Farmers and ranchers who sell directly to consumers would gain a simpler path to accept SNAP, WIC, and senior farmers' market benefits under this bill. The Secretary of Agriculture would be required to create either a single shared application or an automatic pre-qualification system so that vendors approved in one nutrition program are recognized across the others. The bill also mandates that wireless and mobile payment equipment — not just fixed terminals — be made available to farmers markets and direct-to-consumer vendors. A report to Congress on implementation progress would be due within one year of enactment.
Transparency & Accountability
- Reporting requirement added — USDA must submit implementation progress report to Congress within 1 year
Congressional Summary
Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a streamlined process for farmers and ranchers to provide benefits under certain federal nutrition programs. These programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP); the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP).Specifically, USDA must establish a streamlined application process for farmers and ranchers to apply to be vendors under the nutrition programs, including by developing a single application for the programs or an information sharing system. USDA must also develop a streamlined process for these vendors to use standardized technology to process program benefits (such as a single piece of equipment or a mobile application).Further, USDA must ensure that the program benefit processing equipment and systems made available by a state agency are appropriate for the entity. For example, this includes ensuring wireless or mobile processing equipment and technology systems are appropriate for farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer markets.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-05-11
- Date Added
- 2026-05-30
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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