Title: Local FARMS Act
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
Local Food And Regional Market Supply Act or the Local FARMS Act
This bill consolidates, modifies, and authorizes several Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs to expand regional or local food markets and implement food safety practices.
The bill authorizes and provides mandatory funding for a new Agricultural Market Development Program that is administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and consolidates:
The bill modifies the Food Safety Outreach Program to move the program to the AMS, provide mandatory funding, and expand the project priorities.
The bill also:
The bill modifies the Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program to: (1) require the majority of funds to be reserved for national or regional programs involving multiple states, and (2) expand the purposes of the program to include food waste reduction.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3941 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3941

To improve food safety, to encourage greater production of agricultural 
 commodities for use in the locality in which produced, to reauthorize 
and expand Department of Agriculture support of these efforts, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 4, 2017

Ms. Pingree (for herself, Mr. Fortenberry, and Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney 
 of New York) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education 
 and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To improve food safety, to encourage greater production of agricultural 
 commodities for use in the locality in which produced, to reauthorize 
and expand Department of Agriculture support of these efforts, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Local Food And 
Regional Market Supply Act'' or the ``Local FARMS Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Agricultural market development program.
Sec. 3. Food safety outreach program.
Sec. 4. Food safety cost-share program.
Sec. 5. National organic certification cost-share program.
Sec. 6. Livestock, dairy, and poultry supply chain infrastructure 
                            grants and loans.
Sec. 7. Geographic preference and identification for school food.
Sec. 8. Harvesting health program.
Sec. 9. Extension of, expansion of, and additional funding for, seniors 
                            farmers' market nutrition program.
Sec. 10. Food and agriculture service learning program.

