Fresh Bucks for Fresh Produce Act
Sponsored By: Representative Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
Introduced
Summary
Monthly produce payments for low-income households. This bill would create a Fresh Bucks Pilot that gives States grants to provide $60 per month for qualifying fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and plant starts to eligible households and to study outcomes.
Show full summary
- Families and households: Eligible households with income at or below 80% of area median income could receive $60 monthly to buy qualifying produce. SNAP households are deemed income-eligible and States must minimize extra paperwork.
- States: States could get grants to run the program and pay for administration, EBT systems, outreach, and retailer support. The Secretary would favor applications serving food-insecure communities and award at least one grant in each of five regions.
- Retailers: Eligible retailers include farmers markets, independent grocers, farm stands, and supermarkets. States must provide technical assistance and can use EBT or existing disbursement methods for payments.
- Evidence and reporting: The Secretary of Agriculture would collect data on food security, fruit and vegetable consumption, payment use, access barriers, and more. An initial report would be due 6 to 12 months after enactment and a final report with a feasibility recommendation would be due within 5 years.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Monthly $60 produce payments
If enacted, States that get Fresh Bucks grants would make recurring $60 payments to each eligible household every month. Each payment would be usable during a 30-day period and must supplement, not replace, other benefits. Households with income at or below 80% of area median income would be eligible. SNAP households would be deemed income-eligible and States must offer opt-in or auto-enrollment with minimal extra paperwork. States would issue payments using EBT or similar electronic systems and must use a short, mobile-friendly one-per-household application and churn-reduction measures.
New Fresh Bucks pilot program
This bill would require the Agriculture Department to start a five-year Fresh Bucks Pilot Program. The Department would give grants to States to run monthly produce-payment programs. Grants could pay for state setup, staff, retailer support, and required data collection. The pilot would end five years after enactment.
State grants and retailer rules
This bill would require States applying for Fresh Bucks grants to submit plans to reach low-access and food-insecure areas and to expand retailer participation, for example with mobile markets or delivery. The Agriculture Department would publish how it scores applications and prefer plans that prioritize food-insecure communities. The Department would ensure at least one grant in each of five regions. The bill would also define eligible retailers (farmers markets, independent grocers, farm stands, supermarkets, and others) and qualifying foods (fresh, frozen, or dried fruits and vegetables with no added fat, sugar, or salt, plus herbs and plant starts). The bill would treat a person under 18 attending higher education as part of their parents' household.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]
NC • D
Sponsored 7/2/2026
Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/2/2026
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 7/2/2026
Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
AL • D
Sponsored 7/2/2026
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 7/2/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 7/2/2026
Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]
OR • D
Sponsored 7/2/2026
Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]
WA • D
Sponsored 7/2/2026
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 7/2/2026
Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6]
WA • D
Sponsored 7/13/2026
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov