The SHOPP Act of 2025 expands the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program to include fresh frozen fruits and vegetables, and legumes, increasing access to healthy food options.
Jasmine Crockett
Representative
TX-30
The SHOPP Act of 2025 expands the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program to increase access to healthy foods. It allows program incentives to be used for fresh frozen fruits and vegetables, increasing year-round availability. The act also includes legumes as eligible purchases, alongside fruits and vegetables, to promote diverse and nutritious food choices.
SHOPP Act of 2025 Expands Food Aid to Cover Frozen Fruits, Veggies, and Legumes
The "Supporting all Healthy Options when Purchasing Produce Act of 2025," or SHOPP Act of 2025, tweaks the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) to make it easier for people to buy healthy food.
Fresh, Frozen, and Flexible
The core change? The SHOPP Act expands what you can buy with GusNIP incentives. Previously limited to fresh produce, the program will now cover fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, and adds legumes to the list (Section 2). Think canned beans, frozen peas, or a bag of apples – all now easier to get with this program.
Real-World Impact
This isn't just about more options on the shelf. It's about making healthy eating more practical, all year round.
- For a single mom: It means being able to use incentives to stock up on frozen berries in winter, when fresh ones are pricey or unavailable.
- For a construction worker: It means grabbing a bag of frozen mixed veggies for a quick, healthy meal after a long shift, without worrying about them spoiling.
- For someone in a rural area: It can mean access to a wider variety of produce if the local store has limited fresh options.
The Bigger Picture
By including frozen produce and legumes, the SHOPP Act acknowledges that "fresh" isn't the only healthy option. Frozen fruits and vegetables are often just as nutritious as fresh, and sometimes even more so, since they're frozen at peak ripeness. Legumes, like beans and lentils, are packed with protein and fiber, making them a smart, budget-friendly choice.
This expansion could mean families have an easier time putting healthy meals on the table, regardless of the season or their location. While tracking purchases and preventing fraud might present some challenges, the potential upside is clear: more Americans getting the nutrients they need.