Tommy Tuberville and Barry Moore reintroduce bill to make pecans and other nuts eligible for senior nutritional assistance program

March 27, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) and Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL01) are working to boost Alabama's agriculture community while making healthy foods more accessible for Alabama's more than 54,000 seniors by reintroducing the Farmers' Market Expansion Act. This bipartisan legislation would make pecans and other tree nuts eligible for the USDA's Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). The legislation would make tree nuts, including pecans and shelled nuts, available for participating seniors. AgriPulse first reported the bill's introduction.

Senator Tuberville said that passage of this legislation would be a huge win for both tree nut farmers and needy seniors.

"The Farmers' Market Expansion Act would be a huge win for both our seniors and tree nut farmers by making it easier for seniors to incorporate pecans into their diet," said Senator Tuberville. "Not only are pecans delicious, but they are a great source of nutrients needed for brain, bone, and heart health. I'm proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Moore to support Alabama's farmers and Americans seeking healthier lives. As Alabama's voice on the Senate Ag Committee, I'll continue advocating for Alabama's farmers and bringing important ag and nutritional priorities to the table."

U.S. Senator Ben Luján (D-New Mexico) joined Senator Tuberville in introducing the legislation. Congressman Moore is leading companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Adding tree nuts, especially shelled pecans, to the Seniors' Farmers' Market Nutrition Program benefits Alabama producers and seniors," said Rep. Moore. "Pecans are an important part of Alabama's agriculture, and we are hopeful this legislation creates competitive markets for our tree nut producers. I am proud to work alongside Senator Tuberville to deliver this much needed legislation for Alabama's farmers and the American people."

Senator Ben Ray Luján said on his X social media account, "I'm proud to introduce bipartisan legislation today to make pecans, pistachios, and other tree nuts eligible for USDA's Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. This will expand access to nutritious foods and support local farmers."

The Farmers' Market Expansion Act is endorsed by the National Pecan Federation, Southeastern Pecan Growers Association, Almond Alliance, American Pistachio Growers, California Walnut Commission, Alabama Pecan Growers Association (APGA), Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA), Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA).

Brian Futral is the President of the Alabama Pecan Growers Association (APGA).

"The attention to the pecan industry in Alabama continues to grow," said President Futral. "The opportunity for Pecans to be added to the Senior Market Nutrition Program would be a huge win for Alabama growers. The pecan nut has the highest amount of Antioxidants of any tree. The fit here is a benefit to all open additional market for growers provide high quality nutrition for seniors'. Thank you, Coach, for your focus and commitment to Alabama Farmers."

Rick Pate is the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.

"I'm grateful to Senator Tuberville for reintroducing the Farmers Market Expansion Act. Alabama is home to 170 farmers markets and 114 farm stands that would benefit from adding tree nuts to the Seniors' Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)," said Commissioner Pate. "Adding pecans to this program would provide our seniors with another healthy choice in addition to fresh produce, while also supporting Alabama's hardworking pecan growers. This would be a win for our farmers, for our seniors and for Alabama agriculture."

Alexi Rodriguez is the President and CEO of the Almond Alliance.

"The Almond Alliance supports Senator Tuberville and Representative Barry Moore's introduction of the Pecan and Tree Nut Producers Assistance Act, which would allow nutrient-dense, locally grown tree nuts-such as almonds-to be included in the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program," said President Rodriguez. "This bill supports both the health of low-income seniors and the economic vitality of almond growers. Including nutritious, locally grown tree nuts in the program benefits consumers and producers alike."

Larry Don Womack is the Chairman of the National Pecan Federation.

"The National Pecan Federation is proud to support the reintroduction of this legislation, which would include tree nuts in the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)," said Chairman Womack. "The inclusion of pecans in the SFMNP will expand the market for pecan producers across the country and increase consumer access to a healthy and delicious product. We appreciate the opportunity to include pecans in new local markets that will benefit seniors in our communities."

Justin Jones is the Chairman of the Southeastern Pecan Growers Association.

"The Southeastern Pecan Growers Association supports the reintroduction of the Farmers' Market Expansion Act, which would include access to local pecans for eligible seniors," said Chairman Jones. "This potential market is especially important to our smaller growers who are actively looking to place their pecan products in local and community-based markets. The passage of this bill would create success for pecan producers across the Southeast, while providing consumer access to a new, highly nutritious product."

The SFMNP provides fresh, nutritious, locally-grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey to eligible low-income seniors. These seniors must be 60 years of age or older and have a household income of no more than 185% of the federal poverty level. Eligible seniors can exchange coupons for program products at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs.

According to the USDA, in fiscal year 2022, the SFMNP had 757,751 seniors participate and 15,089 farmers sold products through the program across the country. Annual program benefits vary per state between $20 – $50 per year. There are over 54,000 eligible seniors in Alabama.

According to the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS), common tree nuts are considered almonds, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts. With this legislation, these tree nuts would be eligible for the SFMNP.

Alabama is one of the country's top pecan producers, ranking eighth nationally. There are over 762 pecan farmers in Alabama and 9,000 acres of pecan trees. These trees produce approximately 3 million pounds of pecans annually. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, Alabama pecan farmers harvested 7,276 pecan-bearing acres.

During Farm Bill listening sessions throughout Alabama last Congress, Senator Tuberville had outreach from several pecan growers who were seeking to add pecans to the farmers' market program. Pecan producers have had seniors seeking to purchase whole and shelled pecans through the program, but cannot due to current restrictions.