zip Codes, or even searching for retailers that contain a certain phrase in their name. **Is the retailer data provided by `search_retailers` guaranteed to be real-time?** The MCP accesses the official USDA public database. While the information is highly reliable, it reflects publicly available records and isn't updated in milliseconds. We recommend checking critical locations for absolute accuracy. **If my query using `search_retailers_by_location` fails, what should I check first?** Double-check your input coordinates (latitude and longitude) and the radius parameter. Make sure all values are provided as numeric formats to prevent calculation or data type errors. **What specific metadata does this MCP retrieve for every retailer found?** For each result, you get comprehensive details including the full store name, street address, city, state, and precise geographic coordinates. This gives a complete picture of the location.