To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to increase the purchase of animal protein for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to be included in food assistance distributed under the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983.

Plain-English Summary

This bill proposes changes to federal food assistance programs to increase the amount of animal protein — such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy — that the government purchases and distributes through emergency food programs. Specifically, it would direct more funding toward buying these protein-rich foods during fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (October 2025 through September 2027).

The food distributed under this bill would flow through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which is the federal program that supplies food to food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and similar organizations across the country. These organizations then distribute the food directly to low-income individuals and families who need help affording groceries.

The people most directly affected would be low-income Americans who rely on food banks and emergency food programs, who may receive more meat, eggs, or other animal proteins in their food packages. Food banks and distribution organizations would also be affected, as the types of food they receive from the federal government would shift. Additionally, farmers, ranchers, and producers in the animal agriculture industry could see increased demand for their products if the government is purchasing more of these foods.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, which is a standard early step in the legislative process. It has not yet been voted on or passed into law.