By Blake Jackson
U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) has introduced new legislation aimed at facilitating the donation of excess produce from local farmers to food banks, helping to reduce food waste and support those in need.
The proposed Farm to Food Bank Reauthorization Act seeks to extend and enhance the Farm to Food Bank Program, originally established by Casey in the 2018 Farm Bill.
This program reimburses farmers for the costs associated with harvesting, packaging, processing, and transporting donated food to food banks.
With grocery prices rising and putting pressure on Pennsylvania families' budgets, this legislation is designed to sustain a vital program that provides access to nutritious food for families while also benefiting farmers financially.
Senator Casey commented, “Every day, Pennsylvania farmers do their part to make sure that families throughout the Commonwealth have enough to eat. This bill is a commonsense solution that makes sure farmers get compensated, families are fed, and good, nutritious food doesn’t go to waste. I fought for this program in the last Farm Bill and we owe it to our farmers, families, and communities to extend it.”
The Farm to Food Bank Program currently supports 27 states, helping farmers offset the costs of donating surplus produce. The reauthorization act aims to boost the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS), enhancing support for farmers who link surplus food with those in need.
This proposed legislation would extend the program through 2029, increase funding, and provide greater flexibility, creating new pathways for farmers to contribute to food banks while reducing the financial burden on participating states.
Senator Casey has been a strong advocate for improving food access and supporting farmers. Earlier this year, he secured $7.03 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), benefiting nearly 7 million individuals.
Additionally, he led the Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act and introduced the bipartisan Wise Investment in our Children (WIC) Act.
In 2023, he also proposed the Senior Nutrition Task Force Act and the Tools for Ensuring Access to Meals (TEAM) Act to address food insecurity among older adults and disabled individuals.
Since the 2018 Farm Bill, Casey has worked to enhance support for Pennsylvania farmers through investments in climate-smart agriculture and operational cost reduction.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program has provided over 700 million meals nationwide between 2022 and 2023, with Pennsylvania receiving $222,819 in reimbursements from the Farm to Food Bank Program this year.
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Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy