WASHINGTON – (June 4, 2021) House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott and Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations Chairwoman Hayes issued the following statement in response to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) investing $1 billion to purchase healthy food for food insecure Americans and build food bank capacity:

“This announcement is yet another positive step as Secretary Tom Vilsack and his team at USDA roll out the provisions of the American Rescue Plan and our efforts to reduce food insecurity in America,” said Chairman David Scott. “I am particularly pleased to see the critical investment in $400 million that will support socially disadvantaged farmers at a local and regional level. These partnerships with farmers and food banks will ensure that the programs feeding communities are supporting their own local agricultural systems.”

Chairwoman Hayes added, “One of my primary missions as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations is to work to eliminate hunger and food insecurity in this country. This announcement from USDA is key and showcases efforts that bolster food bank networks and improve the use of local food systems as necessary solutions to protect those who are food insecure and at the edges of a fragile economic recovery. I look forward to working with Secretary Vilsack and USDA as they implement this program, and we continue the fight against hunger.”