SEC. 2. AGRICULTURAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to combine the purposes 
and coordinate the functions of--
            (1) the Farmers' Market and Local Food Promotion Program 
        established under section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct 
        Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005); and
            (2) the value-added agricultural product market development 
        grants under section 231(b) of the Agricultural Risk Protection 
        Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(b)).
    (b) Agricultural Market Development Program.--Subtitle A of the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 3. AGRICULTURAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Beginning farmer or rancher.--The term `beginning 
        farmer or rancher' has the meaning given the term in section 
        343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
        U.S.C. 1991(a)).
            ``(2) Direct producer-to-consumer marketing.--The term 
        `direct producer-to-consumer marketing' has the meaning given 
        the term `direct marketing from farmers to consumers' in 
        section 3 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 
        1976 (7 U.S.C. 3002).
            ``(3) Eligible activity.--The term `eligible activity' 
        means an activity described in subsection (d)(2) that is 
        carried out using a grant provided under subsection (d)(1).
            ``(4) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
                    ``(A) an independent producer;
                    ``(B) an agricultural producer group, network, or 
                association, including a community supported 
                agriculture network or association;
                    ``(C) a farmer or rancher cooperative, other 
                agricultural business entity, or majority-controlled 
                producer-based business venture;
                    ``(D) a food council;
                    ``(E) a State or local government;
                    ``(F) a Tribal government or Tribal government 
                agency;
                    ``(G) a nonprofit corporation;
                    ``(H) an institution of higher education;
                    ``(I) a public benefit corporation;
                    ``(J) an economic development corporation;
                    ``(K) a regional farmers' market authority; and
                    ``(L) another entity, as determined by the 
                Secretary.
            ``(5) Eligible partner.--The term `eligible partner' 
        means--
                    ``(A) a State agency or regional authority;
                    ``(B) a philanthropic organization;
                    ``(C) a private corporation;
                    ``(D) a commercial, Federal, or Farm Credit System 
                lending institution;
                    ``(E) a community development financial 
                institution; and
                    ``(F) another entity, as determined by the 
                Secretary.
            ``(6) Family farm.--The term `family farm' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 231(a) of the Agricultural Risk 
        Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(a)).
            ``(7) Food council.--The term `food council' means a food 
        policy council or food and farm system network that--
                    ``(A) represents multiple organizations; and
                    ``(B) addresses food and farm-related issues and 
                needs within city, county, State, Tribal region, 
                multicounty region, or other region designated by the 
                food council or food system network.
            ``(8) Independent producer.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `independent producer' 
                means an agricultural producer who owns and controls 
                the agricultural product produced.
                    ``(B) Inclusion.--The term `independent producer' 
                includes a legal entity solely owned and controlled by 
                agricultural producers if the entity owns a majority 
                ownership interest in the agricultural operation of the 
                entity and a significant share of the agricultural 
                product produced.
            ``(9) Majority-controlled producer-based business 
        venture.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `majority-controlled 
                producer-based business venture' means a venture 
                greater than 50 percent of the ownership and control of 
                which is held by--
                            ``(i) 1 or more independent producers; or
                            ``(ii) an entity or a group of entities 
                        described in subparagraph (B), 100 percent of 
                        the ownership and control of which is held by 1 
                        or more independent producers.
                    ``(B) Entity described.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), the term `entity' means--
                            ``(i) a partnership;
                            ``(ii) a limited liability corporation;
                            ``(iii) a limited liability partnership;
                            ``(iv) a corporation; and
                            ``(v) a cooperative.
            ``(10) Mid-tier value chain.--The term `mid-tier value 
        chain' has the meaning given the term in section 231(a) of the 
        Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(a)).
            ``(11) Partnership agreement.--The term `partnership 
        agreement' means an agreement entered into under subsection 
        (c).
            ``(12) Program.--The term `Program' means the Agricultural 
        Market Development Program established under subsection (b).
            ``(13) Regional food chain coordination.--The term 
        `regional food chain coordination' means coordination and 
        collaboration along the supply chain, including activities 
        that--
                    ``(A) identify and organize local food producers 
                and entrepreneurs into entities that are able to 
                deliver local and regional food products into local 
                markets;
                    ``(B) provide market matchmaker services by 
                identifying and connecting key stakeholders through 
                referral services and other forms of short-term 
                engagement;
                    ``(C) convene stakeholders and facilitate 
                relationship-building across the food value chain by--
                            ``(i) engaging key stakeholders;
                            ``(ii) maintaining communication channels; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) fostering a trusting environment;
                    ``(D) work with supply chain members to build 
                capacity through education and training programs for--
                            ``(i) business development practices;
                            ``(ii) marketing and branding; and
                            ``(iii) other similar activities;
                    ``(E) identify and work to remove barriers to the 
                movement of local and regional food products into the 
                marketplace;
                    ``(F) increase awareness about procurement 
                requirements (such as bidding procedures and preferred-
                vender practices) that may impede the ability of the 
                food chain to access certain marketing channels;
                    ``(G) provide technical assistance to producers and 
                enterprises in the preparation of grant and loan 
                applications; and
                    ``(H) coordinate with State and local government 
                agencies to enhance supply chain coordination and build 
                on existing efforts to develop regional food systems.
            ``(14) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture.
            ``(15) Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.--The term 
        `socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and 
        Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)).
            ``(16) Value-added agricultural product.--The term `value-
        added agricultural product' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 231(a) of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 
        (7 U.S.C. 1632a(a)).
            ``(17) Veteran farmer or rancher.--The term `veteran farmer 
        or rancher' has the meaning given the term in section 2501(e) 
        of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
        (7 U.S.C. 2279(e)).
    ``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a program, to 
be known as the `Agricultural Market Development Program', that--
            ``(1) streamlines existing programs and operations to more 
        efficiently and effectively support the development, 
        coordination, and expansion of--
                    ``(A) direct producer-to-consumer marketing;
                    ``(B) local and regional food markets and 
                enterprises; and
                    ``(C) value-added agricultural products;
            ``(2) connects and cultivates regional food economies 
        through public-private partnerships;
            ``(3) supports the development of business plans, 
        feasibility studies, and strategies for local and regional 
        marketing opportunities;
            ``(4) strengthens capacity and regional food system 
        development through community collaboration and expansion of 
        mid-tier value chains;
            ``(5) improves income and economic opportunities for 
        producers and food businesses through job creation and improved 
        regional food system infrastructure; and
            ``(6) simplifies the application processes and the 
        reporting processes for the Program.
    ``(c) Regional Partnerships.--
