NGA was pleased to have the opportunity to provide comments and commitments for the White House Conference pillars. NGA supports efforts to end hunger and increase healthy eating by 2030 and independent retailers are critical partners in achieving those goals.
Independent retailers are a key partner on the path to ending hunger and supporting heathy diets. Retailers are community economic hubs, and they have the opportunity to become community health hubs moving forward. Our members care deeply about their communities and as such have worked hard to increase access to food and healthy food options for their customers. Below we will share five recommendations on three of the conference pillars and stories of innovation in the nutrition and hunger food retail.
- The USDA should devote funding to provide capital specifically for supporting experienced grocers looking to expand into low food access areas through programs like the healthy food financing initiative.
- The USDA should explore outcomes-based financial supports for grocers providing healthy foods to low access communities.
- NGA would welcome the opportunity to provide technical assistance for grocers looking to expand into low food access areas through the healthy food financing initiative.
- We urge the streamlining of the online snap purchasing so that independent grocers may continue to furnish essential goods to the members of our communities most in need.
- NGA urges congress to continue the prohibition on EBT processing fees included in sec. 4006 (d) of the 2018 farm bill and asks that it be made permanent.
- Congress should allow WIC vendors operating during severe supply shortages, disasters, or public health emergency areas be provided flexibility by permitting substitution for certain WIC-authorized items that are unavailable immediately.
- We urge the USDA to critically think about the supply of the foods they include in the package and acceptable substitutions during supply chain disruptions.
- NGA argues for strong and effective enforcement of us antitrust laws that are essential to preserving a vibrant marketplace and ensuring small and mid-size businesses are able to compete and flourish to the benefit of all Americans.
- We urge you to create a pilot program incentivizing nutrition education and nutrition therapy in the retail experience for snap recipients.
- We urge the USDA to find a solution allowing EBT cards to provide GusNIP benefits automatically to simplify administration.
- We also urge congress to increase funding for GusNIP and HFFI.