Federal Policy Program
2008 Farm Bill
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Key Programs related to Community Food Security
Materials •
Publications
Background
Though not perfect, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - more commonly known as the Farm Bill - makes important incremental changes in support of local and organic food, conservation and better agriculture policies. The following is a "short list" of programs that CFSC has followed in the Farm Bill and their outcomes. For more information on how CFSC's priorities stand in the conference report, see the Policy Updates on 5/8/2008 and 5/15/2008. For a more in-depth look at the Farm Bill process, you can view weekly progress updates in our 2007 and 2008 Policy Update archives.
Farm Bill Programs related to Community Food Security
The following is a "short list" of programs that CFSC has followed in the Farm Bill and their outcomes.
- Community Food Projects: $5 million (in mandatory money) for fiscal year 2008 and each year after, making it a permanent program.
- Geographic preference: Allows K-12 schools receiving federal funds for the school lunch program the flexibility to specify a geographic preference for the procurement of unprocessed agricultural products.
- Healthy Urban Food Enterprise Development Center: Establishes a competitive grant program for producers, small businesses, and non-profits to apply for outreach, technical assistance, and feasibility study grants to support the development of enterprises which distribute and market healthy and locally produced foods to undeserved urban, rural, and tribal communities. $3 million total (mandatory) over 3 years.
- Financing for Local Food Enterprises: Provides 5% of funds (approx. $50 million annually) in loan guarantees for businesses in rural areas involved in local food distribution and marketing to secure private-secure loans backed by a USDA loan guarantee through the Rural Business and Industries Loan and Loan Guarantee program.
- USDA "Food Desert" Study: $500,000 in discretionary funding for a one-year USDA-led study on the incidence of "food deserts," or areas with limited healthy and fresh food retail access and identify strategies which can reduce their incidence.
- Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program: $20.6 million per year (mandatory) for fresh fruits and vegetable vouchers to low-income seniors that can be used at participating farmers? markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture subscriptions, worth $10-$100 annually per recipient.
- Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program: $500 million (mandatory) over five years for selected schools to purchase at least one daily fresh fruit or vegetable snack. The program will focus on low-income school districts, and allocates 1% of funding total funding to each state and the District of Columbia with additional funding allocated by relative state population. Schools can preference local products.
- Farmers' Market Promotion Program: $33 million (mandatory) over 5 years to provide competitive grants of up to $75,000 to promote farmers' markets and other direct marketing ventures.
- Food Stamp Nutrition Education: State agencies may implement a nutrition education program for individuals eligible for program benefits that promotes healthy food choices consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and may deliver nutrition education directly to eligible persons or through agreements with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, including through the expanded food and nutrition education program.
- Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): Provides the following funding to purchase commodities for emergency food assistance: $190 million for FY 2008, $250 million for FY 2009, and for FY 2010-2012 the program will be increased by the percentage the thrifty food plan is increased. TEFAP will have up to $100 million in discretionary funds for administrative, distribution, and storage costs.
- The Congressional Hunger Center: Our friends at the Congressional Hunger Center are authorized with discretionary funds.
2008 Farm Bill Materials:
Advocacy Tools and Detailed Background Information
Our Priorities:
Background, Legislative, and Advocacy Materials:
Tools for Advocacy:
CFSC Publications Related to the Farm Bill
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