            ``(1) Partnership agreements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, in accordance 
                with the purposes of the Program described in 
                subsection (b), may enter into 1 or more partnership 
                agreements to plan and develop a regional food system 
                by supporting eligible activities.
                    ``(B) Parties to partnership agreements.--The 
                Secretary shall enter into a partnership agreement 
                with--
                            ``(i) 1 or more eligible partners; and
                            ``(ii) 1 or more eligible entities.
                    ``(C) Geographic diversity.--To the maximum extent 
                practicable, the Secretary shall ensure geographic 
                diversity in selecting partnership agreements.
            ``(2) Length of agreement.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), a partnership agreement shall be for 
                a period not longer than 5 years.
                    ``(B) Extension.--The Secretary may make an 
                extension of a partnership agreement for a period of 
                less than a year, if the Secretary determines that the 
                extension is necessary to properly complete 1 or more 
                eligible activities.
            ``(3) Terms of partnership.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Under a partnership agreement, 
                the eligible partner and the eligible entity shall--
                            ``(i) determine the scope of the regional 
                        food system to be developed, including goals, 
                        outreach objectives, and eligible activities to 
                        be carried out;
                            ``(ii) determine the local, regional, 
                        State, multi-State, or other geographic area 
                        covered;
                            ``(iii) create and conduct a feasibility 
                        study, implementation plan, and assessment of 
                        eligible activities under the partnership 
                        agreement;
                            ``(iv) conduct outreach and education to 
                        other eligible entities and eligible partners 
                        for potential participation in the partnership 
                        agreement and eligible activities;
                            ``(v) at the request of a producer or 
                        eligible entity desiring to participate in 
                        eligible activities under the partnership 
                        agreement, act on behalf of the producer or 
                        eligible entity in applying for a grant under 
                        subsection (d);
                            ``(vi) monitor, evaluate, and periodically 
                        report to the Secretary on progress made toward 
                        achieving the objectives of eligible activities 
                        under the partnership agreement; and
                            ``(vii) at the conclusion of the 
                        partnership agreement, submit to the Secretary 
                        a report describing--
                                    ``(I) the results and effects of 
                                the partnership agreement; and
                                    ``(II) funds provided by an 
                                eligible partner under subparagraph 
                                (B).
                    ``(B) Contribution.--An eligible partner shall 
                provide funding for a significant portion (as 
                determined by the Secretary) of the total cost of 
                eligible activities under the partnership agreement.
            ``(4) Applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--One or more eligible partners 
                and 1 or more eligible entities desiring to enter into 
                a partnership agreement may submit to the Secretary an 
                application at such time, in such manner, and 
                containing such information as the Secretary considers 
                necessary to evaluate and select applications.
                    ``(B) Competitive process.--The Secretary--
                            ``(i) shall conduct a competitive process 
                        to select applications submitted under 
                        subparagraph (A);
                            ``(ii) may assess and rank applications 
                        with similar purposes as a group; and
                            ``(iii) shall make public the criteria to 
                        be used in evaluating applications prior to 
                        accepting applications.
                    ``(C) Content.--An application submitted to the 
                Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall include a 
                description of--
                            ``(i) the scope of the regional food system 
                        to be developed, including goals, outreach 
                        objectives, and eligible activities to be 
                        carried out;
                            ``(ii) the local, regional, State, multi-
                        State, or other geographic area covered;
                            ``(iii) the projected financials and budget 
                        for eligible activities, including estimated 
                        funded needed from the Secretary through grants 
                        under subsection (d);
                            ``(iv) a list of each eligible partner and 
                        each eligible entity collaborating to achieve 
                        the objectives of the partnership agreement, 
                        including the roles, responsibilities, 
                        capabilities, and financial contribution of 
                        each eligible partner and each eligible entity; 
                        and
                            ``(v) a plan for each of the following:
                                    ``(I) The feasibility study, 
                                implementation plan, and assessment 
                                described in paragraph (3)(A)(iii).
                                    ``(II) The outreach and education 
                                described in paragraph (3)(A)(iv).
                                    ``(III) The monitoring, evaluating, 
                                and reporting described in paragraph 
                                (3)(A)(vi).
                    ``(D) Priority to certain applications.--The 
                Secretary may give priority to applications submitted 
                under subparagraph (A) that--
                            ``(i)(I) leverage significant non-Federal 
                        financial and technical resources; and
                            ``(II) coordinate with other local, State, 
                        or national efforts;
                            ``(ii) plan to create or retain quality 
                        jobs and provide workforce training and 
                        development in the regional food system 
                        developed under the partnership agreement;
                            ``(iii) adapt to regional community needs 
                        and demonstrate the inclusion of cultural 
                        differences that support food equity;
                            ``(iv) support community and regional 
                        economic development, particularly--
                                    ``(I) in rural areas; or
                                    ``(II) development that strengthens 
                                rural and urban connections;
                            ``(v) leverage partnerships with existing 
                        agencies and regional supply chains to better 
                        integrate local and regional foods into new and 
                        existing markets;
                            ``(vi) demonstrate an ability to build 
                        infrastructure and capacity to sustain the 
                        long-term viability of eligible activities;
                            ``(vii) use producer controlled businesses 
                        and cooperative ownership models;
                            ``(viii) support the establishment of 
                        producer controlled businesses and cooperative 
                        ownership models that serve groups whose 
                        members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, 
                        or gender prejudice because of their identity 
                        as members of a group without regard to their 
                        individual qualities;
                            ``(ix) cover an area located in distressed 
                        low-income rural and urban communities, 
                        including areas with persistent poverty;
                            ``(x) demonstrate consistency with existing 
                        regional economic or community development 
                        plans for the area to be served by eligible 
                        activities; and
                            ``(xi) meet other factors that are 
                        important for achieving the purposes of the 
                        Program described in subsection (b), as 
                        determined by the Secretary.
    ``(d) Development Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--Under the Program, the Secretary may 
        provide grants to eligible entities to carry out, in accordance 
        with purposes of the Program described in subsection (b), 
        activities described in paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Eligible activities.--An eligible entity may use a 
        grant provided under paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) to support and promote--
                            ``(i) domestic direct producer-to-consumer 
