Bill > S1021

This bill establishes a new Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program within the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, designed to increase the purchase and consumption of nutrient-rich dairy products among households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The program will provide incentives at the point of purchase for naturally nutrient-rich dairy products, which include fluid milk, yogurt, and cheese made from cow's milk. The Secretary of Agriculture will implement the program by awarding competitive grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities like state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations. These entities must submit applications with project designs that maximize direct incentives for SNAP participants and use point-of-sale systems that can electronically issue dairy-specific incentives. The bill allocates $10 million in mandatory funding annually, with an additional $10 million authorized to be appropriated each fiscal year. An independent evaluation will measure the program's effectiveness using rigorous scientific methodologies, and the results will be publicly reported to congressional agricultural committees. The legislation also ensures a smooth transition from existing healthy fluid milk incentive projects, with a plan to fully integrate and eventually replace the current projects within one year.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1021/all-info