Delivering for rural seniors

The Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 is amended by inserting after section 5 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93–86) the following: 5A. Commodity supplemental food program home delivery pilot program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Commodity supplemental food program The term commodity supplemental food program means the program established under section 4. (2) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (A) a local agency; and (B) a subdistributing agency. (3) Local agency The term local agency has the meaning given the term in section 247.1 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). (4) Pilot program The term pilot program means the home delivery pilot program established under subsection (b). (5) Rural area The term rural area has the meaning given the term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)). (6) State agency The term State agency has the meaning given the term in section 247.1 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). (7) Subdistributing agency The term subdistributing agency has the meaning given the term in section 247.1 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). (b) Home delivery pilot program The Secretary shall establish a home delivery pilot program under which the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to State agencies to carry out the activities described in subsection (e)(1). (c) Applications A State agency seeking a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (d) Maximum grant award The amount of a grant awarded to a State agency under the pilot program may not exceed the lesser of— (1) $4,000,000; and (2) the product obtained by multiplying— (A) the commodity supplemental food program caseload number for the applicable State at the time that the application for the grant is submitted under subsection (c); and (B) $60. (e) Use of grant funds (1) In general A State agency awarded a grant under the pilot program shall distribute the grant funds to eligible entities to operate projects that facilitate home delivery of commodities to participants in the commodity supplemental food program, including for costs relating to— (A) the transportation and distribution of those commodities for home delivery, including transportation and distribution services provided by a third party; (B) staffing required to operate home delivery services; and (C) outreach to participants or potential participants in the commodity supplemental food program with respect to home delivery. (2) Priority In distributing grant funds under paragraph (1), a State agency shall give priority to eligible entities that serve participants in the commodity supplemental food program who reside in rural areas. (f) 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 the pilot program, and each fiscal year thereafter until all grant funds are expended, the State agency shall submit to the Secretary a report that includes— (1) a summary of the activities carried out using the grant funds, including— (A) the quantity of commodities delivered; (B) the number of participants in the commodity supplemental food program served; and (C) the total number of deliveries; (2) an assessment of the effectiveness of those activities, including— (A) a calculation of the average cost per delivery; and (B) an evaluation of any services provided by a third party; and (3) best practices regarding use of home delivery to improve the effectiveness of the commodity supplemental food program. (g) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031, to remain available until expended..