GusNIP Expansion Act of 2026

This bill expands the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) by modifying funding rules and adding new program features. It allows 100% federal funding for projects in persistent poverty areas (defined by 30-year poverty rates), requires 90% of funds to be spent on redeemed incentives at retailers, and creates cooperative agreements to scale statewide programs through partnerships with SNAP agencies or nonprofits. It also establishes new produce prescription grants ($100,000-$400,000 for pilots, $1-2.5 million for expansion) with specific criteria for clinical research and patient cohorts. The bill directly affects low-income SNAP participants in designated poverty areas, retailers accepting incentives, and community health centers participating in produce prescription programs.