Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)
Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a longtime farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee, led a bipartisan group of her colleagues in introducing the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act to boost the purchasing and distribution of local food. The bill, co-led by Representatives Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.), David Valadao (R-Calif.), and Josh Riley (D-N.Y.), will help build stronger connections between local producers and community food programs, expanding markets and improving access to healthy food for those in need.
“When Trump’s USDA abruptly ended the Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools programs, it pulled the rug out from under farmers, food banks, and schools across the country—including in Maine. These were proven tools for strengthening local food supply chains, supporting small producers, and getting healthy, locally grown food to hungry families,” said Rep. Pingree. “Our bipartisan Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act restores and improves on that successful model. It’s a practical, community-driven solution that invests in our nation’s farmers, builds regional resilience, and fights hunger.”
The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act will allow states, through USDA, to establish cooperative agreements connecting local farmers and producers with local food distribution organizations. Through these agreements, funds will be used to purchase local, fresh, and minimally processed foods like seafood, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, fruit, and poultry. The bill also sets aside a portion of these funds to purchase food specifically from small, mid-size, beginning, and veteran farmers. Text can be found here.
“Far too often the discussion around alleviating hunger leaves out those who grow, raise, and produce food – our local farmers. Reducing the barriers between our communities and the farmers who produce our food is a commonsense approach to ensure everyone in Northeast Pennsylvania has access to the food they need.” said Rep. Bresnahan. “This bill recognizes the hard work that is needed to supply fresh and nutritious food like fruit, veggies, milk, and cheese, while also creating a clear path to putting this food on the plates of people who need it. This investment in our local farmers is an investment in stronger local food security and healthier communities.”
“The Central Valley grows the food that feeds our nation, and this bill gives us a chance to connect our farmers directly with local families and food banks to deliver healthy, homegrown food where it’s needed most,” said Rep. Valadao. “The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act is a bipartisan effort that invests in our farmers and communities, and I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in support.”
“It doesn’t get more common sense than fighting hunger by supporting local farmers,” said Rep. Riley. “This is about putting food on the tables of people who need it most, and investing directly in the family farmers who power our rural communities.”
Original cosponsors include Tony Wied (R-Wisc.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Eugene Vindman (D-Va.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), and Alma Adams (D-N.C.).
“Iowa farmers work hard to grow high-quality, nutritious food. This bill helps ensure local families, schools, and food banks can afford the fresh produce grown right here in our communities,” said Rep. Nunn. “I’m proud to back a plan that strengthens our food system, supports small producers and veterans, and expands access to healthy, Iowa-grown meals.”
“This legislation supports a program with a proven record of increasing access to the fresh fruits and vegetables our farmers work hard to produce,” said Rep. Newhouse. “It cuts down on food waste, supplies local schools and food banks with produce, and ensures that those who need food can get it. I thank Rep. Bresnahan for his leadership on this legislation as we work to strengthen our food system and expand access to healthy food across the country.”
“I’m proud to join this bipartisan bill to support our Illinois family farmers and help my constituents access nutritious, locally-grown food,” said Rep. Budzinski. “In Central and Southern Illinois, the Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools have been a win-win-win for growers and producers, food banks, and schools. It was a major setback when these initiatives were abruptly cancelled. The Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act would restore these successful programs that are a proven way to fight hunger, strengthen the food supply chain, and bolster the local agricultural economy.”
“As the only Virginian on the House Agriculture Committee, I know the Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools programs are essential for our farmers and the families they feed across the Seventh. When the Trump Administration suddenly ended both, it caused a ripple effect — hurting local farmers, schools, and food banks across the Commonwealth and the United States. This cannot stand,” said Rep. Vindman. “Earlier this year, I met with Eugene Triplett at his fifth-generation, Black-owned family farm in Culpeper. He told me directly that these programs helped him get healthy, locally grown food to hungry kids and families. I will always work to deliver for Virginia families and farmers like Eugene.”
The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act is endorsed by the Feeding America, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), National Farmers Union (NFU), Save the Children, Full Plates Full Potential, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), and more.
“Maine’s food system has been hit hard over the past few months due to the instability created by changing government policies and cuts to established food programs, like the Local Food for Schools program which helped schools buy local food from local farms,” said Anna Korsen, Deputy Director of Full Plates Full Potential. “We know children go hungry when household and school budgets get squeezed, so Full Plates welcomes the Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act and the potential it has to build on what Maine does best – community solutions to community problems.”
