Congressional Dems seek to add food stamps to farmers' markets

Reps. Kelly, Garcia, Rush back Sens. Duckworth, Durbin

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly is a lead sponsor of a bill that would ease the use of food stamps at small grocers and farmers’ markets. (One Illinois/Ted Cox)

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly is a lead sponsor of a bill that would ease the use of food stamps at small grocers and farmers’ markets. (One Illinois/Ted Cox)

By Ted Cox

Illinois congressional Democrats are leading the way in trying to ease the use of food stamps at farmers’ markets and small businesses like corner grocers.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson joined House colleagues Bobby Rush and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia of Chicago in introducing a bill called the Expanding SNAP Options Act. It seeks to establish a digital portal to ease the use of food stamps — also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — for “smaller retailers, direct-to-consumer farmers, and farmers’ markets,” according to a news release put out by Kelly’s office.

It’s companion legislation to a bill introduced in the Senate earlier this month by Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin.

“Growing up, my family owned a grocery store,” Kelly said in a statement. “I know how these places — where we buy the food to feed our family — are a central pillar in our communities. Unfortunately, current rules prevent most grocers and farmers from accepting SNAP benefits from customers for the healthy fresh fruits and vegetables that families need.”

“As someone whose family depended on food stamps and reduced-price meals after my father lost his job when I was in high school, I know firsthand just how important access to affordable food can be,” Duckworth said in a statement accompanying an earlier release from her office. “Unfortunately — and in the middle of a public health crisis — many Illinois SNAP recipients are shut out of being able to access online shopping options at many supermarkets and grocery stores. I’m proud to introduce legislation with Sen. Durbin that will provide grocers of all sizes with the technical assistance needed to ensure all families have the same opportunity to safely purchase groceries online.”

The bills would call on the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the food-stamp program, to implement online purchasing with food stamps or their more modern SNAP cards in all 50 states. They would also allot a combined $100 million to develop an online, app-based portal “to support smaller retailers in offering products for online SNAP purchasing,” as well as an online assistance center to “facilitate online purchasing and use of the portal for smaller retailers, direct-to-consumer farmers, and farmers’ markets, and provide public information about which local vendors participate in SNAP online purchasing.”

“As we face serious hunger needs during the pandemic, and with consumers opting to get groceries delivered to safely avoid crowds at the store, we must expand online SNAP buying,” Duckworth said. “Creating an online portal for more retailers to use will expand access to SNAP benefits and food programs for Americans in need. This important step will help millions of people safely put food on the table, especially in rural areas and from smaller community retailers.”

Kelly said that “this simple, conmmon-sense bill will ensure that all Americans, regardless of how they pay for food or where they purchase it, can access healthy, fresh produce.”

The Illinois Environmental Council and the Illinois Farmers Market Coalition are among the many groups supporting the legislation.