EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act

HR 6569, the EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act, requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prioritize specific food purchases in its procurement programs. The bill mandates that USDA spending must include a minimum percentage of foods supporting: equity (from beginning, veteran, or socially disadvantaged farmers/fishermen/ranchers), resilient supply chains (small/mid-sized farms, organic, animal welfare certified), worker well-being (unionized or certified vendors), and climate-friendly practices (low emissions, deforestation policies). It establishes annual reporting requirements on procurement spending, greenhouse gas emissions, and targets to increase these categories by 2032. The bill also creates a pilot program for "best value" procurement (20% of spending) and provides $25 million in grants to help small and underrepresented producers meet USDA vendor requirements.