Stabenow Applauds $1.7 Billion Investment in American Farmers and Expanded Access to Local Foods

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Tuesday applauded a $1.7 billion investment in American farmers through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's authorities under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act. The funding will be used to purchase locally grown food for school and childcare meals programs, food banks, and people who need a little help making ends meet to put food on the table.

Stabenow said: "Farm income is declining and food insecurity is rising. This is an investment in farmers, by purchasing locally grown food from underserved producers, and families, who may need just a little bit of help to make ends meet. That's a win-win, and I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary Vilsack for this investment that will keep farmers farming and families fed."

On Tuesday, Stabenow announced the investment with Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small in Detroit, Michigan. As Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Stabenow has advocated for creative solutions to support American farmers and ranchers while Congress is negotiating a 5-year reauthorization of the Farm Bill.

This includes a $2.3 billion investment in trade promotion and in-kind international food assistance that Stabenow secured through the CCC last year.

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