Bipartisan Bill Aims to Strengthen Local Food Security in Underserved Communities

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Jim Justice (R-WV) have introduced the Strengthening Local Food Security Act (S. 2338), a bipartisan bill aimed at bolstering the nation's food supply chain network, supporting local farmers and food producers, and increasing access to fresh, local nutritious food in underserved communities and schools. The bill creates a permanent grant program for state and tribal governments to procure local foods for distribution to nearby hunger relief programs and schools.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Strengthening Local Food Security Act would create a permanent grant program to support local economic development by creating new access to the hunger relief market for local farmers and fishermen.
  • The bill would strengthen the domestic agriculture supply chain by investing in local food distribution and help build local businesses that support durable and resilient local food systems.
  • The bill would combat food insecurity by providing fresh, nutritious, local food to underserved communities and schools, feeding more families and helping ease the strain on the hunger relief system.
  • The bill is supported by a wide range of farmers, food hubs, coalitions, and business networks from across the country, including the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, National Farmers Union, and the Farm Credit Council.
  • In Rhode Island, the bill is supported by organizations such as the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Farm Fresh Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Food Policy Council, which believe that the bill is critical for addressing food insecurity and supporting local farmers.

Statistics:

  • Over 40% of people in Rhode Island do not have enough to eat.
  • The bill aims to support local economic development by creating new access to the hunger relief market for local farmers and fishermen.
  • The bill would provide fresh, nutritious, local food to underserved communities and schools, feeding more families and helping ease the strain on the hunger relief system.

Sources:

  • Sen. Jack Reed, (D-Rhode Island) news release, July 22, [source not provided]
  • "Reed and Justice Introduce Bipartisan Strengthening Local Food Security Act", Reed Senate press release, [date not provided]
  • National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, [no date]
  • National Farmers Union, [no date]
  • National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, [no date]
  • Farm Credit Council, [no date]
  • Melissa Cherney, incoming CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, [no date]
  • Nessa Richman, Network Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council, [no date]
  • Jesse Rye, Executive Director of Farm Fresh Rhode Island, [no date]
  • Christy Seyfert, President and CEO, Farm Credit Council, [no date]