Reps. Scholten, Valadao Introduce Bipartisan Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act

WASHINGTON, DC - This month, U.S. Representatives Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) and David Valadao (R-CA-22) introduced the bipartisan Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act. The legislation would remove administrative hurdles for small farmers and ranchers to participate in federal nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which would expand their economic opportunities and improve access to healthy, affordable food for families.

"Too often, local farmers and ranchers cannot access the federal programs designed to help feed our communities, not because of a lack of need or demand, but because the system is too complicated to navigate," said Congresswoman Scholten. "By cutting through unnecessary red tape for farmers to participate in these nutrition programs, we can enable more local producers to succeed while ensuring families have better access to fresh, affordable food. Our bipartisan, bicameral effort is about making government work the way it should - advancing practical solutions that are responsive to the people it serves.

"Central Valley producers grow the food that feeds our nation, but unfortunately, complicated administrative hurdles make it hard for them to provide food to families in our own communities," said Congressman Valadao. "This bipartisan bill reduces these barriers and equips small farmers and ranchers with the tools needed to accept benefits through programs like SNAP and WIC. By expanding access to fresh, locally-grown food for lower-income families and opening new markets for producers, we can both strengthen our agricultural economy and improve food access across the Valley."

"The Farmers Market Coalition is extremely pleased to see the introduction of this bill. Farmers markets and the farmers who sell at them face many barriers to accepting SNAP and other Federal Nutrition Benefits, and this bill would make 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 Jamie Hadji, Board President at the Farmers Market Coalition.

Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) is leading the Senate companion bill.

"Every family deserves nutritious, affordable food, and that food can be grown right here in Minnesota. Farmers and producers are the lifeblood of Minnesota's ag economy, and we should be doing everything we can to help farmers sell their products to families in their local community," 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, while simultaneously helping folks using federal nutrition programs get healthy, local food at farmers markets."

Specifically, the bill would require 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.

Rep. Scholten and Senator Smith previously introduced a version of this bill in the 118th Congress.

###