FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
31 July 2024
Contact: Kevin G. McGuire, 202-538-2386 (mobile)
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Yesterday, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) introduced the Feed the Community Act, a bill that would create tax deductions for businesses that donate food storage equipment and food transportation vehicles to non-profit organizations whose primary mission is to fight hunger in their communities.
Food banks and food pantries across America are experiencing increased demand for service, yet they have limited capacity and resources to serve communities in need. In 2022, over 44 million Americans were food insecure, or lacked access to affordable and nutritious foods. Food insecurity disproportionately harms senior citizens on fixed incomes, low-income households, and communities of color.
Food banks have seen an increased need for food assistance from their communities, which means with their current resources, food banks cannot serve the individuals who rely on them for food and other basic necessities,” said Rep. Barragán. “Almost a million Angelenos would go hungry if it wasn’t for the important work of food banks. That is why I am proud to introduce the Feed the Community Act, which incentivizes businesses to donate food storage equipment and food transport to food banks, and they can provide hunger-relief in their communities.”
“The Feed the Community Act encourages collaborative action from businesses to help in their own communities,” said Sammie Paul, Executive Director of FoodRecovery.org. “Our work is impossible without transportation, and with more food recovery trucks on the road, we can connect more surplus food to our neighbors in need.”
“The Feed the Community Act addresses a critical need for nonprofits by providing tax deductions for businesses that donate essential food storage equipment and vehicles,” said Michael Flood, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “These donated resources would enhance the capacity of hunger-relief nonprofits nationwide. With increasing demand for food assistance and the rising costs of infrastructure, support for our shared mission is vital to continue serving individuals and families facing food insecurity. By incentivizing donations, this act fosters a community-driven approach to combating food insecurity and will increase the capacity of nonprofits to ensure that nutritious food reaches those in need.”
“The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) supports the Feed the Community Act and commends Rep. Barragán for her leadership in bringing forward the legislation,” said Lowell Randall, Senior Vice President of Government and Legal Affairs at the Global Cold Chain Alliance. “Reducing food loss and waste is a high priority for GCCA and the Feed the Community Act will help incentive donations of critical equipment that will help food banks increase their capacity to handle perishable products and reach people in need. Strengthening cold chain capacity across the food supply chain will help reduce food loss and waste, improve food security, and enhance nutrition.”
The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Summer Lee (PA-03), Shri Thanedar (Mi-13), Dina Titus (NV-01), Salud Carbajal, (CA-24), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Troy Carter (LA-02), Andre Carson (IN-07), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07) and Juan Vargas (CA-52).
The bill is supported by FoodRecovery.org, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the Global Cold Chain Alliance, American Logistics Aid Network, California Restaurant Association, California Association of Food Banks, Meals on Wheels of America, California, and San Diego County, and the National Restaurant Association.
You can read Rep. Barragán’s one-pager on the bill here and view the full bill text here.
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Congressmember Nanette Barragán represents California’s 44th District. She sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and works on environmental justice and healthcare issues. She is also Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).