Promoting Access to Local Agriculture

Summary#

This bill tells the Secretary of Agriculture to make it easier for direct marketing farmers and ranchers to become vendors in several federal nutrition programs. Those programs include SNAP, the senior farmers' market nutrition program, WIC (including its farmers' market program), and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program. The Secretary must create a single application or an information-sharing system so that approval under one program can act as a prequalification for the others. The bill also requires a report to two Congressional agriculture committees within one year on progress made. It directs the Secretary to standardize vendor technology so farmers can process benefits with one device or a mobile app. Finally, it amends the Food and Nutrition Act to require States and their partners to provide equipment appropriate for farmers markets, including wireless or mobile processing systems.

What it means for you#

• Farmers and ranchers who sell directly to consumers could use one application or have their vendor status shared across several nutrition programs, which could reduce paperwork.
• Markets and vendors may be able to accept benefits using one piece of equipment or a mobile app instead of multiple systems.
• Congress will receive a progress report within one year about how the Department of Agriculture is carrying out these changes.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill’s text aims to reduce duplicate applications and make it easier for direct-market farmers to participate in federal nutrition programs. It also seeks to simplify benefit processing by encouraging standardized, mobile-friendly equipment suitable for farmers markets.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.