HR 8424
Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026
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Bill overview
This bill aims to make it easier for local farmers and ranchers to participate in federal nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC. It directs the USDA to create a simplified application process, potentially using a single application or an information-sharing system, and to streamline the way farmers process benefits using technology. The bill also includes provisions to ensure that technology used at farmers markets and direct-to-consumer markets is appropriate for the vendors involved.
Key provisions
- Establishes a streamlined application process for farmers to become vendors in covered nutrition programs.
- Allows for a single application or an information-sharing system to be used across multiple nutrition programs.
- Requires the USDA to develop a streamlined process for processing program benefits using standardized technology.
- Mandates the USDA to ensure that technology used by vendors is appropriate for direct-to-consumer markets.
- Includes a report requirement from the USDA to Congress on progress made in implementing the streamlined process.
- Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require appropriate technology for entities using farmers markets and direct-to-consumer markets.
Who is affected
- Farmers
- Ranchers
- SNAP recipients
- Senior citizens
- Women, Infants, and Children
Notable changes
- Simplifies the application process for farmers to participate in nutrition programs.
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Primary sponsor
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 8424
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to streamline applications from farmers to be vendors under certain nutrition programs, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026
.
In this section:
The term covered nutrition program
means—
the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
the senior farmers’ market nutrition program established under section 4402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007);
the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children established by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), including the farmers’ market nutrition program under that program; and
the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program established under section 4405 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7517), as practicable with respect to the activities carried out by the Secretary under subsections (b) and (c).
The term Secretary
means the Secretary of Agriculture.
The Secretary shall establish a streamlined application process—
for direct marketing farmers and ranchers to apply to be vendors under each of the covered nutrition programs; and
by—
developing a single application that a direct marketing farmer or rancher may use to apply to each of the covered nutrition programs; or
developing an information sharing system that—
shares the information of a direct marketing farmer or rancher who is approved as an authorized vendor under a covered nutrition program with each of the other covered nutrition programs; and
deems that direct marketing farmer or rancher as a prequalified eligible vendor for those other covered nutrition programs.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a report describing progress made in carrying out paragraph (1).
The Secretary shall establish a streamlined process for direct marketing farmers and ranchers that are vendors under any of the covered nutrition programs to process benefits under those programs through the use of standardized technology, such as a single piece of equipment or a mobile application.
Section 7(f)(2) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(f)(2)) is amended—
by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and
by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
The Secretary shall ensure that equipment or systems made available to entities described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) by a State agency or an implementing partner of a State agency is appropriate for the entity, including, with respect to farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer markets, wireless or mobile processing equipment and technology systems.