Farmers Feeding America Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 3784

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-05: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Last Updated

2026-04-21T08:06:36Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Farmers Feeding America Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) by increasing the availability of commodities (such as food products) for distribution to low-income individuals through food banks and other organizations. It extends funding timelines, boosts resources for storage and infrastructure, and provides tailored support for geographically isolated areas to ensure equitable access to emergency food aid.

Key Provisions

• Extended Commodity Availability (Section 2): Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to extend commodity purchases and allocations for TEFAP through fiscal year 2030, including an annual allocation of $500 million for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
• Increased Storage and Distribution Funding (Section 3): Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to raise annual funding for TEFAP storage and distribution from $100 million to $200 million.
• Extended Infrastructure Grants (Section 4): Extends eligibility for TEFAP infrastructure grants (for equipment and facilities) through 2030.
• Support for Geographically Isolated States (Section 5):
• Defines "geographically isolated states" to include Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.
• Allows these areas to request alternative delivery options, such as coordination with the Department of Defense's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
• Permits up to 20% of allocated commodities' value to be provided as cash for direct purchase of domestically grown food.
• For fresh produce packages, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to consider factors like product variety and transportation distance (beyond just the lowest price) to maximize nutritious food availability.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Extends key deadlines from 2023 to 2030 for commodity availability, infrastructure grants, and related funding, providing long-term stability to TEFAP.
• Introduces new annual funding of $500 million specifically for commodities from 2026 to 2030, building on prior allocations.
• Doubles storage and distribution funding from $100 million to $200 million annually.
• Adds specific accommodations for isolated states, including cash transfers for local procurement and flexible bidding for fresh produce, which were not previously detailed in the laws.
• Shifts procurement criteria for fresh produce to prioritize nutrition and practicality over solely cost, promoting better quality and accessibility.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will manage higher spending (potentially over $3 billion in new commodity funds alone through 2030) and coordinate more complex logistics, including with the Department of Defense, which could strain budgets but improve program efficiency.
• On Citizens: Low-income individuals, especially in food-insecure or remote areas, will benefit from increased access to nutritious emergency food, potentially reducing hunger and improving health outcomes. Isolated states like Hawaii and Alaska may see faster, more reliable deliveries.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though emphasis on domestically grown food could indirectly support U.S. agriculture without affecting trade.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: Primarily the USDA, which administers TEFAP, and secondarily the Department of Defense for delivery support.
• State and Territorial Governments: Especially geographically isolated ones (e.g., Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico), which gain flexibility in food procurement and distribution.
• Non-Profit and Community Organizations: Food banks, pantries, and emergency feeding programs that receive and distribute commodities, benefiting from enhanced funding and infrastructure.
• Farmers and Agricultural Producers: Increased commodity purchases could boost demand for U.S.-grown foods, supporting rural economies.
• Low-Income Populations: Direct beneficiaries through expanded access to free or low-cost nutritious food.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens existing federal nutrition assistance frameworks without creating new programs, ensuring compliance with appropriations processes. The cash transfer option (up to 20%) introduces flexibility but requires USDA oversight to prevent misuse, potentially leading to new administrative rules.
• Constitutional: No apparent challenges; aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I to promote general welfare through food security. It respects federalism by allowing state-specific adaptations.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) signals broad support for anti-hunger initiatives. Increases federal spending on social programs, which could spark debates on fiscal priorities amid budget constraints, but promotes agricultural interests, appealing to rural constituencies. Long-term extensions reduce uncertainty for stakeholders, fostering program sustainability.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]

Cosponsors (28)

Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-05: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2025-06-05: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-05: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Farmers Feeding America Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (5 pages)