I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 6569 
To improve purchasing of food by the Department of Agriculture, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 4, 2023 
Ms. ADAMS (for herself, Ms. NORTON, Mrs. HAYES, Ms. BROWNLEY, Mrs. 
WATSON COLEMAN, Ms. BARRAGA´N, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. BLUMENAUER, 
and Mr. POCAN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Agriculture 
A BILL 
To improve purchasing of food by the Department of 
Agriculture, and for other purposes. 
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 ‘‘Enabling Farmer, 
Food worker, Environmental, and Climate Targets 
through Innovative, Values-aligned, and Equitable Food 
Procurement Act’’ or the ‘‘EFFECTIVE Food Procure-
ment Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds that the Department of Agriculture, 
as one of the largest food purchasers in the world, has 
the responsibility and opportunity to help spur a more 
just, healthy, and sustainable food system by purchasing 
more foods that support— 
(1) regional and resilient food economies; 
(2) worker well-being; 
(3) a safe and healthy environment; 
(4) equity and inclusion; and 
(5) fairness for family farms, fishing busi-
nesses, and ranches. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) BEGINNING
FARMER, 
FISHERMAN, 
OR 
RANCHER.—The term ‘‘beginning farmer, fisherman, 
or rancher’’ means a person that— 
(A)(i) has not operated a farm, fishing 
business, or ranch; or 
(ii) has operated a farm, fishing business, 
or ranch for not more than 10 years; and 
(B) meets such other criteria as the Sec-
retary may establish. 
(2) COVERED AUTHORITY.—The term ‘‘covered 
authority’’ means— 
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(A) section 32 of the Act of August 24, 
1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c); 
(B) the matter under the heading ‘‘RE-
MOVAL OF SURPLUS AGRICULTURAL COMMOD-
ITIES’’ under the heading ‘‘AGRICULTURAL 
MARKETING SERVICE’’ in title I of Public Law 
88–250 (7 U.S.C. 612c–1); 
(C) section 10603 of the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 
612c–4); 
(D) section 4404 of the Food, Conserva-
tion, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 612c– 
5); 
(E) section 14222 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 
612c–6); and 
(F) any other purchasing authority of the 
Department of Agriculture. 
(3) FISHING
BUSINESS.—The term ‘‘fishing 
business’’ means a business engaged in commercial 
fishing (as defined in section 3 of the Magnuson-Ste-
vens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1802)). 
(4) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ 
means an Indian tribe included on the list published 
by the Secretary of the Interior under section 104 
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of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 
1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131). 
(5) NATIVE ALASKAN.—The term ‘‘Native Alas-
kan’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘Native’’ in 
section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement 
Act (43 U.S.C. 1602). 
(6) NATIVE HAWAIIAN.—The term ‘‘Native Ha-
waiian’’ has the meaning given the term in section 
801 of the Native American Housing Assistance and 
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4221). 
(7) POLICY
TO
LIMIT
DEFORESTATION.—The 
term ‘‘policy to limit deforestation’’ means a policy 
that includes, at a minimum, the following: 
(A) Measures to identify the point of origin 
of forest-risk commodities and ensure compli-
ance with the policy when supply chain risks 
are present. 
(B) Data detailing the complete list of di-
rect and indirect suppliers and supply chain 
traceability information for each forest-risk 
commodity found in products that may be fur-
nished to the Federal Government, including— 
(i) 
refineries, 
processing 
plants, 
farms, and plantations; 
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(ii) the respective owners, parent enti-
ties, and farmers of the entities described 
in clause (i); 
(iii) maps; and 
(iv) geolocations. 
(C) Measures taken to ensure that each 
commodity described in subparagraph (B) does 
not contribute to deforestation. 
(D) Measures taken to ensure the process 
of obtaining the free, prior, and informed con-
sent of indigenous peoples and local commu-
nities directly affected by the production of 
commodities described in subparagraph (B). 
(E) Measures taken to protect biodiversity 
and prevent the poaching of wildlife and trade 
in bushmeat in all operations and areas adja-
cent to the production of commodities described 
in subparagraph (B). 