                        marketing;
                            ``(ii) farmers' markets;
                            ``(iii) roadside stands;
                            ``(iv) agritourism activities;
                            ``(v) community-supported agriculture 
                        programs;
                            ``(vi) online sales; or
                            ``(vii) domestic direct producer-to-
                        retailer marketing;
                    ``(B) to support local and regional food business 
                enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect 
                producer-to-consumer marketing;
                    ``(C) to support the processing, aggregation, 
                distribution, and storage of local and regional food 
                products that are marketed locally or regionally;
                    ``(D) to encourage the development of new food 
                products and value-added agricultural products;
                    ``(E) to assist with business development and 
                feasibility studies;
                    ``(F) to develop marketing strategies for producers 
                of local food products and value-added agricultural 
                products in new and existing markets;
                    ``(G) to facilitate regional food chain 
                coordination and mid-tier value chain development;
                    ``(H) to promote new business opportunities and 
                marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food waste; or
                    ``(I) to respond to changing technology needs in 
                direct producer-to-consumer marketing.
            ``(3) Criteria and guidelines for applications.--The 
        Secretary shall establish such criteria and guidelines for the 
        submission of applications, evaluation, and funding of proposed 
        projects under the Program as the Secretary determines are 
        appropriate.
            ``(4) Priorities.--
                    ``(A) Required priority.--The Secretary shall give 
                priority to applications submitted under paragraph (3) 
                that--
                            ``(i) are applied for by or serve--
                                    ``(I) beginning farmers or 
                                ranchers;
                                    ``(II) socially disadvantaged 
                                farmers or ranchers;
                                    ``(III) operators of small or 
                                medium sized farms or ranches that are 
                                structured as family farms; or
                                    ``(IV) veteran farmers or ranchers;
                            ``(ii) benefit underserved communities, 
                        including communities that are located in areas 
                        of concentrated poverty with limited access to 
                        fresh locally or regionally grown food.
                    ``(B) Discretionary priority.--The Secretary may 
                give priority to applications submitted under paragraph 
                (3) that--
                            ``(i) are applied for by an eligible entity 
                        participating in a partnership agreement; and
                            ``(ii) intend to carry out eligible 
                        activities under the partnership agreement.
            ``(5) Term.--The term of a grant under this subsection 
        shall be not longer than 3 years, as determined by the 
        Secretary.
            ``(6) Amount.--The amount of a grant under the Program 
        shall be not more than $500,000, as determined by the 
        Secretary.
            ``(7) Limitation on use of funds.--An eligible entity may 
        not use a grant under this subsection for the purchase or 
        construction of a building or structure.
    ``(e) Simplification of Application and Reporting Processes.--
            ``(1) Applications.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) simplify the application process for a grant 
                under subsection (d); and
                    ``(B) establish a simplified application form for 
                eligible entities that request less than $50,000 under 
                that subsection.
            ``(2) Reporting.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) streamline and simplify the reporting process 
                for eligible entities; and
                    ``(B) obtain from eligible entities and maintain 
                such information as the Secretary determines is 
                necessary to administer and evaluate the Program.
    ``(f) Economy Act Agreements.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the 
        Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Agricultural 
        Marketing Service, may enter into 1 or more agreements pursuant 
        to sections 1535 and 1536 of title 31, United States Code, 
        with--
                    ``(A) the head of a field-based agency of the 
                Department of Agriculture, as determined by the 
                Secretary, to carry out such purposes and functions of 
                the Program as the Secretary considers appropriate; or
                    ``(B) a cooperative extension service to provide 
                technical assistance and outreach under the program to 
                eligible entities and eligible partners.
            ``(2) Indirect costs.--An agreement entered into under 
        paragraph (1)(B) shall not be subject to any indirect costs, 
        unless the agreement expressly provides that it is subject to 
        indirect costs.
    ``(g) Interdepartmental Coordination.--In carrying out the Program, 
to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure 
coordination among Federal agencies.
    ``(h) Evaluation.--
            ``(1) In general.--Using amounts made available under 
        subsection (i)(4), the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of 
        the Program that--
                    ``(A) measures the economic impact of the Program 
                on new and existing market outcomes;
                    ``(B) measures the effectiveness of the Program in 
                improving and expanding--
                            ``(i) the regional food economy through 
                        public and private partnerships;
                            ``(ii) the production of value-added 
                        agricultural products;
                            ``(iii) producer-to-consumer marketing, 
                        including direct producer-to-consumer 
                        marketing;
                            ``(iv) local and regional food systems, 
                        including regional food chain coordination and 
                        business development;
                            ``(v) new business opportunities and 
                        marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food 
                        waste;
                            ``(vi) the use of new technologies in 
                        producer-to-consumer marketing, including 
                        direct producer-to-consumer marketing; and
                            ``(vii) the workforce and capacity of 
                        regional food systems; and
                    ``(C) provides a description of--
                            ``(i) each partnership agreement; and
                            ``(ii) each grant provided under subsection 
                        (d).
            ``(2) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the 
        Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
        the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
        Senate a report describing the evaluation conducted under 
        paragraph (1), including a thorough analysis of the outcomes of 
        the evaluation.
    ``(i) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
        section $80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022, 
        to remain available until expended.
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022, to remain available 
        until expended.
            ``(3) Use of funds.--
                    ``(A) Producers.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), 
                        of the funds made available to carry out this 
                        section for a fiscal year, 35 percent shall be 
                        used for grants under subsection (d) provided 
                        to eligible entities described in subparagraphs 
                        (A) through (C) of subsection (a)(4).
                            ``(ii) Majority-controlled producer-based 
                        business ventures.--The total amount of grants 
                        under subsection (d) provided to majority-
                        controlled producer-based business ventures for 
                        a fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of 
                        the amount reserved under clause (i).
                    ``(B) Regional partnerships.--Of the funds made 
                available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, 
                10 percent shall be used to enter into partnership 
                agreements.
                    ``(C) Unobligated funds.--Any funds reserved under 
                subparagraph (A) or (B) that are not obligated for the 
                uses described in that subparagraph, as applicable, by 
                September 30 of the fiscal year for which the funds 
                were made available--
                            ``(i) shall be available to carry out any 
                        function of the Program; and
                            ``(ii) may carry over to the next fiscal 
                        year.
            ``(4) Administrative expenses.--Not greater than 8 percent 
        of amounts made available to carry out this section for a 
        fiscal year may be used for administrative expenses.''.

