Bill Overview
Title: Farmers Market and Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides for increased support for farmers' markets. The bill extends through FY2028, expands eligibility for, and increases benefits under the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. The bill extends through FY2025 and increases benefits under the Women, Infants, and Children Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must make loans, loan guarantees, and grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the construction of new farmers markets or the improvement or rehabilitation of existing farmers markets. Additionally, the bill requires USDA to establish a pilot grant program in which food banks may voluntarily contract with their local farmers for them to grow produce for food bank programs to promote local procurement of produce.
Sponsors: Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals benefiting from farmers' market programs and food banks
Estimated Size: 75000000
- The bill provides increased support for farmers' markets, which would directly impact farmers who participate in these markets by possibly increasing their income and market access.
- The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program target includes senior citizens who will benefit from expanded eligibility and increased benefits.
- The Women, Infants, and Children Farmers' Market Nutrition Program target includes women, infants, and children who are participants in WIC, who will benefit from increased access to fresh products.
- Public agencies and nonprofit organizations will benefit from loans, loan guarantees, and grants for farmers' market construction or improvement.
- Food banks and their beneficiaries, including low-income individuals and families, will benefit from the pilot grant program intended to increase local produce procurement through contracts with farmers.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily targets senior citizens, women, infants, and children participating in WIC programs, farmers benefiting from markets, and low-income individuals who depend on food banks.
- The budget constraints limit the scope, suggesting not everyone in these groups will experience changes immediately or at the same magnitude, especially in the early years.
- We can assume that stakeholders directly involved in or benefiting from expanded farmers' markets, nutrition programs, and food bank services will likely see improvements if the budget allows for their inclusion.
- Even within target demographics, the impact will vary — larger urban centers might have more immediate access to improved farmers' markets, while rural areas might take longer to see benefits.
Simulated Interviews
retired school teacher (rural Ohio)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about the increased support for farmers' markets. I rely on the fresh produce from these markets for nutrition, and this bill means I might get more benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
stay-at-home mom (urban Portland, Oregon)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Extra benefits in the WIC Farmers' Market Program could really help us access more fresh produce. It's definitely a positive change.
- Hope this means more local farmer options too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
organic farmer (Des Moines, Iowa)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More support for farmers' markets will likely boost my income. I'm hoping to expand my presence and maybe even participate in the food bank program.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
food bank volunteer (Austin, Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great that food banks can now contract with local farmers. Hopefully, this means more fresh produce for the people we serve.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
nonprofit director (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The USDA grants could help us revamp our local market. It's vital for community health and local farmers.
- But competition for these grants will be tough.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
single mother, part-time cashier (Birmingham, Alabama)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With more benefits under WIC, I hope to buy more fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Every little bit helps when you're on a tight budget.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
urban planner (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This Act is a positive step for sustainable urban growth. It aligns well with our goals for improving access to local food.
- It's essential we focus on these community solutions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
nutritionist (suburban Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased WIC benefits can significantly improve diet quality for low-income families.
- This is a crucial aspect of public health intervention.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
local government official (rural Mississippi)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The pilot grant program will be key for us to link local farms with food banks. We need more resources to fight food insecurity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
grad student (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation could serve as an innovative model for other community-based food system policies.
- It's an exciting time for rural and urban agriculture policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $12500000 (Low: $10000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 3: $17500000 (Low: $14000000, High: $21000000)
Year 5: $22500000 (Low: $18000000, High: $27000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The variability in market access and participation rates among farmers could affect the program's efficiency and reach.
- Local economic conditions may influence the extent to which the bill's programs result in meaningful economic boosts.
- Administrative and operational costs for new and expanded programs must be managed effectively to avoid budget overruns.