What does Preamble of EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'A bill to improve purchasing of food by the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Enabling Farmer, Food worker, Environmental, and Climate Targets through Innovative, Values-aligned, and Equitable Food Procurement Act.

What does FINDINGS. of EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act do?

This section establishes findings related to the Department of Agriculture's role in the food system. Congress finds the Department of Agriculture has a responsibility and opportunity to support a more just, healthy, and sustainable food system. The Department of Agriculture is recognized as one of the largest food purchasers globally. The findings identify six areas the Department should prioritize through its purchasing practices: regional food economies, worker well-being, a safe and healthy environment, equity and inclusion, fairness for family farms, and animal welfare.

What does DEFINITIONS. of EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act do?

This section defines key terms used throughout the Act. A 'beginning farmer, fisherman, or rancher' is someone who has not operated such a business or has done so for no more than 10 years. A 'certification program' uses independent auditors to assess producers' compliance with standards exceeding conventional practices and legal requirements. Several existing authorities related to agricultural purchasing are designated as 'covered authority'. A 'covered entity' is a nonprofit or for-profit organization sourcing at least 51% of its value from 'covered producers'. A 'covered producer' includes beginning, veteran, socially disadvantaged, or small/medium-sized farmers, fishermen, or ranchers. The term 'fishing business' is defined according to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Act defines 'Native Alaskan' and 'Native Hawaiian' based on existing legislation. A 'policy to limit deforestation' requires measures to identify origin, ensure traceability, and protect biodiversity throughout the supply chain. The 'Secretary' refers to the Secretary of Agriculture.

What does FAIR FOOD PROCUREMENT. of EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act do?

This section establishes requirements for food procurement by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) under covered authorities. The purposes of these requirements include strengthening the domestic food system, creating opportunities for producers, expanding food choices for school food authorities and food banks, and expanding workplace protections. The Secretary shall make available and purchase a variety of foods supporting equity, resilient supply chains, worker well-being, and climate change mitigation. Foods prioritized include those produced by covered producers, accommodating restricted diets, sourced from agricultural cooperatives, certified organic farms, farms with animal welfare certifications, and those using practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Within one year of enactment, the Secretary must submit a baseline report to Congress detailing current spending on food categories, supplier information, and greenhouse gas emissions estimates. The Secretary must also set targets, by 2032, to increase spending in specified food categories and reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions. Annual reports, starting two years after enactment, will detail spending, supplier information, and greenhouse gas emissions related to food purchases. The bill authorizes $2,000,000 to carry out these provisions.

What does SET-ASIDE FOR COVERED PRODUCERS. of EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act do?

The Secretary is directed to enter into procurement contracts with covered producers and covered entities on a competitive basis. For fiscal years 2026 through 2031, the Secretary must use at least $2,000,000 of funds made available under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c) to carry out this purpose.

What does BEST VALUE PROCUREMENT PILOT PROGRAM; TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; of EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act do?

This section establishes a Best Value Procurement Pilot Program for food procurement contracts, utilizing a tradeoff process to select bids. The Secretary must establish evaluation criteria for the pilot program after providing notice and an opportunity for public comment, and engaging with various stakeholders including producers, entities, individuals with dietary restrictions, and workers in the food system. The pilot program requires the Secretary to select bids annually representing at least 20% of the Department of Agriculture’s annual food spending. The Secretary is required to submit annual reports to Congress on the pilot program's progress, including the number of solicitations, total spending, evaluation criteria, and vendor input. The Best Value Procurement Pilot Program will terminate five years after the Act's enactment. The Secretary is directed to provide technical assistance to producers and entities to support equitable participation in Department of Agriculture procurement programs. A competitive grant program is established to assist eligible applicants, such as producers and cooperatives, in participating in procurement programs. Grants awarded under this program can be used for activities like obtaining food safety accreditations, purchasing liability insurance, and developing food safety plans. The maximum grant amount for eligible applicants is capped at $100,000. The Secretary is authorized to appropriate $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, to remain available through fiscal year 2031, to carry out this section.

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EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act

Last updated: 1/14/2026 · Introduced: 12/15/2025

Author: Edward Markey (D-MA)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prioritize food purchases that support regional food economies, worker well-being, environmental sustainability, equity, and animal welfare.
It mandates the USDA to increase spending on foods produced by beginning, veteran, socially disadvantaged, and small/medium-sized farmers, fishermen, and ranchers, setting targets to be achieved by 2032.
The bill establishes a Best Value Procurement Pilot Program allowing the USDA to select bids based on a tradeoff process, considering factors beyond just price, and requires annual reports on the program’s progress.
It authorizes $25 million in competitive grants to assist producers and cooperatives with costs like food safety accreditations and liability insurance to participate in USDA procurement programs.
The bill requires the USDA to submit baseline and annual reports detailing food spending, supplier information, and greenhouse gas emissions related to food purchases, and authorizes $2 million to implement these reporting requirements.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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