SEC. 3. FOOD SAFETY OUTREACH PROGRAM.

    (a) Eligibility and Project Priorities.--Section 405 of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
U.S.C. 7625) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following 
        new subsection:
    ``(c) Project Priorities.--In awarding grants under this section, 
the Secretary shall give priority to the following types of projects:
            ``(1) A project that targets small and medium-sized farms, 
        beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small food 
        processors, or small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant 
        wholesalers.
            ``(2) A project carried out in partnership with or led by a 
        nonprofit community-based or non-governmental organization, an 
        organization representing owners and operators of farms, small 
        food processors, or small fruit and vegetable merchant 
        wholesalers that work with or represent the target audience for 
        the project.''; and
            (2) in subsection (f)(1)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (C), (D), and 
                (E) as subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F), respectively; 
                and
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
                following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(B) a Federal, State, local, or tribal agency;
                    ``(C) a nonprofit community-based or non-
                governmental organization or an organization 
                representing owners and operators of farms, small food 
                processors, or small fruit and vegetable merchant 
                wholesalers that has a commitment to public health and 
                expertise in administering programs that contribute to 
                food safety;''.
    (b) Coordination and Cooperation.--Section 405(d) of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
U.S.C. 7625(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``National Integrated 
        Food Safety Initiative'' and inserting ``Agricultural Marketing 
        Service''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following 
        new paragraphs:
            ``(2) Consultation.--In carrying out the grant program 
        under this section, the Secretary shall consult with the 
        National Institute of Food and Agriculture--
                    ``(A) to take into consideration applied research, 
                education, and extension results; and
                    ``(B) to integrate program evaluations and results 
                into the research, education, and extension agenda.
            ``(3) Food safety applied research agenda.--In determining 
        the applied research agenda for food safety, the Secretary 
        shall take into consideration the needs articulated by 
        participants in projects funded by the program under this 
        section.''.
    (c) Grant Features and Requirements.--Section 405(e) of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
U.S.C. 7625(e)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following 
        new paragraph:
            ``(2) Encouraged features.--The Secretary shall encourage 
        projects carried out using grant funds under this section--
                    ``(A) to include co-management of food safety, 
                conservation systems, and ecological health; and
                    ``(B) to be appropriate to the identified needs of 
                the priority target audience.'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)(B), by inserting before the period at 
        the end the following: ``, except that a continuation grant may 
        be approved for a project that meets one of the priorities 
        specified in subsection (c) and demonstrates positive impacts 
        to the target audience from the prior funding cycle''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) Limitation on indirect costs.--A recipient of a grant 
        under this subsection may not use more than 20 percent on the 
        funds provided by the grant for the indirect costs of carrying 
        out the initiatives described in paragraph (1).''.
    (d) Funding.--Subsection (j) of section 405 of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625) 
is amended to read as follows:
    ``(j) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
        section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.
            ``(2) Limitation on administrative expenses.--Not more than 
        5 percent of the total amount made available to carry out this 
        section for a fiscal year may be used for administrative 
        expenses.''.
    (e) Cross-Reference and Technical Correction.--Section 405(a) of 
the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 
(7 U.S.C. 7625(a)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(known as the Food Safety Outreach 
        Program)'' after ``competitive grant program''; and
            (2) by striking ``section 1011(d) of the Federal Food, 
        Drug, and Cosmetic Act'' and inserting ``section 1012(d) of the 
        Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 399c(d))''.

