“To address infrastructure needs for food banks serving rural communities and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section revises the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) infrastructure grants program by (1) designating the state agency identified in the state plan under 7 U.S.C. 7503 (rather than an emergency feeding organization) as the grant recipient, which in turn distributes funds to support activities of emergency feeding organizations; (2) prioritizing grant applications that serve Tribal, low-income, and remote communities (previously, rural communities); (3) expanding allowable uses to include equipment needed to safely and efficiently distribute food to people in need (previously, tracking time-sensitive products), commodities from sources other than USDA (previously, time-sensitive and perishable products), mobile and home delivery options and outreach studies (in addition to improving access throughout the United States), governmental and Tribal entities (in addition to nonprofits), underserved areas identified in the new priorities (previously, rural areas), and renovation of facilities (previously, construction), while capping administrative costs at 10% of the grant; and (4) increasing annual funding to $25 million for FY2026 through 2030 (from $15 million through 2023). (EFAP provides USDA commodities to states for distribution by emergency feeding organizations to low-income individuals and households.)
This section directs the Secretary of Agriculture, not later than two years after the date of enactment, to complete a study and submit a report on shortages in refrigerated and frozen storage space, refrigerated trucks, and other delivery vehicles needed by emergency food organizations (i.e., public or nonprofit entities such as food banks and food pantries that provide nutrition assistance to relieve emergency distress, as defined in the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983) to meet total community food needs, including a national cost estimate to provide new coolers, freezers, refrigerated and dry trucks, and trailers. The section appropriates $1,000,000, to remain available until expended, to carry out this section.