This legislation mandates the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) to establish a program aimed at significantly increasing the availability, visibility, affordability, and promotion of healthy foods in military commissaries across the United States, overseen by a newly appointed Director of Healthy Foods within DeCA. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture, to develop a comprehensive plan within 180 days. This plan must detail strategies for healthy food availability, including integrating local farmers and farmers markets, and identify necessary resources for implementation. These three departments are also tasked with jointly establishing interagency procedures to improve healthy food options, encompassing nutrition research coordination, best practice sharing, and promoting nutrition education for military families. The Director of Healthy Foods will conduct community outreach to local agricultural producers to foster their participation, and DeCA must make publicly available online resources identifying local healthy food options for each commissary. Finally, the Secretary of Defense is required to submit a report to Congress within one year on the plan's implementation, including details on food availability, sales trends, costs, and military family satisfaction. All requirements of this section are set to terminate on December 31, 2030.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Armed Forces and National Security
Healthy Commissaries, Healthy Families Act
USA119th CongressHR-9950| House
| Updated: 7/27/2026
This legislation mandates the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) to establish a program aimed at significantly increasing the availability, visibility, affordability, and promotion of healthy foods in military commissaries across the United States, overseen by a newly appointed Director of Healthy Foods within DeCA. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture, to develop a comprehensive plan within 180 days. This plan must detail strategies for healthy food availability, including integrating local farmers and farmers markets, and identify necessary resources for implementation. These three departments are also tasked with jointly establishing interagency procedures to improve healthy food options, encompassing nutrition research coordination, best practice sharing, and promoting nutrition education for military families. The Director of Healthy Foods will conduct community outreach to local agricultural producers to foster their participation, and DeCA must make publicly available online resources identifying local healthy food options for each commissary. Finally, the Secretary of Defense is required to submit a report to Congress within one year on the plan's implementation, including details on food availability, sales trends, costs, and military family satisfaction. All requirements of this section are set to terminate on December 31, 2030.