SEC. 4. FOOD SAFETY COST-SHARE PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting 
through the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, shall 
establish a national food safety cost-share program to reimburse 
producers and handlers of agricultural products for costs incurred in 
obtaining food safety certification and in making necessary changes and 
upgrades to practices and equipment to improve food safety.
    (b) Eligibility.--
            (1) In general.--Any domestic producer or handler that 
        obtains a food safety certification may request reimbursement 
        under the national food safety cost-share program.
            (2) Limitation.--A producer or handler that has 
        successfully passed a food safety audit each year of the 
        preceding three years is not eligible for reimbursement.
    (c) Amount of Reimbursement.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
        may reimburse a producer or handler under the national food 
        safety cost-share program for--
                    (A) not more than 75 percent of the costs incurred 
                by the producer or handler in obtaining food safety 
                certification through an accredited food safety 
                certifier; and
                    (B) not more than 50 percent of the costs incurred 
                by the producer or handler for changes to agricultural 
                practices and equipment necessary to improve food 
                safety.
            (2) Maximum amount.--The maximum amount of reimbursement 
        provided to a producer or handler under the national food 
        safety cost-share program shall be--
                    (A) $1,500 under paragraph (1)(A); and
                    (B) $5,000 under paragraph (1)(B).
            (3) Increased payments for certain producers.--
        Notwithstanding paragraph (1), but subject to paragraph (2), in 
        the case of a producer that is a limited resource, socially 
        disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a veteran farmer or rancher 
        (as defined in section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, 
        Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))), or a 
        beginning farmer or rancher, the Secretary may increase the 
        amount that would otherwise be provided to the producer under 
        this subsection--
                    (A) up to 90 percent of the cost of certification; 
                and
                    (B) up to 75 percent of the cost of practices.
    (d) Reporting Requirements.--Not later than March 1 of each year, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the requests by, 
disbursements to, and expenditures for each State under the national 
food safety cost-share program during the current and previous fiscal 
year, including the number of producers and handlers served by the 
program in the previous fiscal year.
    (e) Funding.--
            (1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry 
        out the national food safety cost-share program $10,000,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022. Such amounts shall 
        remain available until expended.
            (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out the national food safety cost-
        share program $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 
        2022.

