EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act

The EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to change its food procurement practices to prioritize foods supporting local farmers, worker well-being, environmental sustainability, and equitable food systems. It mandates the USDA to purchase more foods produced by beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, veterans, and those using sustainable practices, while requiring transparency through annual reports on procurement spending. The bill sets specific targets for increasing such purchases by 2032, allocates $2 million annually from 2026-2031 for covered producers, and creates a $25 million grant program to help small producers meet USDA requirements. The legislation also establishes a pilot program to evaluate "best value" procurement that considers factors beyond price, such as environmental impact and labor practices.