This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to change how the Department of Agriculture (USDA) buys food. It requires the USDA to make more food available and purchase foods that support regional and resilient food systems, worker well-being, a safe and healthy environment, equity and inclusion, fairness for family farms and fishing businesses, and animal welfare. The bill defines "covered producers" (beginning, veteran, socially disadvantaged, and small or medium farms, fishing businesses, or ranches) and "covered entities" (processors, distributors, or food hubs that get at least 51% of their value from covered producers).
The bill requires a baseline report within one year and yearly reports after that. Reports must list spending by food category, name suppliers and producers for purchases, and estimate greenhouse gas emissions tied to USDA food purchases. The bill creates a 5-year pilot program to use a "best value" tradeoff process to select bids that favor foods in the bill's categories. The pilot must cover at least 20% of the USDA's annual food spending under covered authorities. The Secretary must also offer technical assistance and run a competitive grant program for covered producers and producer groups. The bill sets specific definitions and requires USDA to consider foods that limit deforestation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support organic and animal welfare certification, and come from workers- and equity-friendly suppliers.
The bill’s findings state that because USDA is a large food purchaser, it has the responsibility and opportunity to support a more just, healthy, and sustainable food system. Proponents in the bill aim to: strengthen regional and resilient food economies; create more opportunities for covered producers; expand choices for schools and food banks; expand workplace protections in food supply chains; and reduce environmental harm, including by limiting deforestation and lowering greenhouse gas emissions from foods purchased by USDA.
No publicly available information.