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Food supply

Strengthening Local Food Security Act Aims to Boost Economies and Feed Underserved Communities

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

United States Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Jim Justice (R-WV) have teamed up to introduce the Strengthening Local Food Security Act (S. 2338) to bolster the nation's food supply chain network, create economic opportunities for local farmers and food producers, and increase access to fresh, local nutritious food in underserved communities and schools. This bipartisan 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 aims to create a permanent grant program to support local economic development, strengthen the domestic agriculture supply chain, and combat food insecurity by providing fresh, nutritious, local food to underserved communities and schools.
  • The bill would leverage government procurement and purchasing power to increase access to locally-sourced, fresh, healthy, and nutritious food in underserved communities and schools, helping family farmers, fishermen, and local food producers grow their markets.
  • The proposal would support local economic development by creating new access to the hunger relief market for local farmers and fishermen, creating a new, reliable stream of orders for small, beginning, and underserved farmers, ranchers, and fishers.
  • The bill would help build local businesses that support durable and resilient local food systems, as well as provide fresh, nutritious, local food to underserved communities and schools.
  • The proposal 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 Farm Credit Council.
  • In Rhode Island, the bill is supported by several leading organizations, including the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Farm Fresh Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Food Policy Council.

Statistics:

  • Over 40 percent of people in Rhode Island do not have enough to eat.
  • The number of people served by the Rhode Island Community Food Bank has increased, making legislation like the Strengthening Local Food Security Act critical for addressing the issue of food insecurity in the state.
  • The National Farmers Union and Farm Credit Council support the bill, representing a significant portion of the country's agricultural industry.
  • The Farm Credit Council applauds the Senators for their leadership in introducing the Strengthening Local Food Security Act, recognizing the bill as a strategic investment in American agriculture.

Sources:

  • United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
  • United States Senator from West Virginia Jim Justice
  • National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
  • National Farmers Union
  • National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
  • Farm Credit Council
  • Rhode Island Community Food Bank
  • Farm Fresh Rhode Island
  • Rhode Island Food Policy Council
  • Christy Seyfert, President and CEO, Farm Credit Council
  • Melissa Cherney, incoming CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank
  • Nessa Richman, Network Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council
  • Jesse Rye, Executive Director of Farm Fresh Rhode Island

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