Washington, D.C. – The National Grocers Association (NGA), the trade association representing the independent sector of the food retail and distribution industry, 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.
“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, NGA 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 is successful because of the flexibility it provides both retailers and SNAP participants. 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 viability of grocery stores in the communities that need them most.
Expand and Streamline the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP)
Expanding access to GusNIP will help families make healthier choices and support their local economies. The data from the first years of the program show 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. .
Protect Retailers from an EBT Tax
Grocers are constantly being confronted by 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. 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,” said Johnson. “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.
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About NGA
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. For more information about NGA, visit www.nationalgrocers.org.
