The National Grocers Association sent a letter Feb. 2 outlining its 2023 Farm Bill priorities to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and U.S. House Committee on Agriculture.
“As deliberations begin on Capitol Hill on the 2023 Farm Bill, NGA is ready to work with lawmakers to ensure the needs of the independent grocery industry are addressed,” said Stephanie Johnson, VP of government relations.
“Independent community grocers are a linchpin for communities across the country by providing nourishing food to millions of Americans at an affordable price. Legislation must consider the critical role independent grocers play across America so they can continue expanding food access and supporting local economies.”
Below are some of the recommendations NGA outlined in its letter:
Maintain SNAP choice
SNAP Choice ensures families can shop with the same dignity as any other customer by choosing the foods that are right for their situation.
Make SNAP online permanent and provide technical support for retailers
SNAP online helps the program keep pace with private partners. Almost every state has launched SNAP online purchasing. Congress should make the SNAP online program a permanent feature of SNAP and provide USDA with the resources to properly implement SNAP online and onboard additional stores.
Maintain current program structure and expand access
NGA opposes large programmatic changes to SNAP like block granting or migrating to bulk food distribution boxes – ideas that threaten the communities that need them most.
Expand and streamline the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program
The data from its first years shows that the program is working and participants have increased purchases of fruits and vegetables. Congress should build upon the success of this pilot and target resources to communities in need.
Protect retailers from an EBT tax
Grocers are being confronted by increases in the acceptance of card payments. These fees are becoming one of the biggest operational costs for retailers, often cited as the second highest operating cost behind labor. NGA is urging Congress to prohibit processing fees on EBT transactions and protect retailers from an EBT tax.
“Independent grocers are committed to expanding access to healthy foods across the U.S. through these strong public-private partnerships,” Johnson said. “SNAP is necessary for feeding families, raising healthy children and supporting local communities, and we look forward to working with Congress to ensure the program is strengthened.”
To read the full letter, click here.
