FORK Act of 2026
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (30 Jul 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
What this bill does
The FORK Act of 2026 would establish a one-year pilot program to provide grants for meal delivery vehicles. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) would award these grants, up to $100,000 each, to organizations that provide meals to children during the summer. These funds could be used to purchase, retrofit, or repair vehicles for delivering meals outside of traditional group settings, such as a grab-and-go service.
The program aims to help service institutions, like school food authorities, expand meal access. Priority for grants will be given to organizations in areas with poor economic conditions, outside of core urban areas, and that serve a high proportion of students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. The USDA will also try to ensure that grants go to organizations in different states.
This bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Jeff Merkley and has been referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. If enacted, the program would begin with the first summer after 180 days of enactment. The bill authorizes $1,000,000 annually for this pilot program from fiscal years 2027 through 2029.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Feeding Our Rural Kids Act of 2026 or the FORK Act of 2026
This bill establishes a summer meal delivery vehicle pilot program as part of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). (The SFSP is a federally funded, state-administered program that reimburses providers that serve no-cost, healthy meals and snacks to children and teens at summer sites in low-income communities.)
Under the bill, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must award one-year grants of up to $100,000 for service institutions (e.g., school food authorities) to purchase, retrofit, or repair vehicles to facilitate noncongregate meal distribution. This is meal distribution outside of the typically required group, or congregate, setting (e.g., grab-and-go meal service).
Among other things, USDA must give priority to service institutions located in an area in which poor economic conditions exist and that serve a high proportion of students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. USDA must also ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that service institutions receiving grants are located in different states.
Timeline
30 Jul 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Common questions
- What does S. 5184 do?
- The FORK Act of 2026 would establish a one-year pilot program to provide grants for meal delivery vehicles. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) would award these grants, up to $100,000 each, to organizations that provide meals to children during the summer. These funds could be used to purchase, retrofit, or repair vehicles for delivering meals outside of traditional group settings, such as a grab-and-go service. The program aims to help service institutions, like school food authorities, expand meal access. Priority for grants will be given to organizations in areas with poor economic conditions, outside of core urban areas, and that serve a high proportion of students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. The USDA will also try to ensure that grants go to organizations in different states. This bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Jeff Merkley and has been referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. If enacted, the program would begin with the first summer after 180 days of enactment. The bill authorizes $1,000,000 annually for this pilot program from fiscal years 2027 through 2029.
- Has S. 5184 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5184. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5184?
- S. 5184 was sponsored by Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5184?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (30 Jul 2026).
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