Farmers’ Market Local Revitalization Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced
Summary
Scales up and modernizes farmers' market nutrition programs. The bill boosts benefits and funding for senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs and updates the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) farmers' market grants to expand access, equity, and electronic payment options.
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- Seniors and low-income older adults get a higher minimum benefit of $35 and no maximum cap, more flexible State eligibility rules, and the option to redeem up to 50 percent of benefits through approved aggregators like CSAs, food hubs, and home delivery.
- Farmers, markets, and local food systems gain bigger, steadier funding and capacity support with authorized appropriations of $75 million per year plus an additional $25 million per year for related activities for 2027–2031, and up to $25 million per year for technical assistance and infrastructure.
- States, territories, and Indian Tribes face new allocation rules that reserve at least 10 percent of funds for nonparticipants, add hold-harmless protections during formula changes, and align WIC FMNP grants and mandatory funding with interoperability across SNAP and nutrition incentive programs.
*This bill increases federal spending by authorizing about $100 million per year for senior FMNP activities plus up to $25 million per year for technical assistance and adds mandatory funding for WIC FMNP.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More farmers market help for seniors
If enacted, the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program would get $75 million per year from 2027 through 2031 and $25 million per year for benefit enhancements. The bill would raise the minimum individual senior benefit to $35 and remove the program's individual maximum benefit limit. States could let participants redeem up to 50% of benefits through approved aggregators, including home delivery, and use electronic or mobile payments that work with SNAP and WIC FMNP. The Secretary would set a new allocation formula within one year, with initial funds sent based on seniors at or under 200% of the Federal poverty line, a 10% hold‑harmless on benefit cuts for the first two years, and at least 10% of funds reserved for jurisdictions that did not participate last year.
Higher farmers market coupons for WIC
If enacted, WIC farmers market coupon amounts would increase where a $10 coupon would become $35 and a $30 coupon would become $60. The bill would provide $30 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the program and allow States to add State, local, or private funds if they choose. A State could use up to 10% of program funds for technology modernization only if those funds are not needed to keep caseloads or participant benefits the same.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov