I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 6776 
To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 with respect to the use of 
cash-value benefits and coupons for purchases of fresh, nutritious, unpre-
pared foods from community supported agricultural entities, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 17, 2025 
Ms. UNDERWOOD (for herself and Mr. VAN DREW) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 
and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be sub-
sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of 
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 with respect 
to the use of cash-value benefits and coupons for pur-
chases of fresh, nutritious, unprepared foods from com-
munity supported agricultural entities, and for other pur-
poses. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Farmers to Families 
Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:59 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6776.IH
H6776
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. USE OF CASH-VALUE BENEFITS AND COUPONS FOR 
CERTAIN LOCAL FOODS. 
The Child Nutrition Act of 1966 is amended by in-
serting after section 17 (42 U.S.C. 1786) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 18. USE OF CASH-VALUE BENEFITS AND COUPONS 
FOR CERTAIN LOCAL FOODS. 
‘‘(a) PURCHASES OF CERTAIN LOCAL FOODS.—Not 
later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of 
this section, the Secretary shall allow cash-value benefit 
funds and coupon funds to be used by participants and 
recipients to purchase fresh, local, nutritious, unprepared 
foods, including pre-order boxes of such foods, from a cov-
ered agricultural entity. 
‘‘(b) SINGLE EBT ACCESS DEVICE FOR CASH-VALUE 
BENEFITS AND COUPON FUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of this section, a 
State agency— 
‘‘(A) shall provide cash-value benefit funds 
and coupon funds through the electronic bene-
fits transfer system of such State established 
pursuant to section 17(h)(12); 
‘‘(B) shall ensure such coupon funds can 
be accessed through the electronic benefits 
transfer access device provided to participants 
pursuant to section 17(h)(12); and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:59 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6776.IH
H6776
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(C) may provide different payment mech-
anisms on such access device that separate the 
funds stored on such access device based on if 
the funds are cash-value benefit funds or cou-
pon funds. 
‘‘(2) PROCESSING OF PAYMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A State agency shall 
require a community supported agricultural en-
tity to use a qualified payment device from the 
list established pursuant to subparagraph (B)(i) 
to accept payments from an electronic benefits 
transfer access device described in paragraph 
(1)(A). 
‘‘(B) QUALIFIED PAYMENT DEVICE.— 
‘‘(i) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 
18 months after the date of the enactment 
of this section, the Secretary shall issue 
regulations establishing a list of payment 
devices that the Secretary determines to be 
qualified payment devices for the purposes 
of subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(ii) CRITERIA.—In issuing regula-
tions under clause (i), the Secretary shall 
ensure that each payment device included 
on the list established pursuant to clause 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:59 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6776.IH
H6776
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(i) is a singular device that can accept and 
process, without requiring an additional 
device, payments from an electronic bene-
fits transfer access device described in 
paragraph 
(1)(A), 
including 
payments 
from cash-value benefit funds and coupon 
funds stored on such card. 
‘‘(iii) UPDATES.—The Secretary shall 
review and update on a regular basis the 
regulations issued under clause (i). 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) CASH-VALUE BENEFIT.—The term ‘cash- 
value benefit’ has the meaning given the term ‘cash- 
value voucher’ in section 246.2 of title 7, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). 
‘‘(2) COVERED
AGRICULTURAL
ENTITY.—The 
term ‘covered agricultural entity’ means— 
‘‘(A) any food hub, farmers’ market, or 
other distributor that markets local food from 
farmers to consumers; 
‘‘(B) a community supported agriculture 
program (as such term is defined in section 
249.2 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations 
(or successor regulations)); or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:59 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6776.IH
H6776
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(C) a farmer (as such term is defined in 
section 249.2 of title 7, Code of Federal Regu-
lations (or successor regulations)). 
‘‘(3) COUPON.—The term ‘coupon’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 17(m)(10). 
‘‘(4) PARTICIPANT.—The term ‘participant’ 
means a participant in the supplemental nutrition 
program for women, infants, and children under sec-
tion 17. 
‘‘(5) RECIPIENT.—The term ‘recipient’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 17(m)(10). 
‘‘(6) STATE AGENCY.—The term ‘State agency’ 
means a State agency (as defined in subsection (b) 
of section 17) that administers a program pursuant 
to a grant under subsection (m) of such section.’’. 
SEC. 3. FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WIC 
PARTICIPANTS. 
(a) INCLUSION OF COVERED AGRICULTURAL ENTI-
TIES.—Section 17(m)(1) of the Child Nutrition Act of 
1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(m)(1)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘foods at farmers’ markets and 
(at the option of a State) roadside stands, as defined 
in the State plans submitted under this subsection’’ 
and inserting ‘‘foods, at—’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:59 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6776.IH
H6776
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) farmers’ markets, as defined in the State 
plans submitted under this subsection; 
‘‘(B) roadside stands, as defined in the State 
plans submitted under this subsection; and 
‘‘(C) in accordance with section 18(a), covered 
agricultural entities (as such term is defined in sec-
tion 18(c)).’’. 
(b) AUTOMATIC STREAMLINE OF BENEFITS.—Sec-
tion 17(m)(5) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 
U.S.C. 1786(m)(5)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(H) That each farmer (as such term is 
defined in section 249.2 of title 7, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations (or successor regulations)) is 
automatically authorized as a covered agricul-
tural entity (as such term is defined in section 
18(c)) for purposes of this subsection.’’. 
SEC. 4. WIC ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall include 
on a publicly available website of the Department of Agri-
culture— 
(1) a single application portal for producers to 
be— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:59 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6776.IH
H6776
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
SEC. 5. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR FARMERS’ 
MARKET OPERATORS AND FARMERS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Agriculture shall— 
(1) establish a Technical Assistance Center for 
farmers’ market operators and farmers (in this sec-
tion referred to as the ‘‘Center’’); and 
(2) to the extent practicable, consult on the de-
sign and scope of the Center with farmers, farmers’ 
market managers, State agencies, and community 
organizations with experience in implementation of 
Federal nutrition benefits. 
(b) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) SELECTION PROCESS.—To carry out the ac-
tivities of the Center under subsection (c), the Sec-
retary shall seek to enter into a cooperative agree-
ment, on a competitive basis, with an eligible entity. 
(2) APPLICATION.—An eligible entity seeking to 
enter into a cooperative agreement shall submit to 
the Secretary an application at such time, in such 
manner, and containing such information as the Sec-
retary may require. 
(3) PANEL REVIEW.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:59 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6776.IH
H6776
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall establish a panel— 
(i) to review applications submitted to 
the Secretary under paragraph (2); and 
(ii) to make recommendations to the 
Secretary with respect to selecting an eligi-
ble entity under paragraph (1) in accord-
ance with subparagraph (C). 
(B) MEMBERS.—The panel established 
under subparagraph (A) shall include at least— 
(i) 1 member with experience as a 
farmers’ market manager; and 
(ii) 1 member with experience pro-
viding technical assistance to farmers re-
garding accepting Federal nutrition bene-
fits. 
(C) SELECTION CRITERIA.—The panel es-
tablished under subparagraph (A) shall only 
recommend eligible entities to the Secretary 
with respect to selecting an eligible entity under 
paragraph (1) that the panel has determined to 
possess expertise in providing training and tech-
nical assistance to farmers’ markets and farm-
ers regarding Federal nutrition programs. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:59 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6776.IH
H6776
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(4) PRIORITY.—In selecting an eligible entity 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give pri-
ority to an eligible entity that— 
(A) has experience engaging with Federal 
nutrition programs administered by the Depart-
ment, such as FMNP, WIC, or other nutrition 
incentive programs; and 
(B) has a history of effectively serving 
small and mid-sized farms, local agriculture, 
and underserved communities. 
(5) ELIGIBLE ENTITY DEFINED.—For purposes 
of this subsection, the term ‘‘eligible entity’’ 
means— 
(A) a nonprofit organization; 
(B) an institution of higher education; 
(C) a cooperative extension service; 
(D) a regional food system network; or 
(E) any other entity with demonstrated ca-
pacity to carry out the activities described in 
subsection (c), as determined by the Secretary. 
(c) ACTIVITIES.—The Center shall provide services 
related to the programs under section 17 of the Child Nu-
trition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(m)) and section 18 
of such Act, as added by this Act, including— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:59 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6776.IH
H6776
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(1) assisting farmers and farmers’ market oper-
ators with understanding and complying with eligi-
bility, application, and authorization requirements— 
(A) under the supplemental nutrition as-
sistance program established under the Food 
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et 
seq.); 
(B) under the FMNP; 
(C) under the SFMNP; and 
(D) for accepting cash-value benefits; 
(2) providing training to farmers’ market man-
agers and local farm vendors on how to accept elec-
tronic benefits transfer payments from recipients 
and participants of such programs, including guid-
ance on the use of qualified payment devices author-
ized by the Secretary under section 18(b)(2)(B) of 
such Act, as added by this Act; 
(3) creating, maintaining, and distributing re-
sources and best practices for the acceptance and 
administration of nutrition benefits in farmers’ mar-
ket settings; 
(4) sharing implementation information with 
State agencies, local agencies, stakeholders and 
other technical assistance providers in a timely man-
ner; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:59 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6776.IH
H6776
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(5) collecting and analyzing information on re-
lated program outcomes. 
(d) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually there-
after, the Center shall submit to the Secretary and rel-
evant congressional committees a report that— 
(1) summarizes the activities of the Center, in-
cluding the information collected pursuant to sub-
section (c)(5); and 
(2) makes recommendations on how to encour-
age farmers and farmers’ markets to engage with 
programs under section 17(m) of the Child Nutrition 
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(m)) and section 18 of 
such Act, as added by this Act. 
SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) CASH-VALUE BENEFIT.—The term ‘‘cash- 
value benefit’’ has the meaning given the term 
‘‘cash-value voucher’’ in section 246.2 of title 7, 
Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regula-
tions). 
(2) COOPERATIVE
EXTENSION
SERVICE.—The 
term ‘‘cooperative extension service’’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 1404 of the Food and 
Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:59 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6776.IH
H6776
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(3) COVERED
AGRICULTURAL
ENTITY.—The 
term ‘‘covered agricultural entity’’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 18 of the Child Nutrition 
Act of 1966, as added by this Act. 
(4) FARMER.—The term ‘‘farmer’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 249.2 of title 7, 
Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regula-
tions). 
(5) FMNP.—The term ‘‘FMNP’’ means the 
farmers’ market nutrition program for WIC partici-
pants under section 17(m) of the Child Nutrition 
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(m)). 
(6) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 101 of the High-
er Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
(7) SFMNP.—The term ‘‘SFMNP’’ means the 
senior farmers’ market nutrition program under sec-
tion 4402 of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007). 
(8) WIC.—The term ‘‘WIC’’ means the special 
supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, 
and children under section 17 of the Child Nutrition 
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:59 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6776.IH
H6776
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(9) WIC TERMS.—The terms ‘‘State agency’’ 
and ‘‘local agency’’ have the meanings given the 
terms, respectively, in section 17 of the Child Nutri-
tion Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786). 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:59 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H6776.IH
H6776
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS