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Permits WIC cash-value benefits and WIC coupons to be used to buy fresh, local, unprepared foods (including pre-order boxes) directly from farmers, CSAs, food hubs, and farmers’ markets by requiring USDA rulemaking, defining eligible covered agricultural entities, and setting standards for electronic payment devices. The bill also creates a single online producer application portal, requires USDA guidance and best practices for state and local WIC offices, and establishes a Technical Assistance Center to help farmers and market operators enroll, accept EBT, and track program outcomes.
The bill substantially expands where and how WIC and related nutrition benefits can be used—boosting access to fresh local foods and customers for farmers—while imposing upfront costs, administrative burdens, and implementation risks that could delay or unevenly distribute those benefits.
Low-income WIC participants (including children and pregnant women) will have substantially greater access to fresh, local fruits and vegetables because more farmers, farmers’ markets, roadside stands, CSAs, and covered agricultural entities can accept WIC cash-value benefits and coupons.
Small and mid-sized farmers, farmers' markets, and food hubs will gain new customers and revenue as the bill makes it easier for them to be authorized and to accept WIC, SNAP, and related cash-value benefits.
WIC participants and vendors will face simpler, faster transactions because the bill modernizes EBT/payment processing (allowing single devices to handle both cash-value and coupon funds) and requires nationwide payment standards and device certification timelines.
Small farmers, market operators, and some vendors will face upfront costs to buy or upgrade certified payment devices and integrate systems, which may be unaffordable for the smallest operations and could deter participation.
State WIC agencies will incur increased administrative burden and costs to modify EBT systems, onboard and monitor many more vendor types, provide outreach/training, and oversee compliance.
If payment device standards or certification are narrow or devices remain costly, some local vendors will be effectively excluded from accepting benefits until affordable, approved options are available, delaying access for participants.
Introduced December 17, 2025 by Lauren Underwood · Last progress December 17, 2025