Farm Fresh Food for Families Act of 2023

To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to modernize the farmers' market nutrition program under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Farm Fresh Food for Families Act of 2023 2. WIC Farmers' market nutrition program (a) In general Section 17(m) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1786(m) (1) by striking coupon food instrument (2) by striking coupons food instruments (3) by striking (m)(1) Subject to (m) Farmers' market nutrition program (1) In general Subject to ; (4) in paragraph (1), by striking markets roadside stands markets, roadside stands (at the option of a State), and community supported agriculture programs (at the option of a State) (5) by striking paragraph (3); (6) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (10) as paragraphs (3) through (9), respectively, and indenting the paragraphs, and the subparagraphs, clauses, and subclauses within those paragraphs, in accordance with the margin of paragraph (1) (as so amended); (7) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking (4) Each State (4) Program requirements Each State ; (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking funds— funds provided under the grant. (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking be— be less than $20 per year. (D) in subparagraph (E)— (i) in clause (i), by inserting , farmers’ markets, and community supported agriculture programs producers (ii) in clause (ii), by striking only to purchase (I) for a scrip, as defined by the Secretary, to exchange for fresh nutritious unprepared foods for human consumption; or (II) to purchase ; and (E) in subparagraph (F)— (i) in clause (ii)— (I) by striking 2 percent 3 percent (II) by inserting , including efforts to develop efficient and appropriate electronic benefit systems, technical assistance (ii) in clause (iii), by striking contribute contribute. (8) in paragraph (5)(B)(i) (as so redesignated), by striking if a State provides the amount of matching funds required under paragraph (3), the a (9) in paragraph (8)(A) (as so redesignated), by striking 2015 2029 (10) in paragraph (9) (as so redesignated)— (A) by striking subparagraph (A); (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively; (C) by inserting before subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated) the following: (A) Community supported agriculture program The term community supported agriculture program (i) a farmer or group of farmers grows food for a group of shareholders or subscribers, who pledge to buy a portion of the 1 or more crops grown by the farmer or group for that season; and (ii) a State agency may purchase shares or subscribe to the community supported agriculture program on behalf of individual farmers' market nutrition program participants. (B) Food instrument The term food instrument ; and (D) in each of subparagraphs (C) through (E) (as so redesignated), by inserting after the subparagraph designation a heading, the text of which comprises the term defined in that subparagraph. (b) Technical and conforming amendments Section 17(m) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1786(m) (1) by striking paragraph (6) paragraph (5) (2) in paragraph (5) (as redesignated by subsection (a)(6))— (A) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking paragraph (10) paragraph (8) (B) in subparagraph (C)(iv), by striking subparagraph (G)(i) subparagraph (F)(i) (C) in subparagraph (D)(ii)(II), by striking paragraph (5) paragraph (4) (D) in subparagraph (F)(iii), by striking paragraph (10)(B)(ii) paragraph (8)(B)(ii)

Summary: Farm Fresh Food for Families Act of 2023 This bill expands the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP) to include community supported agriculture (CSA) programs and makes further changes to the program. The program awards grants for states to provide vouchers and coupons that participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may use to purchase fresh produce at approved venues (e.g., farmers' markets). The bill adds CSA programs to WIC FMNP, which currently may include farmers' markets and roadside stands. (Under a CSA program, farmers grow food for a group of shareholders or subscribers who pledge to buy a portion of the crops grown for that season; a state agency may purchase shares or subscribe to the CSA program on behalf of individual WIC FMNP participants.) The bill also reauthorizes WIC FMNP through FY2029 and increases the federal share of benefits a recipient may receive under the program. Specifically, the bill raises the annual minimum benefit to $20 (currently set at $10) and removes the annual cap on benefits. Further, the bill removes a requirement for states to provide matching funds that are equal to at least 30% of the administrative costs of the program.