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Food supply

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Address Military Food Insecurity in the US

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, a veteran and advocate for New Hampshire's servicemembers, veterans, and their families, has joined a bipartisan, bicameral coalition to introduce the Military Food Security Act of 2025. This legislation seeks to improve access to affordable and healthy food for military families, who are disproportionately affected by rising food costs. The Pentagon's findings and a recent study by the RAND Corporation demonstrate the pressing need for this bill, which aims to expand eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) by excluding the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from income calculations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Military Food Security Act of 2025 is a bipartisan, bicameral bill designed to address food insecurity among military families, with a focus on improving access to affordable and healthy food.
  • In 2020 and 2021, 24% of active duty servicemembers (approximately 286,800 personnel) experienced food insecurity.
  • A recent study by the RAND Corporation found that 25.8% of personnel in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard were food insecure.
  • The bill excludes the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from income calculations used to determine eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA).
  • This change would remove an unintended barrier preventing some military families from qualifying for food assistance.
  • Congresswoman Goodlander, a former intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve, is a strong advocate for the needs of New Hampshire's servicemembers and their families.
  • Goodlander co-founded the Lowering Costs Caucus to address the cost crisis affecting hardworking Americans and their families.

Statistics:

  • 24% of active duty servicemembers (approximately 286,800 personnel) experienced food insecurity in 2020 and 2021 (Source).
  • 25.8% of personnel in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard were food insecure (Source: RAND Corporation).
  • Over a quarter of people serving in the Armed Forces cannot afford to put food on the table (Congresswoman Goodlander's statement).

Sources:

  • Office of the MP Maggie Goodlander news release.
  • RAND Corporation study.
  • Pentagon report on food insecurity among active duty servicemembers.

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