Federal bill would provide relief for farm families

Legislation recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) would provide additional funding to allow the purchase of goods from small and medium farms and producers to be given to food banks and food assistance programs.

The Farmers Feeding Families – Coronavirus Response Act would allow states to purchase surplus perishable foods at risk of going to waste from producers who normally do not participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s national purchase programs, provide funding for state agencies and food-bank partners to directly and immediately replenish their food stocks, and use federal funding to buy food from producers who rely on local agricultural markets.

State agencies and food banks would make short-term food purchases using federal commodity support funds.

“As farmers and communities across Pennsylvania and the country face the devastating realities of disrupted supply chains and growing food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must do everything we can to bridge the gap between the farmers who have lost key markets and the families struggling to access the food they need,” Casey said.

The bill has the support of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Feeding Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Center for Dairy Excellence, Feeding America, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House.