(F) Measures taken to ensure compliance 
with the laws of countries where forest-risk 
commodities in the supply chain of the con-
tractor are produced. 
(8) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Agriculture. 
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(9) SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMER, FISH-
ERMAN, OR
RANCHER.—The term ‘‘socially dis-
advantaged farmer, fisherman, or rancher’’ means a 
farmer, operator of a fishing business, or rancher 
who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group 
(as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agri-
culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
U.S.C. 2279(a))). 
(10) TRADEOFF PROCESS.—The term ‘‘tradeoff 
process’’ means a tradeoff process described in part 
15.101–1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (or 
a successor regulation). 
(11) 
VETERAN
FARMER, 
FISHERMAN, 
OR 
RANCHER.—The term ‘‘veteran farmer, fisherman, 
or rancher’’ means a farmer, operator of a fishing 
business, or rancher who has served in the Armed 
Forces (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United 
States Code) and who— 
(A) has not operated a farm, fishing busi-
ness, or ranch; 
(B) has operated a farm, fishing business, 
or ranch for not more than 10 years; or 
(C) is a veteran (as defined in that section) 
who has first obtained status as a veteran (as 
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so defined) during the most recent 10-year pe-
riod. 
SEC. 4. EQUITABLE FOOD PROCUREMENT. 
(a) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the requirements 
described in subsection (b) are— 
(1) to strengthen the resilience of the domestic 
food system; 
(2) to create more equitable opportunities for 
small and family farmers, fishermen, and ranchers; 
(3) to expand the choices available to school 
food authorities and food banks participating in the 
commodity procurement programs of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture; and 
(4) to expand workplace protections in the food 
supply chains of the Federal Government. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In the procurement of foods 
under a covered authority, the Secretary shall make avail-
able and purchase a sufficient variety of— 
(1) foods that support equity and inclusion, in-
cluding— 
(A) foods that are produced by or sourced 
from— 
(i) beginning farmers, fishermen, or 
ranchers; 
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(ii) veteran farmers, fishermen, or 
ranchers; or 
(iii) socially disadvantaged farmers, 
fishermen, or ranchers; and 
(B) foods that accommodate people with 
religious or restricted diets; 
(2) foods that support diversified and resilient 
supply chains, including— 
(A) foods that are produced by or sourced 
from small or mid-sized family farms, fishing 
businesses, or ranches; 
(B) foods that are produced by or sourced 
from agricultural cooperatives, producer asso-
ciations, or food hubs that principally work with 
the entities described in subparagraph (A); 
(C) foods that are produced by a certified 
organic farm (as defined in section 2103 of the 
Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 
U.S.C. 6502)); and 
(D) foods that are produced by a farm 
participating in an independent animal welfare 
certification program; 
(3) foods that support worker well-being, in-
cluding— 
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(A) foods that are sourced from vendors 
with employees who are represented by a collec-
tive bargaining agreement or memorandum of 
understanding; 
(B) foods that are sourced from vendors 
participating in a worker justice certification 
program; and 
(C) foods that are sourced from vendors 
that have signed a labor peace agreement with 
a bona fide labor union; and 
(4) foods that mitigate the impacts on climate 
change of the food purchasing by the Department of 
Agriculture, including— 
(A) foods that are produced using agricul-
tural practices that measurably reduce green-
house gas emissions and increase on-farm diver-
sification and resilience to climate impacts, in-
cluding perennial-based systems, crop rotations, 
and pasture-based livestock; 
(B) foods that are sourced from suppliers 
with a policy to limit deforestation; 
(C) foods that emit less greenhouse gas 
emissions throughout the lifecycle of the prod-
uct, relative to nutritionally similar foods; and 
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(D) foods that provide environmental co- 
benefits that increase climate resilience, such 
as— 
(i) improving soil health and water 
quality; 
(ii) increasing biodiversity and water 
conservation; and 
(iii) reducing the spread of invasive 
species. 
(c) BASELINE REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry of the Senate a report that includes— 
(1) the percentage of the total annual spending 
of the Department of Agriculture spent on pur-
chasing foods in each category of foods listed in 
paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b), includ-
ing a record of each purchase the Department made 
under each category that lists— 
(A) the name of each supplier, distributor, 
processor, and producer involved in the provi-
sion of the food product; 
(B) the total contract obligation; and 
(C) a description of the food purchased; 
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(2) an estimate, developed in consultation with 
the Environmental Protection Agency, of the green-
house gas emissions associated with food purchasing 
by the Department of Agriculture; 
(3) targets to increase by calendar year 2032, 
to the maximum extent practicable, the percentage 
of the annual food spending by the Department of 
Agriculture in each category of food listed in para-
graphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b); 
(4) a target to reduce by calendar year 2032, 
to the maximum extent practicable, the greenhouse 
gas emissions associated with the annual food pur-
chasing by the Department of Agriculture relative to 
calendar year 2024, in accordance with the procure-
ment-related targets established by Executive Order 
14057 (42 U.S.C. 4321 note; relating to catalyzing 
clean energy industries and jobs through Federal 
sustainability); and 
(5) any recommendations— 
(A) to enhance supply chain transparency, 
particularly for school food authorities that par-
ticipate in any Department of Agriculture foods 
program; 
(B) to restructure the commodity food pro-
curement programs of the Department of Agri-
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culture to support a regional model with in-
creased local food purchasing, including rec-
ommendations for continuing and improving on 
the Local Food Purchase Assistance Coopera-
tive Agreement Program; or 
(C) to increase procurement of foods listed 
in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b), 
including any recommendations that would re-
quire new authority from Congress. 
(d) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, and each year there-
after, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ag-
riculture of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Sen-
ate a report that includes— 
(1) the percentage of the total annual spending 
of the Department of Agriculture spent on pur-
chasing foods in each category of foods listed in 
paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b) during 
the previous fiscal year; 
(2) the names of all suppliers, distributors, 
processors, and producers involved in the provision 
of all foods purchased under a covered authority 
during the previous fiscal year; and 
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(3) an estimate of the greenhouse gas emissions 
associated with food purchasing by the Department 
of Agriculture during the previous fiscal year. 
SEC. 5. BEST VALUE PROCUREMENT PILOT PROGRAM; 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; GRANTS. 
(a) BEST VALUE PROCUREMENT PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish 
and carry out a pilot program that uses a tradeoff 
process to select bids for food procurement contracts 
that deliver the overall best value and target pur-
chases under covered authorities of foods listed in 
paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 4(b), using 
evaluation criteria established under paragraph (2). 
(2) ESTABLISHMENT
OF
EVALUATION
CRI-
TERIA.—The Secretary shall establish the evaluation 
criteria described in paragraph (1)— 
(A) after providing notice and an oppor-
tunity for public comment; and 
(B) by providing opportunities for engage-
ment with— 
(i) beginning farmers, fishermen, and 
ranchers; 
(ii) veteran farmers, fishermen, and 
ranchers; 
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(iii) socially disadvantaged farmers, 
fishermen, and ranchers; 
(iv) small and mid-sized farms, fishing 
businesses, and ranches; 
(v) individuals who follow religious or 
restricted diets; 
(vi) Indian Tribes; 
(vii) Native Hawaiians; 
(viii) Native Alaskans; 
(ix) workers in the food system, in-
cluding workers employed on farms, in 
food processing facilities and warehouses, 
and in food transportation; and 
(x) entities that use commodity pro-
grams of the Department of Agriculture, 
including child nutrition providers and 
food banks. 
(3) REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary shall annu-
ally select bids under the pilot program established 
under this subsection in an amount that is not less 
than 20 percent of the annual food spending of the 
Department of Agriculture under the covered au-
thorities. 
