The USDA says it began investigating an alleged multimillion-dollar fraud scheme “as soon as” SNAP benefit redemptions spiked at a tiny Boston retail store, blasting the Healey administration for

Investigators say unusually high redemptions, undercover buys and surveillance exposed years of alleged SNAP trafficking.

"Shocking and glaring" is how Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Leah Foley described a massive SNAP benefit trafficking scheme that netted nearly $7 million for two Boston small retail store operators.

The men also allegedly sold donated food that was meant for the nonprofit organization Feed My Starving Children.

We’re allowing our kin, we’re allowing our friends, our neighbors to suffer the indignity … of not having enough food and to suffer the health consequences of not having enough money for food,” Chilton said.