Reed & Justice Introduce Bipartisan Local Food Security Act

U.S. Sens. Reed & Justice introduce bipartisan legislation to boost economic opportunities for farmers, fishermen, & producers while tackling food insecurity by increasing access to local, fresh, nutritious food in schools & underserved communities

By Sen. Jack Reed’s office, July 22, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to strengthen the nation’s food supply chain network, bolster economic opportunities for local farmers and food producers, and increase access to fresh, local nutritious food in underserved communities and schools, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Jim Justice (R-WV) teamed up to introduce the Strengthening Local Food Security Act (S. 2338).

This new bill would create a permanent grant program for state and tribal governments to procure local foods for distribution to nearby hunger relief programs and schools.

The bipartisan proposal would leverage government procurement and purchasing power to increase access to locally-sourced, fresh, healthy, and nutritious food in underserved communities and schools and in turn, help family farmers, fishermen, and local food producers grow their markets. This grant program would:

• Support local economic development by creating new access to the hunger relief market for local farmers and fishermen, creating a new, reliable stream of orders for small, beginning, and underserved farmers, ranchers, and fishers, giving these businesses the financial security to invest and further expand.
• Strengthen our domestic agriculture supply chain by investing in local food distribution. The bill would help build local businesses that support durable and resilient local food systems.
• Combat food insecurity by providing fresh, nutritious, local food to underserved communities and schools, feeding more families and helping ease the strain on the hunger relief system.

“Food prices are up and food banks are experiencing rising demand. We’ve got to feed those in need. The Strengthening Local Food Security Act makes family farmers and fishermen part of the solution, putting fresh, healthy food on the table in a cost-effective manner that strengthens the local economy too,” said Senator Jack Reed. “This bill will feed students and families and plant seeds of economic development for farmers, fishermen, and others throughout the nation’s food supply chain.”

“In West Virginia, we know the value of hard work and locally grown food. The Strengthening Local Food Security Act helps our farmers, ranchers, and fishermen get more of their local food onto more tables. It puts money back into our communities and keeps people fed. That’s a win-win all around. I look forward to working to get this done for our local producers, food banks, and schools,” Senator Jim Justice said.

The Strengthening Local Food Security Act is supported by a wide range of farmers, food hubs, coalitions, and business networks from across the country, including the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, National Farmers Union, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and the Farm Credit Council.

In Rhode Island, the bill is supported by several leading organizations, including: the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Farm Fresh Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Food Policy Council.

“At a time when we’re serving more people than ever before, this type of legislation is critical, both for Rhode Island families and for our state’s economy. The RI Community Food Bank is honored to support Senator Reed’s bill,” said Melissa Cherney, incoming CEO of the RI Community Food Bank.

“It’s always a good time to invest in Rhode Island’s farmers. This bill will increase fairness by opening valuable wholesale markets to our smaller-scale producers. Even better, it does so while supporting the state’s economy and feeding our communities,” said Nessa Richman, Network Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council.

“Over 40 percent of people in Rhode Island do not have enough to eat. This bill helps to address that issue by partnering with local farmers as part of the solution. Farm Fresh RI is excited by the opportunity to strengthen the agricultural supply chain, support local economic development and provide nutritious food to children and food insecure families,” said Jesse Rye, Executive Director of Farm Fresh RI.

“Farm Credit applauds Senators Reed and Justice for their leadership in introducing the Strengthening Local Food Security Act of 2025. This bill is a strategic investment in American agriculture—supporting farmers, strengthening supply chains, and helping schools and communities access locally produced food. This bill will help boost regional economies and improve food security across the country,” said Christy Seyfert, President and CEO, Farm Credit Council.

Read the original press release here.

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Providence, RI, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank (“the Food Bank” or “RI Food Bank”) serves as the central hub for food distribution across its state-wide network of 147 member agencies/food pantries, ensuring that nutritious food reaches those who need it most. Through donations, federal programs, and community partnerships, the Food Bank works to improve the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders by advancing solutions to the problem of hunger.

The RI Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Rhode Island Community Food Bank │ 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence RI 02907 │ (401) 942-6325 (main) │ rifoodbank.org

Each September during Hunger Action Month, food banks across the country raise awareness of the problem of hunger and the far-reaching impact it has on our communities. This year, the need in our state is especially dire. Each month 82,600 people visit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank’s member agencies – 50% more than before the pandemic. The demand for food assistance in Rhode Island is the highest it has ever been, and the Food Bank is struggling to keep up. Many shelves are empty in the Food Bank’s warehouse as food is rapidly distributed to member food pantries, which are experiencing high numbers and long lines.

In Fiscal Year 2024 (July 2023 – June 2024), the Food Bank distributed 18.3 million pounds of food, up from 16.2 million pounds the previous year. With the cost of food remaining high and the cost of housing skyrocketing, families and individuals are visiting our member pantries in droves – many for the first time.

“We’re at a point where we have to sound the alarm,” shared Andrew Schiff, Food Bank CEO. “We need the public to be aware that it’s their donations that help us keep our shelves stocked and provide a reliable source of healthy, culturally relevant food to our pantries and meal sites so that no one is turned away.”

The Food Bank distributes food through the non-profit’s state-wide network of 147 member agencies, who in turn make it available in their communities. Food is acquired, thanks to the support of generous donors, through donations, purchases, and government commodities. Currently the largest percentage of the food distributed is purchased from wholesalers and distributors to keep up with the demand for food assistance, and to ensure there is enough fresh produce and culturally relevant food items to meet the needs of diverse food pantry guests across the state.

The East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) is among the pantries, meal sites and senior programs that receive food from the Food Bank. “It’s an absolutely unprecedented time coming off a global pandemic where we talk about being in the recovery phase. The reality is, many Rhode Islanders have not recovered,” said Rilwan K. Feyisitan, Jr., President & Chief Executive Officer at EBCAP. Feyisitan also sits on the Food Bank’s board of directors.

“One of the most alarming things we’ve seen recently is people who used to be donors coming in for services. We’re seeing immense issues with housing insecurity among our clients, which goes hand in hand with food insecurity. Housing always eats first.”

Food Bank CEO, Andrew Schiff spoke to WPRI news about the impact and how the Food Bank is helping to meet the demand.