(4) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later than 
January 1, 2025, and each year thereafter through-
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out the duration of the pilot program under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives a report describing the 
progress of the Secretary in implementing the pilot 
program, including— 
(A) the number of bid solicitations selected 
under the pilot program; 
(B) the total amount spent by the Depart-
ment of Agriculture on purchases made through 
the pilot program; 
(C) a description of the evaluation criteria 
established under paragraph (2); and 
(D) an evaluation of the solicitation proc-
ess used for the pilot program that includes 
input from vendors. 
(5) TERMINATION.—The pilot program estab-
lished under this subsection shall terminate on the 
date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) PARTICIPATION
IN
PROCUREMENT
PRO-
GRAMS.—The Secretary shall provide technical as-
sistance to support equitable participation in the 
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procurement programs of the Department of Agri-
culture, including technical assistance in obtaining 
necessary food safety training or certification, to— 
(A) beginning farmers, fishermen, and 
ranchers; 
(B) veteran farmers, fishermen, and ranch-
ers; 
(C) socially disadvantaged farmers, fisher-
men, and ranchers; and 
(D) small and mid-sized farms, fishing 
businesses, and ranches. 
(2) SMALL
BUSINESS
CERTIFICATION.—The 
Secretary shall coordinate with the Administrator of 
the Small Business Administration to provide tech-
nical assistance in becoming certified as eligible for 
the award of contracts pursuant to section 8(a) of 
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)) to— 
(A) beginning farmers, fishermen, and 
ranchers; 
(B) veteran farmers, fishermen, and ranch-
ers; 
(C) socially disadvantaged farmers, fisher-
men, and ranchers; and 
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(D) small and mid-sized farms, ranches, 
and fishing businesses that are structured as 
family farms. 
(c) GRANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish 
a competitive grant program to assist eligible appli-
cants described in paragraph (5) in participating in 
the procurement programs of the Department of Ag-
riculture. 
(2) TERM.—The term of a grant awarded 
under this subsection shall be not more than 3 
years. 
(3) USE OF FUNDS.—A grant awarded under 
this subsection may be used for any of the following 
activities: 
(A) To make upgrades necessary to obtain 
food safety accreditations and audits required 
to become a vendor for the Department of Agri-
culture. 
(B) To pay for the cost of a food safety ac-
creditation and audit. 
(C) To purchase liability insurance. 
(D) To develop and execute a food safety 
plan. 
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(4) DISTRIBUTION.—The Secretary shall ensure 
geographic diversity in grants awarded under this 
subsection. 
(5) ELIGIBILITY.—Applicants eligible for grants 
under this subsection are— 
(A) beginning farmers, fishermen, and 
ranchers; 
(B) veteran farmers, fishermen, and ranch-
ers; 
(C) socially disadvantaged farmers, fisher-
men, and ranchers; 
(D) small and mid-sized farms, fishing 
businesses, and ranches; 
(E) agricultural cooperatives, fishing co-
operatives, and producer associations composed 
of the individuals or entities described in any of 
subparagraphs (A) through (D); and 
(F) food hubs that work with the individ-
uals or entities described in any of subpara-
graphs (A) through (D). 
(6) MAXIMUM GRANT AMOUNT.—No eligible ap-
plicant described in paragraph (5) may receive more 
than $100,000 in grants under this subsection. 
(7) REPORTS.— 
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(A) RECIPIENTS.—Not later than 1 year 
after receiving a grant under this subsection, 
and annually thereafter for the period of the 
grant term, a recipient of a grant under this 
subsection shall submit to the Secretary a re-
port describing— 
(i) how the recipient used the funds; 
and 
(ii) the progress of the recipient to-
ward becoming a vendor, as described in 
paragraph (3)(A), if applicable. 
(B) SECRETARY.—Not later than January 
1, 2025, and each year thereafter in which the 
term of a grant under this subsection is ongo-
ing, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
of the Senate and the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives a re-
port containing a list of the recipients of the 
grants, including a summary of— 
(i) how the recipients used the funds; 
and 
(ii) the recipients that have become 
vendors, as described in paragraph (3)(A), 
if applicable. 
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(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$25,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, to remain available 
through fiscal year 2030. 
Æ 
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