Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act

This bill would create a USDA program that partners with state, local, and Tribal governments to buy more local food and get it to families, while strengthening local food systems. Money could be used to buy unprocessed or minimally processed local foods like produce, meat, dairy, eggs, poultry, and seafood; help farmers get food-safety training; and move the food through nonprofits and other distributors to improve access to healthy, fresh food. At least 25% of yearly purchases must come from small and mid-size producers, beginning farmers, or veteran farmers and ranchers. USDA would also give guidance and oversight to participating governments.

• Who is affected:

  • Farmers and ranchers, including small and mid-size producers, beginners, and veterans; fishermen and processors are included as “covered producers”.
  • State agencies and Tribal governments that manage agriculture, food distribution, or emergency response, plus nonprofits and other food distributors that get food to communities .

• What changes:

  • Noncompetitive agreements let eligible governments buy more local food and build partnerships with the food distribution community to get fresh, nutritious food to people.
  • Spending limits: no more than 25% of funds may go to admin and technical help combined, and at least half of that must be for technical help to producers.
  • Funding split each year: 10% goes to Tribal governments; from the rest, each state gets 1%; the remaining funds are distributed by a federal formula.

• When:

  • Funding starts in fiscal year 2026: $200 million a year from the Commodity Credit Corporation going forward, and an additional $200 million a year is authorized for 2026–2030.

• Helpful definitions:

  • Small producer: under $350,000 in annual farm income; mid-size: $350,000 to under $1,000,000. “Local foods” are unprocessed or minimally processed items that keep their natural character.