EAT Healthy Foods from Local Farmers Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6697

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

Last Updated

2026-05-16T08:08:00Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Expanding Access To Healthy Foods from Local Farmers Act" (H.R. 6697) aims to update the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 by enabling states to purchase certain agricultural products from small, underserved producers and distribute them through emergency food programs. This expands food aid options beyond donations, focusing on healthy, locally sourced foods that meet community needs, while supporting small-scale farmers and improving food supply chains.

Key Provisions

• Amendments to Section 203D (Purchase of Priority Agricultural Products):
• Allows states to use federal funds to buy "priority agricultural products" (e.g., fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, seafood, grains, poultry, or other foods) from "eligible entities" for distribution to people in need via emergency feeding organizations.
• Defines a "project" as the purchase and distribution process, emphasizing foods that are culturally or religiously relevant to local communities.
• Eligible entities include small businesses (growers, packers, processors, distributors, food hubs, or cooperatives) that are underserved (e.g., women-owned or veteran-owned), involve beginning farmers, or source from small/mid-sized family farms. They must be able to deliver products and commit to serving needy communities.
• Allocates federal funds to states based on an existing formula (from Section 214(a) of the Act), requiring states to submit plans listing partners, timelines, and compliance details.
• Authorizes $200 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for these projects, with funds available until the end of the next fiscal year; unspent funds can be reallocated to other states.
• Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to issue guidance within 180 days of enactment, including allocation info, partnership encouragement (especially for food-insecure communities), performance standards, and public reporting.
• Permits cooperative agreements between states to maximize commodity use, with prompt submission to the Secretary.
• Mandates regular financial reports from states and a comprehensive evaluation report to Congress after 4 years, assessing effectiveness in nutrition, supply chain resilience, and economic opportunities for eligible entities.

• Conforming Amendment to Section 202A:
• Updates references to include both donated and purchased commodities under the expanded program.

• Section 3: Intradepartmental Coordination:
• Establishes a cross-agency working group in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to review procurement practices and recommend ways to support diverse producers and distributors.
• Focuses on goals like nutrition security, access to culturally relevant foods, resilient local food systems, rural job creation, and reducing ownership concentration in agriculture.
• Requires annual reports to congressional agriculture committees on accomplishments, suggestions, and proposals for actions or legislation.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands the Emergency Food Assistance Act from relying solely on donated commodities to including state purchases using federal funds, adding a new subsection (d) for funded projects.
• Strikes outdated provisions (e.g., old subsection (c) and parts of (d)) and redesignates others to streamline the law.
• Introduces targeted support for underserved small producers, which was not previously specified, shifting focus from broad donations to intentional purchases that build supply chain resilience and community partnerships.
• Adds new funding authorization and reporting requirements, absent in the prior version.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Increases USDA responsibilities, including fund allocation, guidance issuance, working group oversight, and reporting to Congress, potentially enhancing coordination across departments but adding administrative workload.
• On Citizens: Improves access to nutritious, local, and culturally appropriate foods for low-income or food-insecure individuals through emergency programs, potentially reducing hunger and supporting healthier diets in underserved communities.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts mentioned; the bill focuses on domestic agriculture and food assistance.
• Broader effects include stronger local food systems and economic support for rural areas, which could indirectly boost community resilience to supply disruptions.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Emergency Feeding Organizations: Gain new sources of purchased foods to distribute, enabling broader reach to needy populations, including those facing disproportionate food insecurity.
• Small and Underserved Agricultural Producers: Eligible entities (e.g., women-owned businesses, veteran-owned operations, beginning farmers, family farms) benefit from direct sales opportunities and federal funding support.
• State Agencies: Responsible for planning, purchasing, and reporting, with opportunities for interstate cooperation.
• Needy Individuals and Communities: Primary beneficiaries through increased food access, particularly in areas with cultural or religious dietary needs.
• USDA and Congress: Oversee implementation, evaluation, and policy adjustments via the working group and reports.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens existing federal food assistance frameworks by integrating purchase mechanisms, with built-in accountability through plans, standards, and reports to ensure funds are used effectively. No challenges to federal spending authority are evident, as it builds on prior authorizations.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I to promote general welfare via agriculture and nutrition programs; emphasizes equity for underserved groups without raising equal protection issues.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan goals of food security, rural economic development, and supply chain resilience, potentially influencing future farm bills or nutrition policies. The focus on small producers and diverse communities could foster support in agricultural and social welfare debates, though funding levels may spark discussions on budget priorities.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
• 2025-12-12: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2025-12-12: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-12: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Expanding Access To Healthy Foods from Local Farmers Act — issued 2025-12-12 — PDF (9 pages)