Sponsors (4)
The bill expands allowable grant uses and funds a nationwide study to improve food-bank cold-chain capacity—potentially increasing access to perishable foods for low-income households—but may raise federal costs, delay direct equipment investments, and strain smaller organizations or local producers.
Low-income individuals, families, and children will have better access to perishable and other USDA commodities because grants can be used for broader infrastructure, renovation, and distribution supports that expand food banks' capacity.
Emergency food organizations and local governments will get a nationwide estimate of refrigerated storage and transport shortfalls and costs, enabling targeted investment planning and better allocation of future resources (funded with $1,000,000 and a 2-year completion timeline).
Grant recipients can retain more funding for direct program activities because administrative costs are capped at 10%, increasing funds available for food purchases and distribution.
Taxpayers could face higher federal costs if the broader allowable uses increase total grant outlays or prompt additional appropriations to cover expanded infrastructure and distribution investments.
The mandated national study (funded at $1,000,000) diverts funds and delays direct equipment purchases, leaving emergency food organizations without new coolers/trucks while waiting up to two years for recommendations.
Capping administrative costs at 10% could strain smaller organizations that rely on higher overhead to operate, making it harder for them to apply for or administer grants.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Broadens EFAP infrastructure grant eligibility and allowable uses, caps admin costs at 10%, and funds a USDA two-year study on refrigerated storage and vehicle shortages with $1M.
Introduced December 18, 2025 by Suzanne Bonamici · Last progress December 18, 2025
Makes targeted changes to the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) infrastructure grants by widening eligible entities and allowable uses, shifting language to support activities (including renovations, refrigeration, and distribution needs), and capping administrative costs at 10% of each grant. Also requires USDA to complete a national study within two years on shortages of refrigerated/frozen storage and refrigerated delivery vehicles for emergency food organizations and provides $1,000,000 to carry out that study.