This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to set up a program of cooperative agreements with State, local, and Tribal governments to boost purchases of local foods. It aims to support nearby producers and strengthen regional food systems.
Who this affects
State governments · Local governments · Tribal governments · Local producers
What changes is this bill making?
1Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make noncompetitive cooperative agreements with State, local, and Tribal governments to support local food purchases and systems
2Allows funds to buy unprocessed or minimally processed local foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, eggs, poultry, and seafood
3Requires at least 25 percent of the value of purchases be from small, mid-size, beginning, or veteran producers
4Authorizes using funds for technical assistance like food safety training and helping farmers build local value chains
5Supports distribution of local foods through organizations with distribution experience, including nonprofits, to improve access
6Limits administrative and technical assistance costs to 25 percent of each funding award, with at least half of that for technical assistance
7Allocates each year’s funding by giving 10 percent to Tribal governments, 1 percent to each State, and the rest by a formula under the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983
8Provides $200 million annually from the Commodity Credit Corporation starting in fiscal year 2026 and authorizes the same amount for 2026 through 2030
