H.R.2496 - Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2496, the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025, aims to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 by establishing a dairy nutrition incentive program. This program will focus on increasing the purchase and consumption of naturally nutrient-rich dairy products among households receiving SNAP benefits. The bill allocates mandatory funding of $10 million per fiscal year and authorizes an additional $10 million for fiscal year 2026 and subsequent years to carry out the program.
The program involves the Secretary of Agriculture developing and testing methods to incentivize the purchase of dairy products at the point of sale for SNAP recipients. It also includes grants and cooperative agreements with eligible entities like state/local governments and non-profit organizations to implement these projects.
Furthermore, the bill mandates independent evaluations of each project to measure the impact of incentives on dairy purchases and requires the Secretary to submit biennial reports to Congress on the program's status and evaluation results.
Expected Effects
The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 is likely to increase the consumption of dairy products among SNAP recipients. This will be achieved by providing incentives at the point of purchase.
It will also provide funding and support to state and local entities to develop and implement programs that promote dairy consumption. The Act will also lead to better data collection and analysis on the impact of nutrition incentives through required evaluations and reports.
Finally, the act will transition existing healthy fluid milk incentive projects into the new dairy nutrition incentive program.
Potential Benefits
- Increased consumption of nutrient-rich dairy products among SNAP recipients, potentially improving their nutritional intake.
- Support for the dairy industry through increased demand for dairy products.
- Grants and cooperative agreements for state and local entities, fostering community-level initiatives.
- Rigorous evaluation of program effectiveness, ensuring evidence-based policy decisions.
- Potential for improved public health outcomes related to calcium and vitamin D intake.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for administrative overhead and costs associated with implementing and evaluating the program.
- Risk that the program may not significantly alter dietary habits or improve health outcomes.
- Possible unintended consequences, such as reduced consumption of other nutritious foods.
- Dependence on continued funding appropriations, which may be subject to future budget constraints.
- The definition of 'naturally nutrient-rich dairy' might exclude some healthy dairy alternatives or plant-based options.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the U.S. Constitution, particularly the General Welfare Clause (Article I, Section 8), which grants Congress the power to provide for the general welfare of the United States. The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program aims to improve the nutritional intake of low-income individuals, which falls under the umbrella of general welfare.
Additionally, the bill does not appear to infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights. It does not establish a religion, restrict freedom of speech, or violate privacy rights.
The allocation of funds and the establishment of the program are within the powers granted to Congress by the Constitution.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).