Adams, Markey Announce Bill to Build Healthier and More Sustainable Food System

WASHINGTON, DC-Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), Senior Member of the House Agriculture Committee, and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) introduced the Enabling Farmer, Food worker, Environmental, and Climate Targets through Innovative, Values-aligned, and Equitable (EFFECTIVE) Food Procurement Act, aimed at leveraging the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) purchasing power to build equity and sustainability in the Department's food purchases.

The EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Actupdates USDA food purchasing processes to:

• Increase support and market opportunities for small-scale and socially disadvantaged farmers;
• Expand healthy food choices;
• Address climate change and agriculture sustainability; and,
• Set targets for the USDA to purchase sustainable, equitably procured products.

The bill also establishes a $25 million pilot program to create a values-aligned USDA purchasing process and support market access for small-scale and underserved producers.

"Agriculture is about more than just crop prices-it's about sustainability, nutrition, equitable practices, and a strong supply chain that will keep our country fed for generations to come," said Congresswoman Adams."The EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Actdirects the USDA to use its considerable purchasing power to build a more sustainable agriculture system that's healthier for the planet, consumers, workers, and local farmers. I am proud to introduce this bill alongside Senator Markey because when our small-scale and underserved producers are empowered to succeed, everyone wins and our country becomes stronger because of it."

"As families across the country gather around the dinner table this holiday season, we are reminded that food is much more than what we see on our plate. It is the labor of our farmers, the health of our environment, and the binding of our communities." said Senator Markey."In a time of rising food grocery prices and an administration that has failed to support American farmers, the EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act would prioritize food purchases that align with values of a food system that is healthy for the planet, for workers, and for consumers."

The EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act would:

• Direct USDA to use its existing framework for food procurement to expand healthy, sustainable, and ethical food options for school districts and other program beneficiaries, including setting measurable, maximum targets for increasing equitable and environmentally friendly purchasing;
• Shift USDA away from evaluating bids based only on cost to evaluating bids based on multiple values, including climate mitigation, worker well-being, resilient supply chains, and equity;
• Create new transparency in USDA purchasing by requiring reporting on the procurement process, including an estimate of associated greenhouse gas emissions;
• Provide grants and technical assistance to support small-scale and underserved producers and businesses in accessing market opportunities through USDA's procurement; and,
• Study how USDA can shift its procurement toward a regional model and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with food procurement.

The EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act is endorsed by 155 organizations. The full list of endorsing organizations can be found here.

"USDA's purchasing practices concentrate power among a small number of multinational corporations, sideline independent and sustainable producers, and restrict healthy, sustainably sourced offerings for schools, food banks, and other program beneficiaries," said Lisa Gonzalez, Senior Food and Climate Policy Analyst at Friends of the Earth U.S. "Thank you to Representative Adams and Senator Markey for introducing this important legislation to realign USDA's commodity food procurement to better support sustainable and independent producers, food system workers, and the millions of Americans who rely on USDA's commodity procurement."

"This legislation is a critical step toward creating fair and sustainable markets for Massachusetts farmers and the communities they serve. By prioritizing values-based purchasing and opportunities for integrating culturally preferred foods, USDA can open new opportunities for beginning farmers, immigrant farmers, and small-scale producers who are committed to growing healthy food and stewarding our environment. For organizations like New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, this means more support for local supply chains, increased purchasing from small, beginning, and socially disadvantaged farmers, stronger regional food systems, and a future where diverse farmers can thrive-not just survive. This bill ensures that federal food dollars reflect our shared values of equity, sustainability, and resilience," said Jennifer Hashley, Director, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project.

"Rural Coalition and our diverse membership have long recognized the value of a diversified, resilient agricultural system that often goes underrepresented in the federal government's usual one-size-fits-all approach to procurement," said Elliot Cordano, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at Rural Coalition. "We thank Senator Markey and Representative Adams for their leadership on this bill which reflects their commitment to the breadth of American agriculture. This Act provides USDA a unique opportunity to support our country's small- and mid-sized family farmers and ranchers; steward our natural resources; ensure fair practices and protections for workers throughout the supply chain; invest in thriving rural communities; and recognize the value that all producers bring to the table."

Bill text can be found here.