Grand Rapids Reporter

On July 26, 2023, U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) and Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Enabling Farmers to Benefit from Processing Nutrition Programs Act, legislation that would remove administrative hurdles that cause small and independent farmers and ranchers to miss out on the benefits from processing nutrition programs.

“West Michigan is known for its incredible fresh produce, and today I introduced legislation to ensure even more of our neighbors have access to it at local farmers markets. The State of Michigan is leading the way in providing more access to farmers markets for SNAP users, and we want to make sure that expands across the country,” said Congresswoman Scholten. “Senator Smith and I are partnering to cut through bureaucratic red tape for the benefit of both farmers selling produce and families who benefit from federal food benefits. If passed, our bill would ensure even more Americans have healthy, fresh food in their homes and that more federal nutrition dollars are invested in our local economies. This is a win-win for our farmers and everyday families.”

“Small farmers and ranchers are the lifeblood of Minnesota’s ag economy. We should be doing everything we can to help them reach as many people as possible, particularly in their local area,” said Sen. Smith. “By cutting red tape and providing necessary technology and equipment, this bill will make it easier for them to accept nutrition program benefits, thereby tapping into that market, while simultaneously helping folks using federal nutrition programs access healthy, local food at farmer’s markets.”

“MIFMA is excited to endorse Representative Scholten’s bill “Enabling Farmers to Benefit from Processing Nutrition Programs Act of 2023”.  This bill will help farmers and community-driven marketplaces better fulfill their role of increasing food access in their local communities.  Farmers and markets experience many barriers in becoming authorized to accept the food assistance benefits utilized by millions across the country to feed their families.  Representative Scholten's bill takes steps to reduce those barriers and provide increased access to local foods that will benefit farmers, communities, and families across the country,” said Joe Lesausky, Food Access Director, MIFMA.

“The Enabling Farmers to Benefit from Processing Nutrition Programs Act takes overdue steps to streamline processes for farmers to participate in federal nutrition programs. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) applauds Congresswomen Smith and Scholten for championing reforms that reduce burdensome paperwork for farmers and provide adequate equipment for markets to easily accept federal nutrition benefits. These reforms will promote access to healthy foods while generating local economic impact,” said Hannah Quigley, Policy Specialist at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC).

"The Farmers Market Coalition is extremely pleased to see the introduction of the Act. Farmers markets and the farmers who sell at them face many barriers to accepting SNAP and other Federal Nutrition Benefits but this Act makes necessary improvements to remove red tape and streamline the process. These changes will increase income for American farmers and improve access to healthy food for low-income shoppers,” said Ben Feldman, Executive Director at the Farmers Market Coalition.

Currently, there is a lack of wireless/mobile technology for processing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) EBT cards at farmers markets, as well as separate applications and equipment required from direct marketing farmers and ranchers to be authorized vendors to process benefits.

The bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to:

1. Streamline the application process for farmers and ranchers to participate as authorized vendors under the various nutrition programs.
2. Streamline the equipment/technology systems needed by farmers to process the benefits under the various nutrition programs.
3. Provide free wireless or mobile processing equipment and systems for farmers markets.

Original source can be found here.