SB 813, the SHOPP Act of 2025, would amend the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program to make nutrition incentives available year-round. The bill directs the program to support year-round access by allowing incentives to be used with fresh frozen fruits and vegetables, rather than limiting the program to fresh produce only. It also expands the program’s covered foods by adding legumes to the list of eligible fruits and vegetables.
In practical terms, the bill would revise the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to broaden how nutrition incentive grants can be designed and implemented. By changing the statutory language from “fresh fruits and vegetables” to “fresh or fresh frozen fruits, vegetables, and legumes,” the bill would give program administrators and grantees more flexibility in serving participants, especially during seasons when fresh produce is less available. The measure is aimed at improving access to healthy foods for families using nutrition incentives at participating retailers and markets.
Impact
The bill would amend section 4405 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which governs the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, to expand eligible products and program design options. It would not create a new program, but would modify existing federal nutrition incentive law to include legumes and fresh frozen produce, and to encourage year-round availability of incentives. The affected parties would include USDA program administrators, grant recipients, farmers markets, retailers, and low-income consumers who use nutrition incentives to purchase produce.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have a broadly positive and bipartisan framing, with introduction by Senators Cornyn, Luján, and Tuberville suggesting cross-party support for improving access to healthy food. No committee transcript or vote record is available in the provided material, so there is no recorded debate or formal opposition to assess. The bill’s title and substance indicate a generally supportive policy goal centered on nutrition access and produce affordability.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided record. Potential policy questions implied by the text include whether expanding eligible items to fresh frozen produce and legumes changes the program’s focus, how year-round incentives would be funded or administered, and whether retailers and markets would face additional compliance or inventory requirements. However, no member statements, amendments, or votes are available to show active disagreement.
An act to amend Sections 18980, 18981, 19010, 19011, 24744, 24745, 25053, 25055, 25056, 49012, 49013, 49014, 52323, 52324, and 52325 of the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to food and agriculture, and making an appropriation therefor.
Establishing the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program and the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program Account; and providing for research on Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program.