March 18, 2025
Mr. Vasquez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a demonstration project to allow Tribal entities to purchase agricultural commodities under the commodity supplemental food program, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Healthy Foods for Native Seniors Act
.
Sec. 2. Commodity supplemental food program demonstration project for Tribal organizations
(a) Demonstration project for Tribal organizations
(1) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Demonstration project
The term demonstration project means the demonstration project established under paragraph (2).
(B) Food distribution program
The term food distribution program means the commodity supplemental food program under section 4 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note).
(C) Indian reservation
The term Indian reservation has the meaning given the term reservation in section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012).
(D) Indian Tribe
The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(E) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(F) Self-determination contract
The term self-determination contract has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304) with modification as determined by the Secretary.
(G) Tribal entity
The term Tribal entity means—
(i)
an Indian reservation;
(ii)
an Indian Tribe; and
(iii)
a Tribal organization.
(H) Tribal organization
The term Tribal organization has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012).
(2) Establishment
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall establish a demonstration project under which 1 or more Tribal entities may enter into self-determination contracts to purchase agricultural commodities under the food distribution program for the Indian reservation of that Tribal entity.
(3) Eligibility
(A) Consultation
The Secretary shall consult with Tribal entities to determine the process under which each entity may participate in the demonstration project.
(B) Criteria
The Secretary shall select for participation in the demonstration project Tribal entities that—
(i)
are successfully administering the food distribution program of the Tribal entity;
(ii)
have the capacity to purchase agricultural commodities in accordance with paragraph (4) for the food distribution program of the Tribal entity; and
(iii)
meet any other criteria determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and Tribal entities.
(4) Procurement of agricultural commodities
Any agricultural commodities purchased by a Tribal entity under the demonstration project shall—
(A)
be domestically produced;
(B)
not result in a material increase in the amount of food in the food package of that Tribal entity compared to the amount of food that the Secretary authorized to be provided through the CSFP Guide Rate;
(C)
be of similar or higher nutritional value as the type of agricultural commodities that would be supplanted in the existing food package for that Tribal entity or be an agricultural commodity with Tribal significance to that Tribal entity; and
(D)
meet any other criteria determined by the Secretary.
(5) Report
Not later than 1 year after the date on which funds are appropriated under paragraph (6), and annually thereafter, 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 activities carried out under the demonstration project during the preceding year.
(6) Funding
(A) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection $5,000,000, to remain available until expended.
(B) Appropriations in advance
With respect to any funds made available under subparagraph (A), only funds appropriated in advance specifically to carry out this subsection shall be available to carry out this subsection.
(b) Administration of Tribal self-Determination contracts
(1) Administration
The Secretary shall appoint an existing office of the Department of Agriculture to administer Tribal self-determination contracts, including—
(A)
awarding of FNS nutrition program self-determination contracts to selected Tribal entities; and
(B)
hiring contract officers and program staff in order to manage the selection of Tribal entities and execution of self-determination contracts.
(2) Staffing minimum funding
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $1,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029 for the payment of Department contract officers and program staff salaries and benefits.