(Cash-value vouchers are redeemable for fruits and vegetables as part of a WIC food package.) Authority to increase the amount of a cash-value voucher shall terminate on September 30, 2021. 1105) This section provides authority and funding for USDA to approve state requests to increase the amount of a cash-value voucher under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for a qualified food package to up to $35 for a four-month period during the COVID-19 public health emergency. 1104) This section provides funding through FY2022 to USDA for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. 1103) This section provides additional funding through FY2027 for USDA to provide grants to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa for nutrition assistance. 1102) This section provides additional funding through FY2026 for USDA to (1) make technological improvements to improve online purchasing in SNAP (2) modernize electronic benefit transfer technology (3) support the mobile technologies demonstration projects and the use of mobile technologies and (4) provide technical assistance to educate retailers on the process and technical requirements for the online acceptance of SNAP benefits, mobile payments, and electronic benefit transfer modernization initiatives. It also provides funding through FY2023 for the costs of state administrative expenses and administering SNAP. 1101) This section extends through FY2021 the requirement to calculate the value of benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) by using 115% of the June 2020 value of the thrifty food plan. 1007) This section provides funding through FY2022 to use the Commodity Credit Corporation to make commodities available and pay associated expenses for the Food for Peace program.
provide financial assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, or forest landowners who are former farm loan borrowers and suffered related adverse actions or past discrimination or bias in USDA programs.support and supplement agricultural research, education, and extension, as well as scholarships and programs that provide internships and pathways to federal employment and.fund one or more equity commissions to address racial equity issues within USDA and its programs.provide grants and loans to improve land access for such groups.provide outreach, mediation, training, and assistance on issues concerning food, agriculture, agricultural credit, agricultural extension, rural development, or nutrition to certain socially disadvantaged groups, including socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, or forest landowners.Specifically, USDA must use specified amounts to
1006) This section provides funding for USDA to address historical discrimination and disparities in the agriculture sector. 1005) This section provides funding for USDA to pay off outstanding farm loan debts of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. 1004) This section provides funding through FY2022 to the Office of the Inspector General of USDA for audits, investigations, and other oversight activities of projects and activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 1003) This section provides funding for necessary administrative expenses associated with carrying out this subtitle. 1002) This section provides funding for, and directs USDA to establish, an emergency pilot program to provide grants to certain applicants for rural health care and other rural development needs related to COVID-19. The section also requires USDA to use specified amounts of the funding to (1) conduct animal surveillance and monitoring related to COVID-19 and (2) reduce overtime inspection costs borne by federally inspected small and very small meat, poultry, or egg processors. 1001) This section provides funding for FY2021 to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to (1) purchase food and agricultural commodities (2) purchase and distribute agricultural commodities (including fresh produce, dairy, seafood, eggs, and meat) to individuals in need (3) provide grants and loans for small or midsized food processors or distributors, seafood processing facilities and processing vessels, farmers markets, producers, or other organizations to respond to COVID-19 and (4) provide grants, loans, and other assistance to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. TITLE I-COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY This bill provides additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses.