Bipartisan Senate Bill Aims to Expand Food Bank Produce Access

Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) are introducing legislation aimed at expanding food banks’ access to fresh produce while supporting specialty crop farmers.

The bill, which was obtained by Bloomberg Government, would allow states to redirect up to 20% of federal Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) funding toward produce through the USDA Department of Defense’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Called the “Fresh Produce for Families Act,” the bill intends to give food banks and states greater flexibility to provide fresh fruits and vegetables at no additional cost.

“California is the number one specialty ...