NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Hyde-Smith, Klobuchar, Justice Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Food Supply Chain

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Jim Justice (R-Va.) introduced the American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act, new bipartisan legislation to strengthen resilience in our domestic food supply chains and expand markets for producers. This bill comes as farmers across the U.S. face enormous uncertainty in their ability to grow and sell products and as input costs continue to rise. “Our family farmers need more opportunities in today’s global agricultural markets. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation alongside Senators Hyde-Smith, Klobuchar, and Justice to strengthen our food supply chains and create new markets for small and mid-sized producers, expanding opportunities so that farmers have a means of selling their products to more places and consumers have more options,” said Senator Schiff. “Making the RSFI permanent will give states greater certainty to make long-term investments that strengthen food supply chains and benefit producers and consumers. Mississippi has been very effective in using its RFSI grants statewide to build out pathways to get food our producers grow from farm to market.  The RFSI, combined with the regional hubs, provides the incentives for producers and policymakers to do what needs to be done to get more locally produced agricultural products a broader market,” said Senator Hyde-Smith. “At a time when farmers and ranchers are facing increased uncertainty, it is more important than ever to bolster support for local and regional food systems, increase producers’ access to domestic markets, and strengthen our supply chain resiliency. The bipartisan American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act will build upon and create new market opportunities for agricultural producers in Minnesota and across the country,” said Senator Klobuchar . “We have to bolster the whole food supply chain to make sure it works for our farmers; if we don’t have the middle of the road folks, everyone else falls off the sides. The American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act is a common-sense win that gets under the hood to do just that and to help build domestic markets for local and regional food systems. It gives our incredible producers more stability and allows folks to continue feeding and strengthening America,” said Senator Justice . Global events like the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the harms of a consolidated food supply chain. Creating new markets for local and regional foods as well as for small and diversified producers is essential to cultivating a more resilient, competitive supply chain. The American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act would: Make the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) permanent at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to build resilience in the middle of the supply chain. This would provide more and diversified markets to farms and food businesses and support the development of value-added products for consumers. Under RFSI, states will receive money to then subaward to farmers and food businesses. This funding would then be used by producers and farm businesses to obtain equipment, develop their supply chain infrastructure, and strengthen supply chain coordination and targeted market development services for local and regional products. Establish the Regional Food Systems Hubs Program (RFSH) at USDA to create at least 10 regional hubs to expand technical assistance so farmers can receive support and services to grow their businesses across the country. Codifying these programs will benefit consumers, producers, and rural communities by providing more options, increasing access, and creating new and more markets for small and mid-sized producers. The bill has been endorsed by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), American Farmland Trust (AFT), and National Farmers Union. “NASDA applauds the introduction of the American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act and supports its efforts to codify the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program and to establish the Resilient Food Systems Hubs program. These investments will strengthen regional food systems by expanding and diversifying domestic market access for farmers, improving supply chain resilience, supporting farm viability, and increasing procurement opportunities for institutions like schools and hospitals. NASDA commends Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith, Adam Schiff, Jim Justice, and Amy Klobuchar for their bipartisan leadership in advancing this important legislation. NASDA urges swift passage to ensure the long-term resilience and stability for American farmers, supply chains, and communities,” said Ted McKinney, CEO of NASDA. “This important legislation will help farmers access new markets, keep working lands in production, and create economic opportunities in communities across the country,” said John Piotti, President of American Farmland Trust (AFT). “AFT applauds Senators Schiff, Hyde-Smith, Klobuchar, and Justice for this practical, bipartisan approach to strengthening regional food systems and ensuring the long-term viability of American agriculture. When farms thrive, America thrives.” The full text of the legislation can be found here. ###