The EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act directs the Department of Agriculture to significantly reshape how it purchases food by prioritizing socially and environmentally responsible sources. The bill requires USDA to purchase a sufficient variety of foods from beginning farmers, veteran farmers, and socially disadvantaged farmers; from small and mid-sized family farms and fishing businesses; from farms with strong labor protections and worker representation; and from producers using practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support environmental sustainability. To implement these changes, the bill establishes a pilot program using competitive bidding to purchase at least 20 percent of USDA's annual food spending through suppliers meeting these criteria, requires comprehensive annual reporting on food purchases and greenhouse gas emissions, and creates a grant program offering up to $100,000 per applicant to help eligible producers obtain food safety certifications and liability insurance needed to become federal vendors. The legislation authorizes $25 million in funding for fiscal years 2025 through 2030 and sets a target for USDA to increase its spending in these food categories by 2032 while reducing associated greenhouse gas emissions.
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