Healthy Foods for Native Seniors Act

House Votes

This bill sets up a demonstration project so Tribal entities can buy food directly for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program in their communities. The aim is to improve the quality and cultural fit of food provided to Native elders, as reflected in the bill’s short title, Healthy Foods for Native Seniors Act. USDA would work with interested Tribes and allow those that already run the program well to purchase food through contracts with the agency.

Any food bought must be grown in the United States, keep the food package size about the same as current CSFP levels, and be as healthy as (or healthier than) the foods it replaces, or be food with Tribal significance. USDA may set other standards. The department must report to Congress each year on how the project is going, starting one year after funding is provided.

• Who is affected: Tribal entities—reservations, Tribes, and Tribal organizations—that already run CSFP successfully and have the capacity to purchase foods for it.
• What changes: These Tribal entities can enter contracts with USDA to buy foods for their local CSFP; USDA must consult with Tribes to set up the process and report yearly on results .
• Food rules: Must be domestic; cannot increase the total food amount in the package; must meet nutrition standards or reflect Tribal food traditions; and follow any other USDA criteria.
• Money and timing: Authorizes $5,000,000 for the project, available until used, but only if Congress appropriates it in advance. Also authorizes $1,200,000 each year for 2026–2029 to staff the USDA office that manages these contracts. Annual reports begin one year after funds are provided.