The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture says new bipartisan legislation could improve middle-of-the-supply chain breakdowns for producers.
Director of Public Policy Becky Garrison Werfel tells Brownfield addressing gaps throughout the food system builds a stronger domestic industry for small and mid-sized farmers.
“The momentum that we see right now with MAHA and hospitals and schools, how can we actually include and introduce more of our domestic, local, and regional farmers into that marketplace?—This bill really addresses that,” she says.
She says the American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act would allow for annual investments in necessary improvements through the USDA’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program and establish Regional Food Systems Hubs across the U.S.
“That can support across state lines, help with that coordination, that streamlining of federal resources, finances, business and economic development support to agribusinesses and food businesses, and really actually being a connector beyond those state lines or those local areas,” she explains.
Garrison Werfel says she hopes the legislation will be included in the next farm bill to help farmers remain competitive and expand market opportunities.
Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota is a cosponsor.
