GusNIP Expansion Act of 2026

The GusNIP Expansion Act of 2026 aims to strengthen and expand the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) by amending the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. It extends the program's authorization for appropriations through fiscal year 2031 and beyond, providing specific funding levels for future years, and allows for waivers of the 50 percent federal cost-share requirement for activities in persistent poverty areas . The bill introduces new cooperative agreements designed to scale existing statewide nutrition incentive programs. These agreements, lasting at least four years, will be established between eligible entities and federal agencies, often in partnership with State SNAP agencies, and require 90 percent of funds to be spent on redeemed incentives. Priority will be given to agreements working across diverse retail settings, including independent retailers and farmers markets. Additionally, the legislation significantly revises the Produce Prescription Program by establishing distinct pilot and expansion grant tracks. Pilot grants will fund projects evaluating impact on dietary health, food insecurity, and healthcare costs, while expansion grants support projects demonstrating scalability and clinical integration. The Secretary is also directed to conduct a study and issue recommendations within three years on how to transition the program's payment to health insurance programs within a decade.