NGA Reacts to Farm Bill Proposals

National Grocers Association, which represents members of the independent supermarket industry, lauded congressional proposals for the farm bill, Thursday. The current farm bill expires on September 30.

House Republicans and Democrats have released separate visions for the farm bill.

“NGA is pleased to see movement on a Farm Bill from both sides of the Capitol,” said Stephanie Johnson, NGA’s vice president of industry relations, in a statement. “Independent grocers are a critical partner in the SNAP program, ensuring access to a variety of foods to meet families where they are. We are thankful the Senate proposal protects retailers from burdensome fees on EBT transactions and an increase in funding and flexibility in GusNIP. We look forward to seeing more details on the House proposal.”

GusNIP is the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, a produce prescription program that supports projects that demonstrate and evaluate the impact of fresh fruit and vegetable prescriptions to increase procurement and consumption of fruits and vegetables.