A new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would give low-income households $60 a month to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables. The Fresh Bucks for Fresh Produce Act, introduced July 2, 2026, aims to address food insecurity by connecting eligible families with local produce through a federal pilot program.
Bill targets food deserts, food-insecure communities
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The legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish the Fresh Bucks Pilot Program, awarding grants to states to fund the monthly payments. States applying for grants would be required to submit a plan for reaching low-access areas — including through mobile markets, delivery models and partnerships with community organizations or clinics.
Priority would be given to states targeting food-insecure communities, and the USDA would be required to ensure geographic diversity by awarding at least one grant to states in the Pacific Northwest, Northeast, Western, Midwest and Southern regions.
Who qualifies — eligibility requirements
To receive payments, households would need to earn 80% or less of the area median income, as determined by the USDA in consultation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Households already enrolled in SNAP — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — would automatically meet the income requirement and could be auto-enrolled with minimal additional paperwork.
The bill defines a household as one or more individuals living together who customarily purchase and prepare food at home. It also includes a special provision for college students under 18, who would be considered part of their parents’ or caregivers’ household for eligibility purposes.
How payments would work
Each eligible household would receive $60 per month, loaded onto an electronic benefits transfer card. Payments could only be spent within a 30-day window and must supplement — not replace — other benefits the household already receives.
Qualifying purchases would include fresh, frozen or dried fruits and vegetables with no added fat, sugar or salt; herbs; and plant starts that grow qualifying foods.
Eligible retailers would include farmers markets, independent grocers, farm stands, supermarkets and any other retailers the USDA deems appropriate.
What states could spend grant money on
States receiving grants could use the funds for administrative costs, including hiring staff, coordinating with community organizations, contracting with electronic benefits transfer card providers and producing culturally relevant, plain-language materials in multiple languages. Funds could also go toward technical and financial assistance for eligible retailers.
Study to track program’s impact
The USDA would be required to study the program’s effectiveness, collecting data from participating states on household demographics, food security levels before and after participation, daily fruit and vegetable consumption and barriers to access — including distance to retailers, transportation constraints and the availability and pricing of qualifying foods.
An initial report to Congress would be due between six months and one year after the bill’s enactment. A final report, due five years after enactment, would include a recommendation on whether to continue or expand the program.
Program set to expire after five years
The Fresh Bucks Pilot Program would terminate five years after the date of enactment unless Congress acts to extend it.
Who introduced the bill
Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington introduced the bill, joined by Reps. Alma Adams, Nanette Barragán, Chris Deluzio, Shomari Figures, Jahana Hayes, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Andrea Salinas, Adam Smith of Washington and Shri Thanedar. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.