The "Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act" mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to create a program facilitating cooperative agreements with eligible entities, including State, local, or Tribal governments. These agreements, awarded on a noncompetitive basis, are designed to support covered local producers by expanding economic opportunities, fostering partnerships within the food distribution community, and enhancing local and regional food security systems. Funds received through these agreements must be primarily used to purchase unprocessed or minimally processed local foods , such as produce, meats, and dairy, from covered producers. A key provision requires that at least 25 percent of the total annual value of purchased products come from small-size, mid-size, beginning, or veteran farmers or ranchers. Additionally, funds can provide technical assistance to producers, including food safety training, and support efforts to grow the local agricultural value chain, ensuring distribution to organizations experienced in food delivery. The bill allocates 10 percent of available funds to Tribal governments, with the remaining amounts distributed to States and other eligible entities based on a specified formula. The program is backed by mandatory funding of $200,000,000 annually from the Commodity Credit Corporation for fiscal year 2026 and each subsequent fiscal year, with additional appropriations authorized.
The "Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act" mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to create a program facilitating cooperative agreements with eligible entities, including State, local, or Tribal governments. These agreements, awarded on a noncompetitive basis, are designed to support covered local producers by expanding economic opportunities, fostering partnerships within the food distribution community, and enhancing local and regional food security systems. Funds received through these agreements must be primarily used to purchase unprocessed or minimally processed local foods , such as produce, meats, and dairy, from covered producers. A key provision requires that at least 25 percent of the total annual value of purchased products come from small-size, mid-size, beginning, or veteran farmers or ranchers. Additionally, funds can provide technical assistance to producers, including food safety training, and support efforts to grow the local agricultural value chain, ensuring distribution to organizations experienced in food delivery. The bill allocates 10 percent of available funds to Tribal governments, with the remaining amounts distributed to States and other eligible entities based on a specified formula. The program is backed by mandatory funding of $200,000,000 annually from the Commodity Credit Corporation for fiscal year 2026 and each subsequent fiscal year, with additional appropriations authorized.