Sponsors (74)
The bill directs substantial, mandatory federal funding to expand purchases of and access to local foods—benefiting small and tribal producers and increasing fresh food access—while imposing new federal spending and administrative constraints that could limit flexibility and exclude distant suppliers.
Producers — especially small, mid-size, beginning, and veteran farmers — gain a predictable, expanded market because eligible purchasers must reserve at least 25% of food purchases for local producers, increasing sales and income opportunities.
Producers receive targeted technical assistance (including food-safety training and certifications) that increases their capacity to meet demand and access new institutional markets.
Low-income and rural communities gain improved access to fresh, unprocessed or minimally processed foods through funded distribution to experienced distributors and nonprofit partners.
Taxpayers face increased mandatory federal spending (authorizes $200 million/year starting FY2026, plus an additional $200 million authorized for FY2026–2030), increasing federal outlays.
State agencies and implementing partners may incur new administrative and reporting burdens to comply with allocation formulas, reporting requirements, and the 25% local-purchase mandate.
Capping administrative and technical assistance expenses at 25% of funds (with at least half of that for TA) could constrain implementation flexibility and make it harder for some states or nonprofits to cover necessary overhead.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Establishes a USDA cooperative agreement program to buy and distribute local foods, with funding set at $200M/year from the CCC and an additional $200M/year authorized for FY2026–2030.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program under which the Secretary will enter into cooperative agreements with State, local, or Tribal governments increase the purchase of local foods, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 29, 2025 by Robert P. Bresnahan · Last progress July 29, 2025
Creates a USDA program that gives state agencies and federally recognized Tribes cooperative agreements to buy and distribute unprocessed or minimally processed local foods. The program requires at least 25% of purchases come from small, mid-size, beginning, or veteran producers, funds technical assistance and food-safety training, reserves 10% of funds for Tribes and 1% for each State, and provides dedicated funding through the Commodity Credit Corporation and an additional authorization for FY2026–2030.