McMorris Rodgers introduces bipartisan bill to direct food buying power to states

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) on May 5 introduced a bipartisan bill that would provide federal funding to states for targeted purchases of food from specific agricultural producers relying on markets affected by COVID-19 to connect local farms with local food banks.

“Washington farmers help provide food security to Washington state and the world, but right now, they are struggling with oversupply due to the loss of food service and other markets,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “Local leaders are going to know best how to help our struggling farmers and meet an important need at our food banks. We need to direct food purchasing funding to the state so they can be strategic in these efforts, and that’s what this legislation will do.”

Rep. McMorris Rodgers is the lead original cosponsor of the Farmers Feeding Families Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6725, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA) to provide additional funding to states to purchase goods from small and medium farmers and producers who have surplus crops that may be provided to food banks and food assistance programs facing increased demands, according to a bill summary provided by McMorris Rodgers’ office.

If enacted, H.R. 6725 also would provide funding for state agencies and their food bank partners to directly and immediately replenish their food stocks to meet increased demand, and allow states to support producers who may not normally participate in federal national purchase programs by purchasing surplus perishable foods at risk of going to waste, according to the summary.

Additionally, state agencies and food banks would be able to make such short-term food purchases through funding from federal commodity support funds, the summary says.

The legislation is supported by Feeding America, Northwest Harvest, the Washington State Farm Bureau, the Washington State Potato Commission, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) is introducing companion legislation in the Senate.