Congress expands farmers' market funding, waives matching requirements for poor communities
H.R. 6775 — New Markets for Farmers and Families Act · Filed by Lauren Underwood (D-IL) · 2 cosponsors · Introduced Dec 17, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill reauthorizes and expands the federal farmers' markets and local food promotion program, increasing annual funding to $100 million (through 2026) and $50 million thereafter, and requiring grant recipients to match federal funds with 25% of their own money—except for new farmers' markets in underserved areas, which get a waiver. The bill reserves 30% of annual funding for first-time applicants establishing new markets and mandates public reporting on grant applications, awards, and program integrity.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is straightforward reauthorization and funding increase for an existing USDA program supporting local food systems. It is a routine appropriations and program-structure amendment with no hidden riders or deceptive framing.
What the text implies
- The 25% matching-fund requirement may still exclude very small or rural communities lacking capital reserves, even with the priority-grant waiver—implementation will determine whether the waiver is broad enough to reach the poorest areas.
- The 30% funding reservation for new markets could create a two-tier system where established markets compete for the remaining 70%, potentially starving existing underperforming markets of growth capital.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
farmers' market operators and vendors; local food producers and farms; community organizations managing farmers' markets