SEC. 5. NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST-SHARE PROGRAM.

    (a) Elimination of Directed Delegation.--Section 10606(a) of the 
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523(a)) is 
amended by striking ``(acting through the Agricultural Marketing 
Service)''.
    (b) Funding.--Subsection (d) of section 10606 of the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(d) Mandatory Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out the 
national organic certification cost-share program $11,500,000, to 
remain available until expended, for each of fiscal years 2018 through 
2022.''.

SEC. 6. LIVESTOCK, DAIRY, AND POULTRY SUPPLY CHAIN INFRASTRUCTURE 
              GRANTS AND LOANS.

    Subtitle D of title III of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section:

``SEC. 379I. LIVESTOCK, DAIRY, AND POULTRY SUPPLY CHAIN INFRASTRUCTURE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to provide grants or 
make or insure loans under any of the programs authorized by this Act, 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), or the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), as the 
Secretary determines to be appropriate, to assist farmers and rural 
businesses and cooperatives to maintain or increase the production, 
aggregation, processing, distribution, and marketing of value-added, 
niche, or regionally-marketed meat, dairy, and poultry products.
    ``(b) Priority.--In implementing subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall give priority to grants or loans that will help increase or 
enhance the availability and geographic distribution of State- and 
Department of Agriculture-inspected small processing facilities.
    ``(c) Small Processing Facility Defined.--In this section, the term 
`small processing facility' means--
            ``(1) with respect to an establishment that is subject to 
        the requirements of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 
        601 et seq.), a certain small establishment that is eligible to 
        be selected under section 501(b) of such Act; or
            ``(2) a selected establishment (as defined in section 31(a) 
        of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 472(a))).''.

SEC. 7. GEOGRAPHIC PREFERENCE AND IDENTIFICATION FOR SCHOOL FOOD.

    Section 9(j) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1758(j)) is amended by striking paragraph (3) and inserting 
the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) allow institutions receiving funds under this Act and 
        the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), 
        including the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable 
        Program--
                    ``(A) to use a geographic preference for the 
                procurement of unprocessed agricultural products, both 
                locally grown and locally raised; or
                    ``(B) to use locally grown, locally raised, or 
                locally caught as a product specification.''.

SEC. 8. HARVESTING HEALTH PROGRAM.

    The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 30. HARVESTING HEALTH PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall, in coordination with other 
Federal agencies, award grants to eligible entities to conduct pilot 
projects to demonstrate and evaluate the impact of produce prescription 
programs for low-income individuals and households.
    ``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the pilot projects required under 
this section is to demonstrate and evaluate the impact of produce 
prescription programs in areas with persistent poverty with respect to 
the following:
            ``(1) The reduction of individual and household food 
        insecurity.
            ``(2) The support for local and regional agriculture and 
        economic development.
            ``(3) The increased domestic consumption of produce.
            ``(4) The reduction in health care use and associated 
        costs.
    ``(c) Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term `eligible entity' 
means--
            ``(1) an emergency feeding organization (as defined in 
        section 201A of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 
        U.S.C. 7501)), in partnership with--
                    ``(A) a hospital;
                    ``(B) a Federally-qualified health center (as such 
                term is defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social 
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)(B)));
                    ``(C) a hospital or clinic operated by the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs;
                    ``(D) a provider group;
            ``(2) a farmer's market, community supported agriculture 
        entity, cooperative, local public benefit corporation, non-
        profit organization, retail food store authorized under the 
        supplemental nutrition assistance program;
            ``(3) a local or State government agency, in partnership 
        with any of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through 
        (D) of paragraph (1); and
            ``(4) any of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) 
        through (D) of paragraph (1), in partnership with an--
                    ``(A) emergency feeding organization;
                    ``(B) entity described in paragraph (2); or
                    ``(C) a local or State government agency.
    ``(d) Demonstration Project.--To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application, at 
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
Secretary may require, including--
            ``(1) a description of methods for how the produce 
        prescription program would be targeted to low-income 
        individuals and households with existing diet-related health 
        issues;
            ``(2) a description and plan for the screening and 
        recruitment of low-income individuals and households with 
        existing diet-related health issues;
            ``(3) a description of plans for the evaluation of program 
        participants and partners focused on purposes described under 
        subsection (b);
            ``(4) a description of plans for the inclusion of nutrition 
        education opportunities for program participants;
            ``(5) a description of the program partnerships and the 
        role of each partner in implementing and evaluating an 
        effective program;
            ``(6) documentation of the necessary partnership agreements 
        with the relevant State Medicaid agency or other appropriate 
        entity for the purpose of evaluating the programs effectiveness 
        in reducing health care use and associated costs; and
            ``(7) data as requested by the Secretary for purposes of 
        analyzing the impact of the project.
    ``(e) Evaluation.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary may 
enter into memorandums of understanding with Federal and States 
agencies and private partners to ensure the effective implementation 
and evaluation of the program.
    ``(f) Produce Prescription Program Defined.--In this section, the 
term `produce prescription program' means a program--
            ``(1) under which fresh fruits and vegetables are 
        prescribed to individuals or households who are at-risk due to 
        health status or income; and
            ``(2) that may provide--
                    ``(A) financial incentives for individuals 
                described in paragraph (1) to purchase fruits and 
                vegetables;
                    ``(B) education resources on nutrition to such 
                individuals; and
                    ``(C) accessible locations for participants to 
                procure fresh fruits and vegetables.
    ``(g) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
        section $10,000,000, to remain available until expended, for 
        each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.
            ``(2) Discretionary funding.--There is authorized to be 
        appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for each 
        of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.''.

