Sponsors (4)
The bill modestly expands access to nutritious food and nutrition counseling for low-income, rural, and Medicaid/SNAP populations via grants and provider supports, but limited funding, sustainability risks, and implementation/legal/admin challenges mean benefits may be uneven and short-lived.
Low-income, rural, and food-insecure individuals — especially Medicaid and SNAP beneficiaries — gain free access to healthy foods and nutrition counseling through supported food pharmacy models.
Local hospitals, clinics, nonprofits and other providers can build or convert facilities (including mobile units) to expand physical access to nutritious food in underserved areas.
Grants fund staffing and connections to other services so providers can deliver nutrition counseling and link patients to broader social supports.
The $10 million annual authorization is modest, so many eligible communities and people likely will not receive grants or services.
Grant-funded operations (staffing, facilities, mobile units) may be unsustainable if future federal or local funding isn't secured, risking program closures and service interruptions.
A findings-only provision and lack of mandated program standards mean promised benefits could be uneven and not equitably implemented across communities.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Creates a competitive HHS grant program (with USDA consultation) to fund healthy food pharmacies, authorizing $10M/year FY2026–2030 and capping grants at $500K per entity per year.
Official title: To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to assist in the establishment and operation of healthy food pharmacies, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 16, 2025 by Emilia Strong Sykes · Last progress September 16, 2025
Creates a new competitive grant program to fund “healthy food pharmacies” that expand access to nutritious food and nutrition guidance, prioritizing low-income, rural, and food-insecure communities. Grants may pay for facility construction/conversion, equipment (including mobile units), staffing (including patient navigation to other programs), and food acquisition; eligible grantees include nonprofits, state/local governments, and Tribal organizations. The program is administered by HHS in consultation with USDA, limits awards to $500,000 per entity per year, requires grantee reporting, and authorizes $10 million annually for FY2026–2030.