YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

Strengthening the partnership between farmers, ranchers and food banks

By Gary Joiner
Publisher

Texas farmers and ranchers and food banks have a strong partnership in our state.

Texas lawmakers recently doubled the state’s investment in efforts to help food banks rescue unsellable produce from Texas growers for distribution to hungry Texans.

The program is working. If only the federal government would follow the Texas lead.

Texas Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm and ranch organization, and Feeding Texas, the largest hunger-relief organization in the state, are urging Congress to use to the upcoming farm bill to make that investment.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program is the way to do it. The federal program enables farmers across the nation to connect their products with individuals seeking food assistance via food banks.

A doubling of investment in the program is needed to counter the rising need for food assistance and food cost inflation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s support for food banks fell sharply in 2022.

The farm bill boasts a historic balance of supporting farmers and ranchers while reducing hunger.

Congress needs to come together in a bipartisan fashion to pass a farm bill that protects farm and ranch families, increases support for Title 1 commodity programs and ensures food security.

And creates a future where no one goes hungry.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

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