Collapse to view only § 3003. Survey
- § 3001. Congressional statement of purpose
- § 3002. Definitions
- § 3003. Survey
- § 3004. Direct marketing assistance within the States
- §§ 3005, 3006. Repealed.
- § 3007. Seniors farmers’ market nutrition program
It is the purpose of this chapter to promote, through appropriate means and on an economically sustainable basis, the development and expansion of direct marketing of agricultural commodities from farmers to consumers. To accomplish this objective, the Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter referred to as the “Secretary”) shall initiate and coordinate a program designed to facilitate direct marketing from farmers to consumers for the mutual benefit of consumers and farmers.
For purposes of this chapter, the term “direct marketing from farmers to consumers” shall mean the marketing of agricultural commodities at any marketplace (including, but not limited to, roadside stands, city markets, and vehicles used for house-to-house marketing of agricultural commodities) established and maintained for the purpose of enabling farmers to sell (either individually or through a farmers’ organization directly representing the farmers who produced the commodities being sold) their agricultural commodities directly to individual consumers, or organizations representing consumers, in a manner calculated to lower the cost and increase the quality of food to such consumers while providing increased financial returns to the farmers.
The Secretary shall provide, through the Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, or whatever agency or agencies the Secretary considers appropriate, an annual survey of existing methods of direct marketing from farmers to consumers in each State.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
In the implementation of this section, the Secretary shall take into account consumer preferences and needs which may bear upon the establishment and operation of arrangements for direct marketing from farmers to consumers.
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary of Agriculture shall use to carry out and expand the seniors farmers’ market nutrition program $20,600,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2023.
The value of any benefit provided to any eligible seniors farmers’ market nutrition program recipient under this section shall not be considered to be income or resources for any purposes under any Federal, State, or local law.
Each State shall ensure that no State or local tax is collected within the State on a purchase of food with a benefit distributed under the seniors farmers’ market nutrition program.
The Secretary may promulgate such regulations as the Secretary considers to be necessary to carry out the seniors farmers’ market nutrition program.
Section 1693o–2 of title 15 shall not apply to electronic benefit transfer systems established under this section.