This bill changes parts of two nutrition laws to help the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). It extends dates in existing provisions from 2023 and 2024 to 2030. It adds a new annual commodity funding amount of $500,000,000 for each fiscal year 2026 through 2030. It increases the program storage and distribution amount from $100,000,000 to $200,000,000. It extends the time period for emergency food program infrastructure grants to 2030.
The bill adds a new set of rules for "geographically isolated States" (Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam). At their request, the Department of Agriculture must coordinate alternative delivery options so those places can receive commodities. Those places may also order commodities through the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. The Secretary may transfer up to the cash value of 20 percent of a geographically isolated State's commodity allocation so the State can buy domestically grown food instead of taking the commodities. The bill also allows USDA to consider factors beyond lowest price—such as product variety and transportation distance—when buying fresh produce packages, while maintaining the goal of maximizing nutritious food available through the program.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.