H.R. 6586 — To authorize the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program to assess the efficacy of providing junior enlisted members of the Armed Forces a monthly coupon for use in procuring food at commissaries.

This section expresses the sense of Congress that (1) members of the Armed Forces and their families deserve access to affordable and healthy food options, including during their duty day; (2) there has been increased awareness about the challenges they face in accessing such options; (3) those challenges have been especially acute for unaccompanied junior enlisted members living in government-provided quarters on military installations; and (4) the Department of Defense should explore proposals to expand accessibility of healthy and affordable food options for members, especially those in unaccompanied housing on military installations.

This section authorizes the Secretary of Defense to conduct a one-year pilot program at two military installations to provide junior enlisted members monthly coupons for purchasing food at commissaries. Installations are selected based on factors such as large numbers of enlisted members in unaccompanied housing with kitchen access, high enlisted-to-officer ratios, low dining facility usage and satisfaction, and proximate commissaries offering nutritious options. Coupons, whose amounts are determined by the Secretary, may be used only for food (including ready-made items) at commissaries, exclude alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and excess deposits, and supplement—but do not supplant—the basic allowance for subsistence or other meal programs. Not later than 90 days after program termination, the Secretary must report to the congressional defense committees on coupon usage and member satisfaction, impacts on commissary and dining facility usage, historical dining facility metrics, and program efficacy in reducing food insecurity and increasing nutritious food access for junior enlisted members.