Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) to help build stronger connections between local producers and community food programs passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of this year’s Farm Bill.
The House on April 30 approved the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, H.R. 7567, with a 224-200 vote. The package includes Rep. Bresnahan’s Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act, H.R. 4782, which aims to expand markets and improve access to healthy food for those in need.
“I’m proud this final bill includes my bipartisan legislation to connect families in need with fresh food grown right here in our communities,” Rep. Bresnahan said. “This Farm Bill delivers real support for farmers here in northeastern Pennsylvania and across the country by addressing the challenges they’re facing and advancing practical, bipartisan solutions for our rural communities. We owe it to our farmers to make sure federal policy works as hard as they do.”
If enacted as part of the Farm Bill, H.R. 4782 would allow states, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to establish cooperative agreements connecting local farmers and producers with local food distribution organizations.
Through such agreements, funds would be used to purchase local, fresh, and minimally processed foods like seafood, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, fruit, and poultry, according to a bill summary provided by the congressman’s staff.
Additionally, H.R. 4782 would set aside a portion of these funds to purchase food specifically from small, mid-size, beginning, and veteran farmers, the summary says.
Rep. Bresnahan sponsored the bill in July 2025 alongside 11 original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. David Valadao (R-CA), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Zach Nunn (R-IA), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME).
The larger legislative package now heads to the U.S. Senate for action.