SEC. 9. EXTENSION OF, EXPANSION OF, AND ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR, SENIORS 
              FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM.

    (a) Extension of Program.--Section 4402(a) of the Farm Security and 
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007(a)) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(a) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry 
        out and expand a seniors and veterans farmers' market nutrition 
        program at least $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 
        through 2022.
            ``(2) Discretionary funding.--There are authorized to be 
        appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2018 through 2022.
            ``(3) Use of funds.--Of the funds made available to carry 
        out this section for a fiscal year--
                    ``(A) 70 percent of the funds shall be used for the 
                benefit of program recipients who are low-income 
                seniors; and
                    ``(B) 30 percent of the funds shall be used for the 
                benefit of program recipients who are low-income 
                veterans.''.
    (b) Purposes.--Section 4402(b)(1) of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007(b)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``, minimally processed'' after 
        ``unprepared''; and
            (2) by inserting ``and low-income veterans'' after ``low-
        income seniors''.
    (c) Administrative Costs; Unexpended Funds.--Section 4402 of the 
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Unexpended Funds.--To the extent the funds made available 
under subsection (a) for a fiscal year are not expended in that fiscal 
year, the Secretary shall use such funds in a subsequent fiscal year 
for the same purpose.
    ``(h) Priorities.--In providing funds made available under this 
section, the Secretary shall give priority to farmers' markets that 
have an operational seniors and veterans farmers' market program and to 
seniors and veterans farmers' market programs in historically 
underserved communities.
    ``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Low-income.--The term `low-income' shall have the 
        meaning determined by the Secretary and shall be applied 
        equally with respect to seniors and veterans.
            ``(2) Minimally processed.--The term `minimally processed' 
        means, with respect to a product, processing that does not 
        fundamentally alter such product.
            ``(3) Veteran.--The term `veteran' means an individual who 
        has served in the Armed Forces (as defined in section 101(10) 
        of title 38 United States Code).''.
    (d) Expansion To Include Veterans.--Section 4402 of the Farm 
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007) is amended by 
inserting ``and veterans'' after ``seniors'' each place it appears in 
the section heading and in subsections (b), (c), (d), and (f).

SEC. 10. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM.

    Section 413 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7633) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(4), by inserting ``, to promote 
        agricultural education, and raise awareness about the 
        consequences of wasted food and encourage the implementation of 
        food recovery initiatives to reduce the quantity of wasted 
        food'' before the semicolon;
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and 
                        where food comes from; and'' and inserting 
                        ``where food comes from, the consequences of 
                        food waste, and food recovery initiatives;'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking the 
                        period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following 
                        new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) have the capacity to execute regional or 
                national projects that include 2 or more States.''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(3) Reservation.--The majority of the funds made 
        available to carry out this subsection shall be reserved for 
        projects that--
                    ``(A) are larger in scale as compared to other 
                proposed projects;
                    ``(B) are national or regional in scope; and
                    ``(C) include 2 or more States.''; and
            (3) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``$25,000,000, to 
        remain available until expended'' and inserting ``$5,000,000 
        for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022''.
                                 <all>