National Grocers Association Supports House Passage of Farm Bill

Washington, D.C. –  The National Grocers Association (NGA) welcomes the passage of the Farm Bill in the House of Representatives, which includes provisions to protect independent grocers from burdensome fees, while expanding options for purchasing a variety of healthy foods nationwide.

NGA appreciates efforts made by congressional leaders to reject proposals that would have imposed new restrictions on certain foods in SNAP before the current state-led waiver pilot programs could be implemented. While NGA shares the goal of improving nutrition outcomes, several states are actively testing restriction policies under USDA-approved waivers, and evaluating those pilots is essential to crafting future nutrition policies that are workable for retailers and grounded in evidence.

“Independent grocers operate on razor-thin margins, and transaction fees on SNAP purchases have threatened to impose detrimental costs on the very stores that serve as the backbone of food access in rural and low-income communities,” said Stephanie Johnson, NGA’s group vice president of government relations. “We are grateful for the inclusion of the permanent ban on EBT fees and remain committed to working with the Senate to ensure this provision is included in the final bill.”

The final bill also strengthens the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program by allowing incentives on frozen fruits and vegetables and reducing the required match in high-poverty areas, a far more constructive path to better nutrition outcomes than untested federal restrictions. It makes SNAP online purchasing permanent nationwide, giving retailers the certainty to invest in technology that serves American families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

As the Farm Bill advances to the Senate, NGA is optimistic the final legislation will include long-overdue EBT modernization, including chip-enabled cards and stronger tools to fight EBT skimming fraud. These provisions will only strengthen the program by enhancing accountability and supporting the critical work local grocers do to keep communities fed. NGA looks forward to continuing to work with Congress to include these key reforms that build a more secure, modern, and accessible nutrition system.

“Independent grocers are proud to serve as trusted SNAP partners on Main Street, often as the only full-service food store in their communities,” Johnson added. “By advancing this Farm Bill, Congress has chosen a path that strengthens the program, expands access to nutritious options, and respects the pilots still being conducted in the states.”

About the National Grocers Association

NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale community grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for about 1.2 percent of the nation’s overall economy and is responsible for generating more than $250 billion in sales, 1.1 million jobs, $39 billion in wages and $36 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers located in every congressional district across the country, as well as state grocers’ associations, manufacturers and service suppliers.