WASHINGTON – A diverse collection of anti-hunger, environmental, nutrition, public health and worker advocates on Wednesday urged House farm bill leaders to protect and strengthen anti-hunger and climate spending programs and include protections for farm and food workers in the legislation.
During a press conference, representatives of the Food Research and Action Center, or FRAC, Natural Resources Defense Council, or NRDC, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, or NSAC, Union of Concerned Scientists, or UCS, Environmental Working Group, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and United Food and Commercial Workers, or UFCW, called on Congress to pass a bipartisan farm bill.
They said the bill should address the needs of farmers and ranchers grappling with the impacts of the climate crisis and provide protections for those who grow and serve the nation’s food supply.
The bill should also support the millions of families struggling with hunger, they said, including through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
“Strengthening SNAP benefit adequacy and improving equitable access is critical to helping tens of millions of households put food on the table,” said Luis Guardia, president of FRAC. “FRAC urges Congress to do everything in its power to pass a strong, bipartisan farm bill that includes provisions that protect and strengthen SNAP. Hungry people can’t wait.”
"A farm bill that’s worth supporting would meet farmers and ranchers where they are – confronting a changing climate,” said Michael Lavender, NSAC policy director.
“For the hundreds of thousands of farmers turned away from underfunded conservation programs in recent years, the Inflation Reduction Act’s historic investment in climate-friendly agriculture means an opportunity to be productive, good stewards of the land while driving climate mitigation and adaptation,” Lavender said.
“NSAC urges House farm bill leaders and Congress to deliver a strong, bipartisan farm bill that fully protects this historic investment while safeguarding and strengthening anti-hunger programs and worker protections," he added.
“The Union of Concerned Scientists opposes any cuts to the $20 billion allocated to conservation and conservation technical assistance in the Inflation Reduction Act, and strongly opposes any cuts to SNAP or other U.S. food security programs,” said Melissa Kaplan, senior manager for government affairs at UCS.
“The farm bill must also ensure the safety of all food chain workers by improving worker protections from exposures to harmful working conditions, including extreme heat, wildfire smoke and pesticides,” she added.
“As House leaders develop the farm bill, it is critical that we protect and strengthen SNAP, protect and strengthen the climate-smart spending in the Inflation Reduction Act and our conservation programs, and that we support food and farm workers,” said Scott Faber, EWG senior vice president for government affairs.
“House leaders, our message is simple: Feed the hungry, help our farmers meet the challenge of climate change, support our food and farm workers.
“No farm bill is better than a bad farm bill,” said Faber.
“The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is dedicated to improving the health of all Americans by ensuring access to a nourishing, safe, affordable and sustainable food supply,” said Karen Ehrens, director of legislative and government affairs at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
“From the field to the table, there are many who are working to ensure that people have nutritious food to eat, yet there are still more than 34 million in the United States who are food insecure,” said registered dietitian nutritionist Lauri Wright, the 2023-2024 president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
“We encourage Congress to pass a Farm Bill that prioritizes health and protects and strengthens the link between agriculture and nutrition security and serves all people, the growers and those who eat. Anti-hunger programs, including those that increase access to nutrition education and more healthful foods, are Academy Farm Bill priorities,” said Wright.
“Nutrition insecurity remains a critical concern, as in the past week the Census Bureau released survey data tracking a rise in food insecurity in the United States. Following the end of pandemic-related SNAP benefit increases, the number of food-insecure individuals has grown by 3 million people since March 2023,” she added.
“The anti-hunger, environmental, nutrition, public health and labor communities stand together in the effort to secure a farm bill that advances protection of workers, the climate and equity by safeguarding key programs,” said Matthew Kaplan, senior attorney at NRDC. “Congress can do all of these things.”
The full press conference, including answers to reporters’ questions, can be found here.
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The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
