HR4782-119

What This Bill Does

The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act directs USDA to enter noncompetitive cooperative agreements with eligible state, territorial, tribal, and similar entities responsible for agriculture, procurement, food distribution, emergency response, or similar activities. The program supports covered local producers, expands economic opportunities, builds partnerships with producers and the food distribution community, distributes fresh and nutritious foods, and strengthens local and regional food security systems. Agreement funds must purchase unprocessed or minimally processed local foods such as seafood, meat, milk, dairy, eggs, produce, poultry, grains, beans, legumes, cheese, yogurt, fresh, frozen, canned, dried, cut, whole, or pureed foods. At least 25 percent of annual product value must be bought from small producers, mid-sized producers, beginning farmers or ranchers, or veteran farmers or ranchers. Funds must provide technical assistance to producers, including food safety training and certifications, support the local agricultural value chain, distribute foods to experienced distribution organizations including nonprofits, and build economic opportunity for producers. No more than 25 percent of an agreement may be used for administration and technical assistance together, and at least half of that amount must go to technical assistance. USDA must provide guidance, technical assistance, instruction, and monitoring during the agreement lifecycle. Each fiscal year, 10 percent of funds go to tribal governments, 1 percent goes to each state or territory, and remaining funds are allocated using the Emergency Food Assistance Act formula. Covered producers must be within the eligible entity's boundaries or within 400 miles of the food delivery destination. The bill uses $200 million in Commodity Credit Corporation funds for fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter and authorizes $200 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Who Benefits and How

Small farmers benefit because at least 25 percent of annual product value must come from small, mid-sized, beginning, or veteran producers. Beginning farmers and veteran ranchers benefit from reserved local-food purchasing opportunities. Local food banks and nonprofits benefit from food distribution partnerships to improve access to healthy foods. Tribal governments benefit from a 10 percent allocation of program funds. Consumers in food-insecure communities benefit from distribution of fresh and nutritious local foods.

Who Bears the Burden and How

USDA Secretary must establish cooperative agreements, allocate funds, monitor compliance, and provide guidance and technical assistance. Eligible state agencies must purchase qualifying local foods, satisfy producer-reservation rules, manage administration caps, and distribute foods. Food distribution organizations must handle storage, delivery, and access work for local foods. Commodity Credit Corporation bears $200 million per year in mandatory program funding.

Key Provisions

• Establishes USDA noncompetitive cooperative agreements for local food purchasing and distribution.
• Requires purchases of unprocessed or minimally processed local foods from covered producers.
• Requires at least 25 percent of annual product value to come from small, mid-sized, beginning, or veteran producers.
• Provides technical assistance for food safety training, certifications, and agricultural value-chain growth.
• Allocates 10 percent to tribal governments, 1 percent to each state, and $200 million annually from CCC funds.