Technical Assistance Center for farmers’ market operators and farmers

(a) Establishment Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall— (1) establish a Technical Assistance Center for farmers’ market operators and farmers (in this section referred to as the Center); and (2) to the extent practicable, consult on the design and scope of the Center with farmers, farmers’ market managers, State agencies, and community organizations with experience in implementation of Federal nutrition benefits. (b) Administration (1) Selection process To carry out the activities of the Center under subsection (c), the Secretary shall seek to enter into a cooperative agreement, on a competitive basis, with an eligible entity. (2) Application An eligible entity seeking to enter into a cooperative agreement shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (3) Panel review (A) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a panel— (i) to review applications submitted to the Secretary under paragraph (2); and (ii) to make recommendations to the Secretary with respect to selecting an eligible entity under paragraph (1) in accordance with subparagraph (C). (B) Members The panel established under subparagraph (A) shall include at least— (i) 1 member with experience as a farmers’ market manager; and (ii) 1 member with experience providing technical assistance to farmers regarding accepting Federal nutrition benefits. (C) Selection criteria The panel established under subparagraph (A) shall only recommend eligible entities to the Secretary with respect to selecting an eligible entity under paragraph (1) that the panel has determined to possess expertise in providing training and technical assistance to farmers’ markets and farmers regarding Federal nutrition programs. (4) Priority In selecting an eligible entity under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity that— (A) has experience engaging with Federal nutrition programs administered by the Department, such as FMNP, WIC, or other nutrition incentive programs; and (B) has a history of effectively serving small and mid-sized farms, local agriculture, and underserved communities. (5) Eligible entity defined For purposes of this subsection, the term eligible entity means— (A) a nonprofit organization; (B) an institution of higher education; (C) a cooperative extension service; (D) a regional food system network; or (E) any other entity with demonstrated capacity to carry out the activities described in subsection (c), as determined by the Secretary. (c) Activities The Center shall provide services related to the programs under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(m)) and section 18 of such Act, as added by this Act, including— (1) assisting farmers and farmers’ market operators with understanding and complying with eligibility, application, and authorization requirements— (A) under the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); (B) under the FMNP; (C) under the SFMNP; and (D) for accepting cash-value benefits; (2) providing training to farmers’ market managers and local farm vendors on how to accept electronic benefits transfer payments from recipients and participants of such programs, including guidance on the use of qualified payment devices authorized by the Secretary under section 18(b)(2)(B) of such Act, as added by this Act; (3) creating, maintaining, and distributing resources and best practices for the acceptance and administration of nutrition benefits in farmers’ market settings; (4) sharing implementation information with State agencies, local agencies, stakeholders and other technical assistance providers in a timely manner; and (5) collecting and analyzing information on related program outcomes. (d) Annual report Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Center shall submit to the Secretary and relevant congressional committees a report that— (1) summarizes the activities of the Center, including the information collected pursuant to subsection (c)(5); and (2) makes recommendations on how to encourage farmers and farmers’ markets to engage with programs under section 17(m) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(m)) and section 18 of such Act, as added by this Act.