Delivering for Rural Seniors Act of 2025
Delivering for Rural Seniors Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Summary of the Delivering for Rural Seniors Act of 2025 **What the Bill Does** This bill would create a pilot program to help deliver food directly to seniors' homes in rural areas. Currently, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides free USDA foods to low-income people age 60 and older, but recipients typically have to pick up their food at distribution centers. This bill would give grants to states to test home delivery services instead, helping seniors who may have difficulty traveling to pick up food. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects low-income seniors (age 60+) living in rural areas who participate in or could benefit from the CSFP. It also impacts state agencies and local organizations that distribute food assistance.
The bill prioritizes rural communities, recognizing that seniors in these areas may face transportation challenges. **Key Provisions** Grant money could be used for transportation and delivery costs, staff to run the home delivery services, and outreach to find eligible seniors. States would distribute these grants to local agencies that want to operate the delivery programs. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by Congress.
CRS Official Summary
Delivering for Rural Seniors Act of 2025This bill directs the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to award competitive grants to state agencies under a home delivery pilot program for participants in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). As background, the CSFP works to improve the health of low-income persons at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious Department of Agriculture foods.Under the pilot program, a state agency must distribute grant funds to an eligible entity (i.e., a local agency or subdistributing agency) to operate projects that facilitate home delivery of commodities to CSFP participants. Grant funds may be used for costs associated withtransportation and distribution of commodities to CSFP participants,staffing required to operate home delivery services, andhome delivery outreach to CSFP participants or potential participants.A state agency must prioritize eligible entities that serve CSFP participants who reside in rural areas.A state agency must also submit an annual report to FNS about the project, including best practices regarding the use of home delivery to improve the effectiveness of the CSFP.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.