HR1538-119

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Delivering for Rural Seniors Act of 2025.

2. Commodity supplemental food program delivery pilot program The Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note) is amended by inserting after section 5 the following: The purposes of this section are— to award grants for the operation of projects that increase the access of low-income elderly persons to commodities through home delivery; and to evaluate such projects. The Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, grants to State agencies to carry out the activities described in subsection (e). A grant awarded to a State agency under this section may be in an amount not greater than the lesser of— the State’s commodity supplemental food program caseload at time of application multiplied by 60; or $4,000,000. A State agency seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. A State agency awarded a grant under this section shall distribute grant funds to eligible entities to operate projects that facilitate home delivery of commodities to participants in the commodity supplemental food program, including with respect to costs associated with— transportation and distribution of commodities to participants in the commodity supplemental food program, including transportation and distribution services provided by a third party; staffing required to operate home delivery services; and outreach to participants or potential participants in the commodity supplemental food program with respect to home delivery. A State agency awarded a grant under this section shall prioritize eligible entities that serve participants in the commodity supplemental food program who reside in a rural area. No later than 180 days after the end of the fiscal year in which a State agency is awarded a grant under this section and has distributed grant funds to eligible entities, and in each succeeding fiscal year until grant funds are expended, a State agency shall submit a report to the Secretary that includes— a summary of the activities carried out under the project, including the quantity of commodities delivered, number of participants in the commodity supplemental food program served, and total number of deliveries; an assessment of the effectiveness of the project, including— a calculation of the average cost per delivery; and an evaluation of any services provided by a third party; and best practices regarding use of home delivery to improve the effectiveness of the commodity supplemental food program. In this section: The term commodity supplemental food program means the program established under section 4. The terms local agency, State agency, and subdistributing agency have the meanings given such terms in section 247.1 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). The term eligible entity means— a local agency; or a subdistributing agency. The term rural area has the meaning given such term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)). There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028, to remain available until expended. 5A.Commodity supplemental food program delivery pilot program (a)PurposeThe purposes of this section are— (1)to award grants for the operation of projects that increase the access of low-income elderly persons to commodities through home delivery; and (2)to evaluate such projects. (b)In generalThe Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, grants to State agencies to carry out the activities described in subsection (e). (c)Maximum grant awardA grant awarded to a State agency under this section may be in an amount not greater than the lesser of— (1)the State’s commodity supplemental food program caseload at time of application multiplied by 60; or (2)$4,000,000. (d)ApplicationA State agency seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (e)Grant usesA State agency awarded a grant under this section shall distribute grant funds to eligible entities to operate projects that facilitate home delivery of commodities to participants in the commodity supplemental food program, including with respect to costs associated with— (1)transportation and distribution of commodities to participants in the commodity supplemental food program, including transportation and distribution services provided by a third party; (2)staffing required to operate home delivery services; and (3)outreach to participants or potential participants in the commodity supplemental food program with respect to home delivery. (f)PriorityA State agency awarded a grant under this section shall prioritize eligible entities that serve participants in the commodity supplemental food program who reside in a rural area. (g)Report to the SecretaryNo later than 180 days after the end of the fiscal year in which a State agency is awarded a grant under this section and has distributed grant funds to eligible entities, and in each succeeding fiscal year until grant funds are expended, a State agency shall submit a report to the Secretary that includes— (1)a summary of the activities carried out under the project, including the quantity of commodities delivered, number of participants in the commodity supplemental food program served, and total number of deliveries; (2)an assessment of the effectiveness of the project, including— (A)a calculation of the average cost per delivery; and (B)an evaluation of any services provided by a third party; and (3)best practices regarding use of home delivery to improve the effectiveness of the commodity supplemental food program. (h)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Commodity supplemental food programThe term commodity supplemental food program means the program established under section 4. (2)CFR termsThe terms local agency, State agency, and subdistributing agency have the meanings given such terms in section 247.1 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (3)Eligible entityThe term eligible entity means— (A)a local agency; or (B)a subdistributing agency. (4)Rural areaThe term rural area has the meaning given such term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)). (i)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028, to remain available until expended..