Sponsors (2)
The bill meaningfully expands where and how federal nutrition benefits can be spent—boosting access to fresh local food and making it easier for small producers to participate—but requires upfront federal/state/vendor investment, creates implementation and oversight challenges, and could disadvantage the smallest or informal sellers if not carefully managed.
Low-income WIC, FMNP, SNAP participants (including pregnant/postpartum women, infants, children, and seniors) gain substantially greater access to fresh, local unprepared foods because benefits can be used at more covered agricultural entities (farmers’ markets, roadside stands, pre-order boxes) and cash‑value benefits/coupons are easier to redeem—likely improving nutrition.
Small and mid-sized farmers, farmers’ markets, and local food hubs get expanded customers and simpler participation through automatic designation as covered agricultural entities, a single online enrollment portal, consistent program definitions, and training/technical assistance—potentially increasing farm sales and local economic resilience.
WIC participants experience simpler, faster, and less stigmatizing checkout because cash-value benefits and coupons are integrated onto a single EBT access device and vendors receive EBT equipment guidance, reducing transaction friction and errors.
State agencies, USDA, and small covered entities will face upfront and ongoing costs to upgrade or obtain qualified payment devices, build IT (portal/Center), and operate the expanded programs—potentially diverting funds from other services or requiring new appropriations.
Broader redemption options and automatic vendor designations increase the risk of ineligible redemptions, fraud, or inconsistent product quality, creating added oversight needs and potential taxpayer loss.
Tight deadlines (e.g., 18 months/90 days) and possible regulatory or technical delays could produce incomplete or confusing guidance or temporarily limit benefit access if states or vendors cannot meet implementation requirements.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Allows WIC cash-value benefits and coupons to buy fresh, local unprepared foods from farmers and covered agricultural entities and requires EBT integration, an application portal, and a technical assistance center.
Introduced December 17, 2025 by Lauren Underwood · Last progress December 17, 2025
Creates new rules to let WIC participants use cash-value benefits and WIC coupons to buy fresh, local, unprepared foods (including pre-order/CSA-style boxes) directly from farmers and other covered agricultural sellers, and requires those benefits to be accessible through a single EBT access device. The bill also directs USDA to publish a single online application portal and guidance, set deadlines for regulations and EBT integration, and fund a Technical Assistance Center to help farmers, markets, and state WIC offices accept federal nutrition benefits and implement the changes.