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Healthy Foods for Native Seniors Act

USA119th CongressHR-2236| House 
| Updated: 4/18/2025
Gabe Vasquez

Gabe Vasquez

Democratic Representative

New Mexico

Agriculture Committee, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a demonstration project aimed at enhancing food access for Tribal communities through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Under this project, eligible Tribal entities will be empowered to enter into self-determination contracts to directly purchase agricultural commodities. This initiative seeks to provide greater flexibility and control to Tribal entities in sourcing food for their communities. To participate, Tribal entities must be successfully administering the food distribution program and demonstrate the capacity to purchase commodities, with the Secretary consulting Tribal entities on the process. Purchased commodities must be domestically produced , maintain nutritional standards, and can include items of Tribal significance . The bill also mandates the Secretary to appoint an existing Department of Agriculture office to administer these Tribal self-determination contracts, including hiring necessary staff. The legislation authorizes $5,000,000 for the demonstration project itself, to remain available until expended. Additionally, it authorizes $1,200,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to cover the salaries and benefits of Department staff managing these contracts. The Secretary is also required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the project's activities.
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Timeline
Mar 18, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Apr 18, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
  • March 18, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 18, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.


  • April 18, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

Native Americans

Congressional oversightFederal-Indian relationsFood supply, safety, and labelingIndian social and development programsMinority healthNutrition and diet

Healthy Foods for Native Seniors Act

USA119th CongressHR-2236| House 
| Updated: 4/18/2025
This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a demonstration project aimed at enhancing food access for Tribal communities through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Under this project, eligible Tribal entities will be empowered to enter into self-determination contracts to directly purchase agricultural commodities. This initiative seeks to provide greater flexibility and control to Tribal entities in sourcing food for their communities. To participate, Tribal entities must be successfully administering the food distribution program and demonstrate the capacity to purchase commodities, with the Secretary consulting Tribal entities on the process. Purchased commodities must be domestically produced , maintain nutritional standards, and can include items of Tribal significance . The bill also mandates the Secretary to appoint an existing Department of Agriculture office to administer these Tribal self-determination contracts, including hiring necessary staff. The legislation authorizes $5,000,000 for the demonstration project itself, to remain available until expended. Additionally, it authorizes $1,200,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to cover the salaries and benefits of Department staff managing these contracts. The Secretary is also required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the project's activities.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 18, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Apr 18, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
  • March 18, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 18, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.


  • April 18, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
Gabe Vasquez

Gabe Vasquez

Democratic Representative

New Mexico

Agriculture Committee, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee

Native Americans

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightFederal-Indian relationsFood supply, safety, and labelingIndian social and development programsMinority healthNutrition and diet