NACS praises the bill, which includes a ban on processing fees for SNAP transactions.
On December 20, 2018, President Trump signed into law the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, known as the Farm Bill.
NACS advocated for passage of the Farm Bill because of its ban on processing fees on all Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) transactions. The bill also reiterates the current ban on interchange fees from these transactions.
“Convenience stores are critical partners in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, providing essential access to food for SNAP families who may not live near a larger retailer or who shop during non-traditional hours,” said Anna Ready, NACS director of government relations. “NACS commends Congress for passing sensible legislation that will place a ban on all processing fees and emphasizes the ban on interchange fees on SNAP transactions. We are pleased that Congress heeded these concerns and recognized that these fees have a negative impact on SNAP customers.”
The Farm Bill reauthorizes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). More than 119,000 convenience stores accept SNAP benefits and serve the communities in which they operate. During the legislative process to approve this bill, NACS advocated for the critical role convenience stores play in providing access to food for SNAP beneficiaries.
