FMI members to address food industry policies with lawmakers on Capitol Hill

By Deniz Ataman

- Last updated on GMT

Source: Getty/Mikhail Makarov
Source: Getty/Mikhail Makarov

Related tags Food policy FMI Usda SNAP Farm Bill

Discussions between FMI – The Food Industry Association’s Government Relations Committee and lawmakers will surround Farm Bill reauthorization, food safety regulations and credit card competition, among others on April 19, 2023.

Earlier this year, FMI’s Board of Directors chose five key advocacy areas potentially impacted by policies in Washington. These include labor (workforce supply and regulatory enforcement), food safety (traceability), payments (credit card competition, swipe-free reform), pharmacy and economy and inflation.

In addition, FMI’s government relations team is focused on strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and ongoing supply chain challenges.

Supporting the reauthorization of SNAP and the Farm Bill

As the most comprehensive federal nutrition program, SNAP provides 41.5 million low-income Americans with monthly grocery benefits. The program was reauthorized in 2018 along with the 2018 Farm Bill with both set to expire this year. According to National Associations of Counties data​, Congress provided $153.8 billion in SNAP funding during FY 23.

Rapidly rising food prices coupled with supply chain challenges, geo-political strife and agricultural policy changes contributed to record inflation last year (11% price increase). As SNAP benefits are linked to food inflation, benefit levels “will automatically rise to reflect changes in the cost of living,” according to Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The program is the largest of the 12 titles covered in the Farm Bill, accounting for 95% of the spending, according to SnaptoHealth.org.

Food retailers, wholesalers and product suppliers of all sizes support reauthorization of SNAP, a vital program to so many Americans, and advocate for the continued safety and efficiency of the most abundant food system in the world,​” wrote Jennifer Hatcher, chief public policy officer, FMI in the association’s press release.

Mitigating credit card processing fees for retailers

On behalf of FMI’s retailer members, the committee plans to discuss rising credit card swipe fees. In 2022, Visa and Mastercard’s credit card processing fees were $1.2 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. With more consumers preferring to use credit cards in-store and for e-commerce, FMI notes the impact these costs are having on businesses.

Our retailer members are also confronted with ever-increasing credit swipe fees paid to the largest banks and credit card companies at the expense of communities across our nation,​” continued Hatcher.

Based on FMI data​, card processing fees in 2021 were up 112% over the last decade and continue to rise. The organization argues​ that these fees significantly impact grocery retailers that are unable to afford pricey swipe fees, as well as lower-income consumers without access to credit cards and those who rely on cash.

 

 

                                                                                                                                          

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Is your brand reputation at risk?

Is your brand reputation at risk?

Content provided by FoodChain ID | 20-Oct-2023 | White Paper

FoodChain ID has developed a new white paper, “Current Food Supply Chain Threats - Is Your Company's Brand Reputation at Risk?” examining recent regulatory...

Sustainable Sweetening Solutions from ADM

Sustainable Sweetening Solutions from ADM

Content provided by ADM | 13-Oct-2023 | Product Brochure

ADM understands sweetness—and sustainable sourcing. Not only do we have the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of sweetening solutions, we also are...

 Four actionable steps to reduce allergen recalls

Four actionable steps to reduce allergen recalls

Content provided by FoodChain ID | 04-Oct-2023 | White Paper

Failing to mitigate allergen risks has serious consequences - not just for consumer safety, poor allergen procedures can also cause financial losses and...

Accelerate your new product development (NPD)

Accelerate your new product development (NPD)

Content provided by FoodChain ID | 02-Oct-2023 | White Paper

Delivering new products to market is a complex process with multiple challenges that results in a failure rate of between 30-40%.

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars