Sponsors (2)
The bill expands access to fresh, local foods for WIC participants and boosts market opportunities for farmers by modernizing payment, vendor eligibility, and providing training and guidance, but it requires substantial implementation work and spending and poses operational, equity, and integrity risks—especially for small farmers and under-resourced agencies.
Low-income WIC participants (including children) will have greater access to fresh, local unprepared foods because cash-value benefits and coupons can be used at more vendors (farmers, roadside stands, covered agricultural entities, farmers’ markets) and for pre-order boxes.
Low-income participants and their families will find WIC benefits more convenient and less stigmatizing because cash-value benefits and coupons can be delivered and accepted via existing EBT systems and a single qualified payment device, plus streamlined enrollment options.
Farmers, market operators, and local food businesses will gain expanded market access and likely increased sales because they are more clearly eligible and authorized to accept WIC/FMNP/SFMNP benefits and are easier for participants to redeem at.
State governments, covered agricultural entities, and farmers will face costs to update EBT systems, acquire qualified payment devices, and implement new systems within the statutory timelines.
Small farmers, roadside stands, and markets—especially in rural areas—may be unable to adopt required payment devices or lack sufficient internet/technical capacity, limiting their ability to participate and benefit.
State and local agencies could see increased administrative burden and costs to onboard, monitor, and certify many more vendors, and tight implementation deadlines (90 days or 18 months) risk transitional confusion or service disruptions for participants.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Allows WIC cash-value benefits and coupons to buy fresh, local, unprepared foods from farmers/covered agricultural entities and requires EBT/payment-device integration and technical assistance.
Introduced December 17, 2025 by Lauren Underwood · Last progress December 17, 2025
Allows WIC cash-value benefits and WIC coupon funds to be spent on fresh, local, unprepared foods (including pre-order boxes) sold by farmers and other covered agricultural sellers, and requires states and USDA to make EBT/payment-device changes and offer technical assistance so those sellers can accept WIC benefits. Sets short deadlines (portal in 90 days; device and state system requirements within 18 months), creates a single producer application portal, and establishes a Technical Assistance Center to train and support farmers, farmers’ market operators, and state/local agencies. The law adds definitions, expands eligible redemption sites in the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to include covered agricultural entities, directs USDA to publish guidance and maintain a list of qualified payment devices, and requires reporting and data collection by the Technical Assistance Center to boost participation and assess outcomes.