H.R. 2236 — Healthy Foods for Native Seniors Act

This section establishes a demonstration project, subject to appropriations, under which selected Tribal entities may enter self-determination contracts with the Secretary of Agriculture to purchase domestically produced agricultural commodities for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) on their Indian reservations. (As background, CSFP provides monthly USDA food packages to low-income individuals who are age 60 or older, or who are pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding women or children under age 6.) To participate, Tribal entities must successfully administer CSFP, demonstrate procurement capacity, and meet Secretary-determined criteria developed in consultation with Tribal entities and the Secretary of the Interior; procured commodities must not materially increase food package amounts beyond current CSFP guide rates, must offer similar or higher nutritional value (or Tribal cultural significance) compared to supplanted items, and must meet other Secretary criteria. This section further requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees on project activities, beginning one year after funds are appropriated; authorizes $5 million for the project, available until expended and only from advance appropriations specifically for this purpose; directs the Secretary to designate an existing Department of Agriculture office to administer the contracts, including Tribal entity selection and staffing; and authorizes $1.2 million for each of FY2026 through FY2029 for contract officers and program staff salaries and benefits.