NGA advocates for SNAP, other programs in 2023 farm bill
Maintaining the dignity of lower-income shoppers and increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables for all are key goals that the National Grocers Association is pushing for in the 2023 farm bill.
Based in Washington D.C., the trade association represents the independent sector of the food retail and distribution industry. On Feb. 2, the NGA sent a letter outlining its 2023 farm bill priorities to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and U.S. House Committee on Agriculture.
Independent community grocers account for 33% of all grocery sales, exceeding $250 billion, and more than 1.1 million American jobs, the letter said.
“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,” NGA Vice President of Government Relations Stephanie Johnson said in a news release. “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.”
Some of the recommendations NGA outlined in its letter include:
Maintain SNAP choice
The USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is successful because of the flexibility it provides both retailers and SNAP participants, the letter said. SNAP choice ensures families can shop with the same dignity as any other customer by choosing the foods that are right for their situation. Allowing choice also respects the foods of various cultures.
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 the USDA with the resources to properly implement SNAP online and onboard additional stores, the letter said.
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 viability of grocery stores in the communities that need them most.
Expand and streamline GusNIP
Expanding access to Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) will help families make healthier choices and support their local economies. Data from the first years of the program shows that the program is working and consumers participating in this program have increased purchases of fruits and vegetables. Congress should build upon the success of this pilot and target resources to communities in need, the letter said. GusNIP provides incentives for shoppers buying fruits and vegetables at the point of purchase. It also includes a produce prescription program and provides training and technical support for these initiatives.
Protect retailers from an EBT tax
Grocers are constantly being confronted by fee increases in the acceptance of card payments. These fees are quickly becoming one of the biggest operational costs for retailers, often cited as the second-highest operating cost behind labor, the letter said. NGA is strongly urging Congress to permanently 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 United States 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.
