The House Committee on Agriculture has approved the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 with a bipartisan vote of 34-17. Included in this year’s Farm Bill is legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08), known as the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act.
According to Rep. Bresnahan, “Congress has a responsibility to ensure farm policy works for those who grow, raise, and produce our nation’s food. I’m especially proud the Farm Bill includes my bipartisan bill, which will help those in need in our communities access healthy, fresh food produced by their neighbors. This Farm Bill will strengthen agriculture in Northeastern Pennsylvania and across the country by ensuring federal policy keeps pace with the challenges our farmers face and delivering bipartisan solutions that support them and our rural communities.”
The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act enables states to create cooperative agreements through the USDA to link local farmers with food distribution organizations. Funds from these agreements are designated for purchasing local foods such as seafood, meat, dairy products, eggs, fruit, and poultry. A portion of these funds is reserved specifically for small-scale, mid-size, beginning, and veteran farmers.
Julie Bancroft, Chief Executive Officer of Feeding Pennsylvania said: “We are grateful for Congressman Bresnahan’s leadership on the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act in the Farm Bill. Congressman Bresnahan recognizes the deep connection between those who grow our food and the people that food nourishes. The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act LFFC will strengthen local farm economies and ensure all Pennsylvanians can put healthy, local food on their table.”
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Chris Hoffman commented: “Pennsylvania Farm Bureau applauds the House Agriculture Committee for their bipartisan progress on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. The bill undoubtedly meets the moment for the modern-day realities our farmers are facing. We are especially grateful for the leadership of Chairman GT Thompson and the steadfast support of Representative Rob Bresnahan in championing Pennsylvania’s interests throughout this process. For our Commonwealth’s farm families and the consumers they serve, this bill acts as a vital safeguard against the triple threat of soaring production costs, market volatility, and rising food prices. We now call upon House leadership to act without delay and bring this bill to the floor for a vote, ensuring the stability of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and the security of our food supply.”
The legislation also includes provisions such as creating grant authority for disaster payments; focusing on science-driven innovation within conservation practices; expanding nutrition program access; strengthening connections between health initiatives and federal nutrition programs; supporting new farmers; improving broadband connectivity in rural areas; protecting rural healthcare access; addressing childcare needs; tackling workforce challenges; investing in water infrastructure; supporting specialty crop research; increasing access to energy savings programs like REAP; consulting producers when setting priorities for specialty crop grants; maintaining funding for local agriculture markets with simplified applications; continuing support for organic farming initiatives; enhancing animal welfare protections under existing laws; and directing public education campaigns about invasive species like spotted lanternflies.
