Release: Bipartisan House Bill Connects Local Farmers to Food Insecure Communities

Washington, DC, July 30, 2025 – On Tuesday, July 29, Representatives Robert Bresnahan (R-PA-8), David Valadao (R-CA-22), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1), Josh Riley (D-NY-19), Tony Wied (R-WI-8), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-4), Zachary Nunn (R-IA-3), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Eugene Vindman (D-VA-7), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), and Alma Adams (D-NC-12) introduced the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act (LFFC) of 2025 (H.R. 4782). The LFFC Act would establish and expand relationships between local producers and food distribution networks that create new market opportunities for farmers and improve community food security. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) applauds House champions for their practical approach to addressing local food insecurity. This bill would provide critical access to fresh, local foods while supporting a wide range of family farmers.

“The introduction of the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act demonstrates clear bipartisan, bicameral support for investing in local and regional supply chains nationwide. Allowing states and Tribes to make food purchases at the local level simply makes sense – it is efficient, keeps food dollars local, and families get fresh food they actually want,” commented Hannah Quigley, Policy Specialist with NSAC.

The LFFC Act creates a pathway for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into cooperative agreements with states and tribal governments to purchase unprocessed or minimally processed local food from small, mid-sized, beginning, or veteran fishers, farmers, and ranchers to distribute to organizations. These agreements will offer consistent purchasing opportunities for evolving local food distribution networks. It offers additional support for producers that may require technical assistance in food safety planning, training, and upgrades required to scale to new commercial wholesale markets.