Farmers’ Market Local Revitalization Act of 2026

Increased Support for Seniors: The bill increases funding for the senior farmers' market nutrition program to $75,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 (Section 3). It also increases the minimum individual benefit to $35 and removes the maximum individual benefit limit (Section 3, subsection (c)).

Improved Access for Families and Children: The bill aims to better support food-insecure families and income-eligible mothers, infants, and children by increasing and enhancing funding (Section 2). Specifically, it updates the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program with mandatory funding of $30,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 (Section 4).

Better Market Opportunities for Farmers: The act intends to increase market opportunities for local farmers (Section 2). It allows participants to redeem up to 50 percent of their benefits through community supported agriculture, food hubs, or other approved aggregators (Section 3, subsection (d)).

Modernized and Easier Payment Systems: The bill supports a transition to electronic incentive delivery and allows for the use of electronic benefit transfer or mobile payment technologies (Section 3, subsection (c) and (e)). This includes encouraging technologies that work across different Federal nutrition programs (Section 3, subsection (e)).

Support for Rural and New Markets: The bill provides for a nonparticipant set-aside to support States, territories, and Indian Tribes that did not participate in the program in the prior fiscal year (Section 3, subsection (3)). It also provides funds for technical assistance to help rural markets and farmers expand their capacity (Section 3, subsection (f)).

Potential Benefit Fluctuations: When a revised allocation formula is implemented, the bill includes a provision that limits decreases in benefit amounts to no more than 10 percent during the first 2 years, implying that benefit amounts could potentially decrease (Section 3, subsection (a)(2)(B)(ii)(II)).

Administrative Restrictions on Technology Funds: Under the WIC program, States may use up to 10 percent of program funds for technology modernization, but only if those funds are not needed to maintain caseload or participant benefits (Section 4, subsection (2)(B)(H)).