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119-hr-8424119th CongressWALLET

Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

Introduced

Summary

Streamlining vendor access to multiple federal nutrition programs. This bill would let direct-marketing farmers and ranchers use one application or shared approvals to become vendors for SNAP, the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, WIC (including its farmers’ market component), and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, and it would push for standardized mobile or wireless processing at markets and other direct-to-consumer sites.

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  • Direct-marketing farmers and ranchers would be able to apply once or have approval shared across four nutrition programs, cutting duplicate enrollment and paperwork.
  • Vendors could process benefits through standardized technology, such as a single device or mobile app, to accept payments across those programs.
  • State agencies and their implementing partners would be required to provide wireless or mobile equipment that is appropriate for farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer venues, and the Agriculture Secretary must report progress to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees within one year.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Modern payment tools for market vendors

If enacted, the Secretary would set a standard way for market vendors to process benefit payments. Vendors could use one device or one mobile app to accept benefits under covered programs. The bill would also require the Secretary to ensure equipment given by a State or its partner fits the vendor. For farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer markets, that includes wireless or mobile processing equipment and technology systems. The bill does not specify device purchases or funding.

Simpler vendor sign-up across programs

If enacted, this bill would define which nutrition programs are covered. It would list SNAP, WIC (including WIC farmers market nutrition), the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program. The Secretary would have to set up a simpler vendor application so direct-marketing farmers and ranchers can apply to those programs. The Secretary would either create one joint application or share approved vendor information across programs and treat vendors as prequalified. The Secretary would report progress to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees not later than one year after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

MI • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 4/28/2026

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 8/31/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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