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Farm Bill Reauthorization

August 2nd, 2024

Food boxes being distributed at food bank.

Every five years, a monumental piece of federal legislation known as the Farm Bill reshapes the landscape of American food and farming. This bill plays a critical role in determining people's access to healthy, nutritious food and significantly impacts the livelihoods of farmers across the nation. By dictating the types of crops that can be grown and the methods of cultivation, the Farm Bill influences every facet of our agricultural system.


This nonpartisan legislation is crucial for food banks as it funds the USDA, but more specifically, the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which is essential for providing food to numerous hunger relief programs. The bill aims to achieve three primary goals: maintaining affordable food prices for consumers and farmers, ensuring a sufficient food supply, and preserving our natural resources.


Farm Bill Fact Overview


  1. TEFAP helped the Feeding America Network of Community Partners provide over one billion meals in 2022.

  2. SNAP provides monthly benefits for over 40 million people through EBT cards.

  3. Food programs provide nutritious food to about 661,000 older adults with low incomes.

Farm Bill Fact Overview: 1 billion meals, TEFAP helped the Feeding America Network of Community Partners provide over 1 billion meals in 2022. 40 million people, SNAP provides monthly benefits for over 40 million people through EBT cards. 661,000 Older Adults, food programs provided nutritious food to about 661,0000 older adults with a low income.

FARSB urges Congress to support our nation’s original commitment to ending hunger by strengthening vital health and nutrition programs in the latest farm bill, benefiting seniors, children, families, active military, and many other vulnerable populations. This bill should include funds to support and expand program innovations implemented during the pandemic. It is also important that we support centering the conversation around alleviating hunger.


Farm Bill Support


The Farm Bill could strengthen just about every federally-funded nutrition program that aims to ease the strain or stress of hunger in each community across America. This chance comes around every five years, and we want you to take action with us!


Be an advocate for supporting the Farm Bill and help regain control against hunger and food insecurity within our community. Keep our funding that goes to vital food programs like TEFAP.


If you want to join the fight for better food and nutrition for the next five years, then there are multiple ways you can choose to take action!


How to Take Action


During August, Congress members are in their home states during an official recess period. This means that they are easier to connect with, are available for messaging, and are in your local area. Make your voice heard while your local Congress member is in the area by taking action:


Take Action: Urge Congress to expand CalFresh. Tell lawmakers to pass a strong farm bill to help out farmers and community members facing food insecurity. Tell congress to boost TEFAP and help end food insecurity in rural communities.

  1. Contacting your Congress members during the August Recess period is a major way to advocate for the Farm Bill support. Find your local representatives and write, email, and call them yourselves to voice support for funding that can make a difference in the Inland Empire.


2. Advocate by spreading the word to others about this important information. Share on

social media and get others to do the same.


3. Lastly, you can sign Feeding America National's petition yourself and make an official

statement of your support. Act now!


If you want to learn more about how to advocate for legislation that helps fund food banks like FARSB, read more on our Advocacy Blog at FeedingAmericaie.org/Advocacy

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