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119-hr-6775119th CongressWALLET

New Markets for Farmers and Families Act

Sponsored By: Representative Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]

In Committee

Summary

Boosts federal funding for farmers' markets and local food programs. This bill raises how much the program can award each year, asks most grantees to contribute a 25% match, and adds public reporting and Inspector General reviews to track results.

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  • Communities and shoppers: More funding means more grants to open or expand farmers' markets and local food projects because the program's annual cap rises from $50 million to $100 million and a new $50 million yearly amount begins in 2027.
  • Farmers, nonprofits, and local food businesses: Eligible grantees must provide matching funds equal to 25% of the federal grant, with exceptions for certain priority awards. The bill also reserves 30% of the new annual funding for priority grants to entities that have not received a grant in the past 3 years.
  • Transparency and oversight: The Department of Agriculture must publish application and award data within three years. The Inspector General must report any fraud or abuse and assess how the matching change affected participation.

*Net effect: increases federal spending by raising annual grant authority to $100.0 million and adding a $50.0 million annual amount from 2027 onward.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More grant money for farmers' markets

If enacted, the program's yearly funding cap would rise from $50 million to $100 million. The bill would set funding for FY2019–FY2026 and provide $50 million for FY2027 and each year after, with those amounts remaining available until spent. Each year, 30% of the money made available would be reserved for priority grants to entities that have not received a grant in the past 3 years and will use the funds to start a new farmers' market. The Secretary would be allowed to use reserved funds for other grants if not enough priority applications qualify.

25% match required for most grantees

If enacted, most eligible entities that receive a grant would need to provide matching funds equal to 25% of the federal portion. The match may be cash or in-kind. The 25% match would not apply to eligible entities carrying out priority grants to establish new farmers' markets as described in the program's priority rules.

USDA reports on grants and fraud

If enacted, the Secretary must post a public report on USDA's website not later than three years after enactment. That report would list numbers of grant applications and awards in the prior two years, including counts of first-time applicants and those meeting priority-grant rules. The Inspector General must also post a public report within three years describing any fraud or abuse in the prior two years and the effects of the new matching requirement on program participation.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 7/20/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 7/20/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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