House and Senate Pass Farm Bill

The U.S. Congress has passed a new Farm Bill, which has an overall cost of $300 billion. Of that amount, 73.5 percent ($220 billion) is to be spent on nutrition programs, which received the largest increase in the new bill. The Conference Report includes a $10.36 billion increase for nutrition programs over existing law. The bill addresses the Canned Food Alliance's (CFA) top priorities, including additional funding to increase food stamp benefits and the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, and to assist food banks through the Emergency Food Assistance Program. It is believed the House and Senate will have enough votes to override a Presidential veto.

The CFA has successfully educated federal legislators on the importance of including canned food in federal nutrition programs based on nutrition studies that show canned food is comparable to its cooked fresh and frozen counterparts. The passage of the bill and the resulting increase in nutrition program funding have the potential to increase sales of canned food. For more information, contact Rich Tavoletti.