Exclusive: Bipartisan Senate Bill Aims to Expand Food Bank Produce Access

Bloomberg

Exclusive: Bipartisan Senate Bill Aims to Expand Food Bank Produce Access

Rachel Umansky-Castro, Reporter

Summary by Bloomberg AI

• Sens. Adam Schiff and Cindy Hyde-Smith are introducing the "Fresh Produce for Families Act" to expand food banks' access to fresh produce and support specialty crop farmers.
• The bill would allow states to redirect up to 20% of federal Emergency Food Assistance Program funding toward produce through the USDA Department of Defense's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
• The legislation aims to give food banks and states greater flexibility to provide fresh fruits and vegetables at no additional cost, and has drawn support from major agricultural and produce groups.

Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) are introducing legislation aimed at expanding food banks' access to fresh produce while supporting specialty crop farmers.

The bill, which was obtained by Bloomberg Government, would allow states to redirect up to 20% of federal Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) funding toward produce through the USDA Department of Defense's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Called the "Fresh Produce for Families Act," the bill intends to give food banks and states greater flexibility to provide fresh fruits and vegetables at no additional cost.

"California is the number one specialty ...

"California is the number one specialty crop grower in the country, growing nearly half of the nation's vegetables and over three-quarters of the country's fruits and nuts," Schiff said in a statement. "I'm proud to partner with Senator Hyde-Smith to deliver more fresh produce to food banks to ensure families can access healthy food, and to create additional business opportunities for specialty crop growers."

Hyde-Smith emphasized the local benefits for producers and communities.

"It just makes sense to allow food banks to have more access to fruits and vegetables grown within their borders, " she said in a statement. "I like the notion that fresh produce grown by Mississippi farmers can be put to good use at home, which is good for producers, food banks, and the people they serve."

The legislation has drawn support from major agricultural and produce groups, including the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, the International Fresh Produce Association, Western Growers Association, and California Farm Bureau. It was previously included in a House-passed farm bill on a bipartisan basis.