Senate Bill Supports Local Farmers and Expands Healthy Food Access

Bipartisan Bill Connects Small Farmers with Community Food Programs

Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Jim Justice (R-WV) introduced the Strengthening Local Food Security (SLFS) Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill that supports small farmers and boosts access to healthy food.

The SLFS Act allows the USDA to create cooperative agreements with state and tribal governments to buy food directly from local farmers, ranchers, and fishers. These producers include beginning, small, mid-sized, underserved, and veteran farmers. The food will be distributed through school nutrition programs and community food assistance efforts.

By creating reliable local markets, this bill helps producers invest in their businesses and expand operations. It also ensures that families receive fresh, locally grown food, improving health and food security across the country.

The bill also offers technical assistance to help farmers meet food safety standards and prepare to enter larger wholesale markets. This includes training, safety planning, and equipment upgrades, helping local producers grow and compete in broader markets.

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) has praised the bill as a vital step toward making local food systems stronger. By connecting producers with schools and food assistance programs, the SLFS Act builds long-term supply relationships and supports both farming communities and families in need.