Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]
Introduced
Summary
Streamlining market access for direct-marketing farmers. This bill would create a cross-program initiative to make it easier for farmers and ranchers to become vendors in four USDA nutrition programs and to standardize benefit-processing technology.
Show full summary
- Farmers and ranchers would get a streamlined vendor route. They could use a single unified application or an information-sharing system that prequalifies them across the four covered programs.
- Customers who use nutrition benefits would see faster, more consistent checkout at farmers markets and direct-to-consumer sites. The bill pushes for a single piece of equipment or a mobile app to process benefits.
- State agencies and market partners would have to provide appropriate equipment and systems for markets, including wireless or mobile processing. 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
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Easier vendor sign-up for farmers
If enacted, the bill would make it easier for direct-marketing farmers and ranchers to become vendors for four USDA nutrition programs: SNAP, WIC (including WIC farmers market), the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program. The Agriculture Department would have to create either one unified application or an information-sharing system that prequalifies vendors across those programs. The Department would also have to set up standard payment processing technology, such as one piece of equipment or a mobile app, so vendors can accept benefits. The Secretary must report progress to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees within one year after enactment, and state-provided equipment must be appropriate, including wireless or mobile systems for farmers markets. These requirements would take effect upon 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
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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