“The Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act recognizes and advances the work of thousands of farmers and proponents nationally who have worked to bolster the resiliency of our local food system and Nation’s food supply chain,” Colleen Hanlon-Smith of Farm to Neighbor Maine. “We applaud Congresswoman Pingree for her work to advance this Act. Both LFPA and LFS offered an opportunity for the federal government and the public’s tax dollars to strategically inject funding at the intersection of local food access and farm viability. These were not only incredibly successful programs but critical to shifting the needle on food security by ensuring economic investments locally, to the benefit of our Nation’s farmers, food insecure citizens and local communities.”
“The proposed bill would be a win for both local farmers and families facing hunger,” said Heather Paquette, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “By prioritizing the purchase of local foods and partnering with organizations that have deep experience in food distribution, we can ensure that nutritious food reaches the people who need it most, all while strengthening local economies.”
“As Executive Director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, I strongly support the Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act because it uplifts the hardworking farmers and food producers who nourish our communities every day,” said Sarah Alexander, Executive Director of MOFGA. “By investing in cooperative agreements that build local food infrastructure and markets, this Act empowers states and Tribal governments to create resilient, community-based food systems. It’s a smart, values-driven approach that strengthens local economies, improves food access, and ensures a healthier, more sustainable future for all.”
“Maine has spent the last two decades building strong, innovative programs to support small farms and connect local producers with their communities. This legislation will help strengthen that foundation, ensuring we continue to grow, adapt, and meet the evolving needs of both farmers and families,” said Jimmy DeBiasi, Executive Director of the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets. “If we’re serious about making America healthier, we have to start with what we’re eating. This bill recognizes that feeding people nutritious, locally grown food is not just good policy—it’s a smart investment in public health and our agricultural future.”
“This legislation benefits family farmers and the communities they feed,”said Rob Larew, President of National Farmers Union. “It strengthens local food systems, expands economic opportunity, and builds more resilient farms.”
“PFB appreciates Representative Bresnahan (R-PA-08) championing legislation that will expand our farmers’ market opportunities, reduce food waste, and get locally grown food to American families’ tables,” said Chris Hoffman, President, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. “The Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act exemplifies the importance of cherishing the hard work that goes into producing food and not wanting to waste it, while providing less fortunate consumers with local options that provide them with the opportunity to support their local farmers. This is a win-win piece of legislation for all involved, and we look forward to working with Congress to advance it.”
“Fresh produce, dairy, and protein are some of the most requested items across the charitable food network,” said Julie Bancroft, CEO, Feeding Pennsylvania. “This bill will strengthen the farm-to-food bank supply chain, create new markets for farmers, and ensure food bank shelves are stocked with locally grown, nutritious food products that help Pennsylvanians access the food they need to thrive. Feeding Pennsylvania is pleased to see the introduction of this important legislation and looks forward to working with our members of Congress as it moves through the legislative process.”
“We commend Representatives Rob Bresnahan, R-PA, Josh Riley, D-NY, David Valadao, R-CA, and Chellie Pingree, D-ME, for their bipartisan Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act,” said the National Milk Producers Federation. “This bill will provide an additional pipeline for dairy farmers to provide their communities with nutritious milk and dairy products. We especially thank the sponsors for ensuring that farmer-owned cooperatives are eligible to participate in this important food security initiative and look forward to working to enact this legislation.”
“Our nation’s farmers are a key part of the nutritious food provided to community members through local food banks and pantries,” said Vince Hall, Chief of Government Relations Officer, Feeding America. “Farmers have worked in partnership with Feeding America food banks for over half a century. The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act would increase resources for states to support local growers and ensure their nutritious food is connected with community members through local organizations like food banks. Feeding America supports the introduction of this legislation and encourages members of Congress to endorse this bipartisan bill that helps farmers and food banks.”
“The bipartisan Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act makes meaningful investments in local and regional food systems by connecting small and mid-sized farmers to nearby communities, strengthening rural economies and advancing health-driven outcomes for consumers,” said Ted McKinney, CEO, NASDA. “NASDA supports this legislation led by U.S. House Representatives Bresnahan (PA) and Riley (NY) and urges the House to swiftly pass this bill.”
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