I will let states allocate up to 20% of Emergency Food Assistance Program funding to the USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program.

During Committee markup, Congressman Gray was able to unanimously pass two amendments to strengthen the bill. The first would allow states the flexibility to allocate up to 20% of their Emergency Food Assistance Program funding towards the USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program.

Gray backed an amendment allowing states to redirect part of emergency food assistance funding toward fresh fruit and vegetable procurement.

GRAY BACKED FARM BILL PASSES THROUGH FULL HOUSE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT | Congressman Adam Gray
primary · press_release · model gpt-5.4-mini

Provide states with the flexibility to allocate up to 20% of their Emergency Food Assistance Program funding towards the USDA Department of Defense (DOD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

Gray's amendment would allow states to shift up to 20% of EFAP funding to fresh fruit and vegetable purchases.

GRAY SECURES MAJOR WINS FOR CENTRAL VALLEY FARMERS, BUSINESSES, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN 2026 FARM BILL | Congressman Adam Gray
primary · press_release · model gpt-5.4-mini

TEFAP is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low-income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Products include canned, frozen, dried, juiced, and fresh fruits and vegetables; protein items such as meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and beans; whole and enriched grains such as rice, flour, cereals, pasta, and tortillas; and dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese.

Establishes the program scope and confirms TEFAP already distributes fresh produce and other USDA Foods, but does not show any new authority to divert funds to DoD Fresh.

unresolved unknown

TEFAP Factsheet | Food and Nutrition Service
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 86%

The USDA Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program allows schools to use USDA Foods entitlement dollars to buy fresh produce. USDA does not impose a cap on the amount of USDA Foods entitlement used through this program and allocations may be changed on several dates throughout the year.

Shows the DoD Fresh program exists and operates without a USDA-imposed cap for schools, but it is a school program and not evidence that TEFAP states received a 20% allocation option.

unresolved unknown

USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program | Food and Nutrition Service
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 84%

The bill directs USDA to coordinate with geographically isolated states to (1) establish alternative delivery options for allocated commodities, and (2) allow for the states to order commodities through the USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Under this option, USDA may distribute as cash to the state up to 20% of the cash value of the commodities that are allocated to the state under TEFAP.

This is the closest concrete legislative match to the claim: it proposes allowing states to use up to 20% of TEFAP commodity value in a way tied to DoD Fresh/alternative delivery. However, the page is a closed 118th Congress bill overview and does not show enactment.

partial same_term A for effort

H.R.6203 - Farmers Feeding America Act of 2023 | Congress.gov
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 95%

Section 214(c) of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 ... agency to use not more than 20 percent of the cost of the ... to order commodities through the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

Another legislative vehicle in the 118th Congress contained substantively similar language, supporting that the proposal was actively considered in Congress, but the text alone does not show final enactment.

partial same_term A for effort

Text - S.5335 - Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024 | Congress.gov
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 92%

EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.— ... OPTION FOR PURCHASING THROUGH DOD ... more than 20 percent of the cost of the commod- ... partment of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable ...

A 2026 Congressional Record discussion shows the idea remains under congressional consideration, but the excerpt does not establish that it was enacted or implemented.

unresolved later_term A for effort

CREC-2026-04-29.pdf
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 72%

USDA provides 100% American-grown USDA Foods and administrative funds to states to operate TEFAP. ... See what fruits, vegetables, legumes, proteins, dairy, grains, and soups are available through TEFAP.

Current USDA TEFAP program page confirms ongoing state administration and USDA Foods support, but does not indicate the specific 20% DoD Fresh allocation authority has been adopted.

unresolved unknown

The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Food and Nutrition Service
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 74%

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service partners with the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) Produce Business Unit to buy and distribute fresh fruits and vegetables to schools using the USDA's federal commodity entitlement dollars.

Confirms the federal DoD Fresh mechanism exists, but it is framed around schools rather than TEFAP state allocations, so it does not verify the pledge’s specific TEFAP change.

unresolved unknown

Food Distribution | USDA
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 70%

TEFAP ... permitted each State to convert up to 20 percent of TEFAP food funds to administrative funds.

The budget justification shows a 20% TEFAP conversion authority for administrative funds, which is different from the claim’s DoD Fresh allocation idea and therefore does not prove delivery of the promise.

unresolved unknown

2026 USDA Explanatory Notes - Food and Nutrition Service
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 78%