New Markets for Farmers and Families Act
Summary
What This Bill Does
The New Markets for Farmers and Families Act amends the Agricultural Marketing Act local food promotion program. It lowers the ordinary matching requirement for eligible entities to 25 percent of the federal grant amount, in cash or in-kind contributions, and removes the matching requirement for priority grants. It increases mandatory funding from $50 million to $100 million for fiscal years through 2026, then sets ongoing funding at $50 million for fiscal year 2027 and each year after. It also reserves 30 percent of funding for priority grants to entities that have not received a grant in the previous 3 years and will use funds to establish new farmers markets.
Who Benefits and How
Local farmers and small agricultural producers benefit because more program funding and new-market priority grants can create additional sales outlets. Farmers market operators benefit from lower matching requirements and a dedicated reserve for new-market grants. Eligible entities that have not recently received grants benefit from the 30 percent priority set-aside. Low-income families and local-food consumers benefit indirectly if new or expanded markets improve access to fresh local food. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service grant staff benefit from clearer statutory funding and match rules.
Who Bears the Burden and How
USDA grant administrators must apply higher funding levels, the 25 percent match rule, the priority-grant match waiver, and the 30 percent reserve. Eligible entities receiving ordinary grants must still provide matching funds equal to 25 percent of the federal portion. Federal taxpayers fund the expanded mandatory spending. Existing applicants may face more competition for funds reserved for new-market priority grants.
Key Provisions
- Expands Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program funding to $100 million through fiscal year 2026.
- Provides $50 million annually for fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter.
- Reduces ordinary matching funds to 25 percent of the federal grant amount.
- Exempts priority grants from the matching requirement.
- Reserves 30 percent of funds for priority grants establishing new farmers markets.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Reauthorizes and expands the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program by doubling funding to $100 million through fiscal year 2026, setting $50 million annually for fiscal year 2027 and beyond, reducing matching funds to 25 percent, waiving matches for priority grants, and reserving 30 percent of funds for new-market priority grants.
Key Policy Areas
Agriculture, Food Access, Grants, Local Food
Primary Purpose
Reauthorizes and expands the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program by doubling funding to $100 million through fiscal year 2026, setting $50 million annually for fiscal year 2027 and beyond, reducing matching funds to 25 percent, waiving matches for priority grants, and reserving 30 percent of funds for new-market priority grants.
Policy Domains
Substantive provisions
Identified Gains
- Local farmers
- Small agricultural producers
- Farmers market operators
- New-market grant applicants
- Local-food consumers
Identified Costs
- USDA grant administrators
- Eligible entities providing matching funds
- Existing grant applicants
- Federal taxpayers
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
Ms. Underwood introduced the following bill; which was referred to …
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Introduced in House
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Farmers market operators, Local farmers, New-market grant applicants
Eligible entities providing matching funds
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "agencies"
- → ['Department of Agriculture', 'Agricultural Marketing Service']
- "programs"
- → ['Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program']
- "affected_groups"
- → ['Local farmers', 'Farmers market operators', 'Eligible entities', 'Federal taxpayers']
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology