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Bill

HR 9474

To amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Local Foods for Healthy Schools Program.

119th Congress Introduced by Kristen McDonald Rivet and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a Local Foods for Healthy Schools Program to boost procurement of locally produced foods for school meals and support regional farmers.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9474

Overview

HR 9474, introduced in the 119th Congress and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, seeks to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Local Foods for Healthy Schools Program. The bill has two co-sponsors: Kristen McDonald Rivet and G.T. Thompson.

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a federal program named the Local Foods for Healthy Schools Program under the auspices of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.
  • The primary aim is to increase the procurement and use of local foods in schools, thereby supporting student nutrition, local agriculture, and regional food systems.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of a new program: The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Local Foods for Healthy Schools Program.
  • Program objectives (as implied by the bill’s title and fiscal/administrative structure):
    • Increase access to locally produced agricultural products in school meal programs.
    • Encourage regional supply chains and farmer participation in school nutrition procurement.
    • Possibly provide guidance, standards, or assistance to schools and local producers to facilitate procurement of local foods.
  • Implementation authority:
    • The Secretary would design and administer the program, including the rules, criteria for eligibility, and processes to identify local products and participating schools.
  • Coordination and outreach:
    • Likely to involve collaboration with state and local education agencies, school districts, and local farmers or cooperatives to streamline procurement.

Note: The exact statutory text, eligibility criteria, funding levels, and oversight mechanisms are not provided in the summary. The bill’s details would specify how “local” is defined (geographic radius or community definition), funding sources, grant or pilot structures, reporting requirements, and any required compliance with federal nutrition standards.

Impact and who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries:
    • School districts and K-12 schools participating in federal meal programs who would gain access to locally sourced food options.
    • Local and regional farmers, ranchers, and producers who participate in school food procurement.
  • Secondary effects:
    • Potential improvements in child nutrition through fresh, locally sourced meals.
    • Economic support for local agricultural communities and increased market opportunities.
    • Possible development of local supply chains, with associated capacity-building and infrastructure needs (storage, processing, transportation).
  • Administrative impact:
    • The Department of Agriculture would administer and oversee the program, including program design, eligibility criteria, and reporting.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (as of the action history).
  • Legislative process: After committee consideration, the bill would need to pass the House (and companion action in the Senate, if applicable) and receive presidential enactment.
  • Timing considerations:
    • The bill outlines a new program, which would require funding appropriations or authorizations to operate.
    • Implementation timelines (e.g., start date for program, pilot periods, grant cycles) would be defined in the bill’s text and subsequent agency guidance.

Summary takeaway

HR 9474 proposes federal authority to create a Local Foods for Healthy Schools Program within the Agricultural Marketing Act framework, aiming to boost local agricultural procurement for school meals, support local producers, and strengthen regional food systems. Details on funding, definitions of “local,” eligibility, and implementation would be provided in the bill’s text and any accompanying committee reports.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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