Fresh Bucks for Fresh Produce Act

Bill Number

H.R. 9581

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-07-02: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Last Updated

2026-07-07T05:38:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Fresh Bucks for Fresh Produce Act (H.R. 9581)

Purpose

This legislation establishes a five-year pilot program in the Department of Agriculture to provide eligible low-income households with a monthly payment of $60 for purchasing fresh, frozen, or dried produce and related items. The program aims to improve access to healthy foods in underserved communities and to evaluate the effects of these payments through data collection and reporting.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program: The Secretary of Agriculture awards grants to States to run the program, with requirements for applications that include plans to reach low-access areas and expand retailer participation through options like mobile markets or partnerships.
• State Program Requirements: States must create short, low-barrier applications; use electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards for payments; offer technical assistance to retailers; and incorporate opt-in or auto-enrollment for SNAP participants while minimizing extra paperwork.
• Eligibility: Limited to households earning 80% or less of area median income, with SNAP households automatically qualifying. Only one application per household is allowed.
• Payment Details: Payments supplement (do not replace) other benefits, must be used within 30 days, and are restricted to qualifying foods such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, or plant starts from approved retailers like farmers markets, independent grocers, or supermarkets.
• Data and Evaluation: The Secretary conducts a study collecting data on household demographics, food security changes, consumption habits, and access barriers, with an initial report due within 6–12 months and a final report at five years that includes recommendations on program continuation or expansion.
• Geographic and Preference Rules: Grants prioritize food-insecure communities and ensure at least one award per specified U.S. region (Pacific Northwest, Northeast, Western, Midwest, Southern).
• Termination: The program ends five years after enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new federal pilot program rather than amending major statutes. It builds on existing tools such as the SNAP program for eligibility verification and EBT technology for disbursements but creates a distinct grant-based mechanism for produce-specific monthly payments. It does not alter core SNAP rules or other nutrition assistance programs.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of Agriculture gains new administrative duties for grant oversight, data analysis, and reporting; States handle implementation, including staffing, retailer coordination, and local outreach, with allowable use of funds for administrative costs.
• Citizens: Eligible low-income households may gain increased access to produce, potentially improving food security and dietary habits, though participation depends on State implementation and retailer availability.
• Retailers and Communities: Farmers markets, grocers, and similar outlets could see increased sales; community organizations and health clinics may partner in outreach.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Low-income households in participating States.
• State governments and their agencies.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• Eligible retailers (e.g., farmers markets, supermarkets).
• Community-based organizations and health clinics involved in outreach.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The bill raises no apparent constitutional concerns, as it operates within Congress’s spending and commerce powers through a voluntary grant program. It emphasizes data-driven evaluation and geographic equity in grant awards. As a time-limited pilot, it allows assessment before any potential broader expansion, with explicit requirements for plain-language, multilingual materials and reduced administrative burdens.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

Recent Actions

• 2026-07-02: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2026-07-02: Introduced in House
• 2026-07-02: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Fresh Bucks for Fresh Produce Act — issued 2026-07-02 — PDF (10 pages)