Commodity supplemental food program

Section 5 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93–86) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1) by striking 2023 and inserting 2031, and (B) in paragraph (2)(B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 2023 and inserting 2031, (2) in subsection (d)(2), in the 1st sentence, by striking 2023 and inserting 2031; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (n) Commodity supplemental food program delivery pilot program (1) Purpose The purpose of this subsection is to award grants for the operation of projects that increase the access of low-income elderly persons to commodities through home delivery or other means and to evaluate such projects. (2) In general The Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, grants directly to State agencies, or to State agencies on behalf of eligible entities, to carry out the activities described in paragraph (5). (3) Maximum grant award A grant awarded to a State agency under this subsection shall not exceed— (A) the greater of— (i) the State’s commodity supplemental food program caseload at time of application multiplied by 60; or (ii) $10,000; or (B) $4,000,000; whichever is less. (4) Application A State agency seeking a grant under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (5) Grant uses A State agency awarded a grant under this subsection shall distribute grant funds to eligible entities to operate projects that facilitate delivery of commodities to participants in the commodity supplemental food program, including with respect to costs associated with— (A) transportation and distribution of commodities to participants in the commodity supplemental food program, including transportation and distribution services provided by a third party; (B) staffing required to operate delivery services; and (C) outreach to participants or potential participants in the commodity supplemental food program with respect to home delivery. (6) Priority A State agency awarded a grant under this subsection must prioritize eligible entities that serve participants in the commodity supplemental food program who reside in a rural area. (7) Report to the Secretary Not later than 180 days after the end of the fiscal year in which a State agency is awarded a grant under this subsection and has distributed grant funds to eligible entities, and in each succeeding fiscal year until grant funds are expended, a State agency shall submit a report to the Secretary that includes— (A) a summary of the activities carried out under the project, including the quantity of commodities delivered, number of participants in the commodity supplemental food program served, and total number of deliveries; (B) an assessment of the effectiveness of the project, including a calculation of the average cost per delivery, and an evaluation of any services provided by a third party; and (C) best practices regarding use of home delivery to improve the effectiveness of the commodity supplemental food program. (8) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Terms in regulations The term State agency, local agency, and subdistributing agency have the meanings given such terms in section 247.1 of title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations). (B) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (i) a local agency; or (ii) a subdistributing agency. (C) Rural area The term rural area has the meaning given such term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)). (9) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to remain available until expended..