Dec 12, 2018

Arlington, VA - Food Marketing Institute (FMI) offers the following statement from Hannah Walker, senior director, technology and nutrition policy, on the passage of the Farm Bill legislation: 

“FMI would like to thank the Committee Chairmen and Ranking Members for their leadership in completing H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, ‘the Farm Bill.’ The bill helps FMI members keep operation costs down and fosters innovation and efficiencies for the future of food retail and its customers.

“The 2018 Farm Bill leverages technology to better serve every customer shopping in our members’ grocery stores. It drives modernization in the electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems, while protecting retailers from unfair and predatory interchange and processing fees. FMI is also pleased the Farm Bill encourages creative proposals from retailers who would like to incentivize SNAP customers to buy more fresh fruits, vegetables, milk and whole grains in addition to permanently authorizing the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program.

“This Farm Bill is the product of years of work and collaboration with Agriculture Committee members and their relentless staff to ensure program integrity and technological innovation in SNAP. FMI is excited to move to the next phase of work to implement the new law and helping our members continue to serve SNAP families in their communities.”