This bill would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to create a program of noncompetitive cooperative agreements with eligible State, local, or Tribal agencies. The agreements would fund purchases of unprocessed or minimally processed local foods from nearby producers (within the delivery area or within 400 miles). Funds may be used to buy foods, provide technical assistance to producers (including food safety training and help growing local value chains), distribute foods through experienced distributors and nonprofits, and expand economic opportunities for local producers. Eligible entities must ensure at least 25 percent of the annual value of purchased products come from small-size, mid-size, beginning, or veteran producers. An eligible entity may use up to 25 percent of its award for administrative expenses and technical assistance, and at least half of that amount must go to technical assistance. The Secretary must give guidance and monitoring to participants, allocate 10 percent of funds to Tribal governments, allocate 1 percent to each State from remaining funds, and distribute remaining funds using a formula in the Emergency Food Assistance Act. The bill defines producer size categories, covered producers, and what counts as unprocessed or minimally processed foods. Funding provisions name $200,000,000 from the Commodity Credit Corporation for fiscal year 2026 and each year after, and authorize $200,000,000 in appropriations for each fiscal year 2026–2030.
According to the bill text, supporters seek to help covered local producers by building and expanding economic opportunities, broaden partnerships between producers and the food distribution community, and strengthen local and regional food security and systems. The bill frames the program as a way to increase purchases of fresh, nutritious local foods and provide technical assistance to producers.
No publicly available information.