Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), both members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, introduced new legislation to increase food banks' access to fresh produce. This bill seeks to provide nutritious food for American families and support specialty crop farmers.

"California is the number one specialty crop grower in the country, growing nearly half of the nation's vegetables and over three-quarters of the country's fruits and nuts. I'm proud to partner with Senator Hyde-Smith to deliver more fresh produce to food banks to ensure families can access healthy food, and to create additional business opportunities for specialty crop growers," said Senator Schiff.

"It just makes sense to allow food banks to have more access to fruits and vegetables grown within their borders, especially since the USDA already has a system in place that can benefit local food banks. I like the notion that fresh produce grown by Mississippi farmers can be put to good use at home, which is good for producers, food banks, and the people they serve," said Senator Hyde-Smith.

The Fresh Produce for Families Act would increase the access that food banks have to fresh produce by allowing states the option to utilize up to 20% of Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) dollars to be invested in fresh produce through the USDA Department of Defense's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (USDA DoD Fresh). Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides TEFAP funds to each state, solicits food orders from states, and then delivers food to the food banks. Under this system, states can request certain items from USDA's approved commodity list, most of which are nonperishable and lacking fresh fruits and vegetables. Through this bill, states and food banks will have increased flexibility to provide fresh fruits and vegetables without incurring any additional costs.

The bill has been endorsed by the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, International Fresh Produce Association, Western Growers Association, and California Farm Bureau.

This legislation was adopted in the House-passed Farm Bill on a bipartisan basis earlier this year.

Background: Schiff is the first senator from California to serve on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry in over 30 years. Earlier this month, Schiff introduced six new pieces of legislation aimed at expanding support and market access for specialty crop farmers and to level the playing field for California growers in the upcoming Farm Bill. Senator Schiff also recently outlined his priorities for the next Farm Bill and his plans to push for a bill that advances economic opportunity, health, sustainability, national security, and prosperity. During the first year and a half of the Senator's term on the Senate Agriculture Committee, he has visited farms across the entirety of California, learning about the Golden State's countless agricultural industries, including strawberries, almonds, broccoli, celery, and leafy greens.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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