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DeLauro, Bishop Alarmed by Reports Regarding SNAP Farmers Market Access, Request Update from USDA

July 12, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) today sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue regarding recent media reports that thousands of low-income people could lose access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at farmers markets across the country.

"USDA's Food and Nutrition Service was recently notified that a company currently providing a SNAP transaction platform plans to shut down," said the Members. "At present, many details surrounding this situation remain unclear; however, we would like to stress the importance of identifying a timely solution to this impending problem."

"The partnership between SNAP and area farmers markets is also critically important to farmers and ranchers in America's rural economy. Today, SNAP recipients annually purchase more than $18 million worth of products at farmers markets and from direct-marketing farmers, representing a significant share of farm income from coast-to-coast," continued the Members. "Any loss of access to SNAP benefits at farmers markets would result in increased hunger and food insecurity for low-income people and decreased revenues for America's small farmers and ranchers."

A copy of the full letter can be found here. DeLauro is the former Chair of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, and Bishop is the current Ranking Member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.