Farmers’ Market Local Revitalization Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4866
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-23: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-07T18:47:00Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation, titled the Farmers' Market Local Revitalization Act of 2026, aims to increase funding and modernize farmers' market nutrition programs. It seeks to better support seniors, low-income families, and eligible mothers, infants, and children while expanding market opportunities for local farmers and promoting equitable access through a phased transition to updated program delivery.
Key Provisions
- Raises annual funding for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program to $75 million from Commodity Credit Corporation funds for fiscal years 2027–2031, plus an additional $25 million in authorized appropriations.
- Introduces a new allocation formula based on low-income senior population, food insecurity rates, and rural factors, with hold-harmless protections and a 10% set-aside for non-participating states, territories, and tribes.
- Enhances benefits by setting a $35 minimum per participant, removing the maximum limit, allowing redemption through approved aggregators like food hubs, and supporting electronic or mobile payment technologies.
- Provides up to $25 million annually for technical assistance, including infrastructure upgrades for electronic benefit systems and support for new program participants.
- Updates the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program by raising minimum benefits to $35 and maximum to $60, authorizing $30 million in mandatory funding for fiscal years 2027–2031, and permitting up to 10% of funds for technology modernization.
- Requires a study on aligning benefit delivery across farmers' market and nutrition incentive programs and a report to Congress on local food procurement impacts.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill amends Section 4402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and Section 17(m) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Key updates include higher funding levels, revised eligibility and benefit rules, expanded use of electronic payments and aggregators, and new requirements for interoperability with programs like SNAP and WIC. It also removes certain prior restrictions on state funding shares and streamlines some administrative provisions.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state agencies in managing expanded funding, new allocation formulas, and technology transitions; may require rule-making within one year.
- Citizens: Improves access to fresh, local food for seniors and WIC participants through higher benefits and flexible redemption options, potentially aiding food-insecure households in rural areas.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Low-income seniors and WIC-eligible households.
- Local farmers, farmers' markets, food hubs, and community supported agriculture operations.
- State agriculture and health departments, territories, and Indian Tribes.
- Emergency feeding organizations and nonprofit partners involved in hunger relief.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill relies on existing appropriations mechanisms and mandatory funding from the Treasury, which could affect federal budget processes. It introduces hold-harmless provisions and phased implementation to limit disruptions, while emphasizing interoperability with other federal nutrition programs. No major constitutional issues are evident, though changes to benefit structures and technology requirements may raise administrative and privacy considerations in program delivery.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-23: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2026-06-23: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Farmers’ Market Local Revitalization Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-23 — PDF (17 pages)