Providing Robust Organics and Diets for Urban Communities Everywhere Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5804
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-04T08:07:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The PRODUCE Act (H.R. 5804) aims to extend and enhance federal support for urban farming and innovative food production methods by reauthorizing a specific office within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This helps promote sustainable agriculture in cities, addressing food access and environmental challenges in urban areas.
Key Provisions
- Reauthorization Period: Extends the office's operations through fiscal year 2030 (previously set to end in 2023).
- Funding Increase: Allocates $50 million annually for each fiscal year from 2025 to 2030 (doubling the previous $25 million per year for 2019–2023).
- Targeted Amendments: Updates specific sections of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to reflect these changes, focusing on the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Prolongs the authorization dates in two subsections (b)(5)(B) and (d)(1)(C)) from 2023 to 2030, ensuring continued legal backing for the office's programs.
- Doubles annual funding and shifts the funding timeline forward to 2025–2030, providing more resources for urban agriculture initiatives like community gardens, rooftop farming, and innovative techniques such as vertical farming or hydroponics.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Strengthens the USDA's role in urban food systems, potentially increasing administrative and grant-making activities to support city-based projects.
- On Citizens: Improves access to fresh, locally grown produce in urban communities, benefiting low-income residents by enhancing food security, nutrition, and economic opportunities in agriculture-related jobs.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could indirectly promote U.S. expertise in sustainable urban farming as a model for global food innovation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Urban Communities and Residents: Primary beneficiaries, especially in cities with limited green spaces or food deserts.
- USDA and Agricultural Organizations: Gain extended funding and authority to expand programs.
- Farmers and Innovators: Small-scale urban producers, nonprofits, and tech developers in food production who rely on federal grants.
- Congressional Sponsors: Representatives from diverse districts (e.g., urban and rural areas) advocating for bipartisan food policy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Ensures continuity of USDA programs without major new regulations, relying on existing frameworks; no challenges to separation of powers or federalism noted.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, supporting public welfare through agriculture without infringing on state or individual rights.
- Political: Reflects bipartisan interest in urban sustainability and food equity, potentially influencing future farm bills; the funding increase may spark debates on federal budget priorities amid fiscal constraints.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
- 2025-10-21: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2025-10-21: Introduced in House
- 2025-10-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Providing Robust Organics and Diets for Urban Communities Everywhere Act — issued 2025-10-21 — PDF (2 pages)