Infrastructure funding for farmers’ markets; local procurement pilot program

The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after section 4402 (7 U.S.C. 3007) the following: 4403. Infrastructure funding for farmers’ markets; local procurement pilot program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Disability The term disability has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102). (2) Older adult The term older adult has the meaning given the term older individual in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002). (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture. (b) Infrastructure funding for farmers’ markets (1) Definition of eligible entity In this subsection, the term eligible entity means an entity that— (A) is— (i) an agricultural cooperative or other agricultural business entity or a producer network or association, including a community-supported agriculture network or association; (ii) a local or Tribal government; (iii) a nonprofit corporation; (iv) a public benefit corporation; (v) an economic development corporation; (vi) a regional farmers’ market authority; (vii) a food council; or (viii) any other entity as determined by the Secretary; and (B) can demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Secretary. (2) Establishment Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Senior Hunger Prevention Act, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide financial assistance, in the form of loans, loan guarantees, and grants, to eligible entities for— (A) the establishment of new farmers’ markets; (B) the improvement or rehabilitation of existing farmers’ markets, including by adding or improving payment technologies used in those farmers’ markets; and (C) the expansion of community supported agriculture to serve older adults and adults with disabilities. (3) Requirements An eligible entity that receives financial assistance under paragraph (2) shall be required— (A) to host farmers’ markets or related activities at locations accessible— (i) by public transportation; (ii) by paratransit; or (iii) through transportation services provided under the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.); and (B) to reserve not less than 50 percent of the floor area of an applicable farmers’ market for the sale of products that are produced locally, as determined by the Secretary, by— (i) farmers, ranchers, or aquaculture, mariculture, or fisheries operators; or (ii) associations of farmers, ranchers, or aquaculture, mariculture, or fisheries operators. (4) Cost sharing The non-Federal share of a grant provided under this subsection shall be 20 percent of the amount of the grant, which may comprise transportation costs, volunteer contributions, and in-kind staffing. (5) Funding Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this subsection $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. (c) Local procurement pilot program (1) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Agricultural producer The term agricultural producer includes— (i) an agricultural cooperative; (ii) a person engaged in farming, ranching, or aquaculture; (iii) a person engaged in the packing of a food product; and (iv) a person engaged in the minimal processing of a food product, as determined by the Secretary. (B) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means an entity that— (i) (I) coordinates enrollment in, and distribution of, benefits under the seniors farmers’ market nutrition program; or (II) demonstrates an ability to partner with an entity that coordinates enrollment in and distribution of benefits under the seniors farmers’ market nutrition program; and (ii) is— (I) a public or nonprofit provider of nutrition services or support to older adults or adults with disabilities, including— (aa) an Aging and Disability Resource Center (as defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002)); (bb) an area agency on aging (as defined in that section); (cc) a State health insurance program; (dd) a State unit on aging; (ee) a center for independent living; (ff) a community health center; (gg) a multipurpose senior center; and (hh) federally subsidized housing, including federally subsidized housing units for older adults and adults with disabilities; or (II) a local, State, or national parks and recreation department. (2) Establishment Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Senior Hunger Prevention Act, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program under which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to contract with agricultural producers that will grow produce to support the local procurement and contracting of produce for eligible entities. (3) Priority In awarding grants under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity that will use grant funds to benefit underserved communities, including communities that are located in areas of concentrated poverty with limited access to fresh locally or regionally grown food. (4) Methods Under a contract described in paragraph (2), an agricultural producer may grow produce through traditional or controlled environmental agriculture. (5) Evaluation Not later than 2 years after the date of establishment of the pilot program under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot program. (6) Funding (A) In general Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this subsection $350,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. (B) Administrative costs Of the amounts made available under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year, not more than 5 percent may be used for administrative costs. (C) Evaluation In addition to amounts made available under subparagraph (A), there is appropriated to the Secretary, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $25,000 to carry out paragraph (5)..