Bipartisan FEED Act reintroduced by Davis

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) recently reintroduced the bipartisan FEMA Empowering Essential Deliveries (FEED) Act to help feed needy Americans and throw a lifeline to restaurants and nonprofits impacted by the ongoing pandemic. 

“If this pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that we need to be innovative in how we respond to this crisis, and that’s exactly what the FEED Act does,” Rep. Davis said on Jan. 21.

If enacted, H.R. 321 would authorize the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve state, local and Indian tribal government plans to partner with small and mid-size restaurants and nonprofit organizations to provide nutritious meals to needy individuals and to waive certain matching fund requirements, according to the congressional record bill summary. Rep. Davis is an original cosponsor who joined bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) in introducing the bill on Jan. 13.

H.R. 321 would authorize the federal government to pay 100 percent of the cost to states and localities so that they can partner with restaurants and nonprofits to prepare nutritious meals for vulnerable populations, according to Rep. Davis’ office.

“This bill helps support our restaurant industry, which has been hit hard during this pandemic, in a way that’s never been done before,” said Rep. Davis. “By creating these partnerships between local governments and local restaurants, we can help get meals to people in need more quickly and help the food industry, which is a major employer and a critical part of our economy, during this difficult time.”

Reps. Davis and Thompson first introduced the bipartisan FEED Act in May 2020, but the bill stalled in committee, prompting its reintroduction in the 117th Congress earlier this month.

The FEED Act also has been included in President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 relief proposal, which is entitled the American Rescue Plan.