McKinley Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Support Food Banks During Pandemic

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representatives David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-W.Va.) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) introduced the Food Recovery Transportation Act. This bipartisan legislation establishes a grant program that provides organizations involved in food distribution with funds for the transportation of donated food.

Specifically, this bill will make grants available to assist with the purchasing or leasing vehicles and other equipment to assist with the transportation and delivery of food to food banks.

"The COVID pandemic has drastically impacted food distribution and food security throughout the nation. No child should go hungry as a result of this devastating virus," said McKinley. "Even before the pandemic we heard from organizations that transportation of donated food was a barrier to reaching families in need. This legislation is a common-sense solution to address that challenge and help ensure struggling families can get nutritious meals."

"I am thrilled to join my friend and colleague, Representative David McKinley, to reintroduce the Food Waste Recovery Transportation Act," said Kaptur. "This bipartisan legislation will help our industrious foodbanks and other public food program service providers improve and expand the vital services they provide to our communities. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has displayed how immensely essential these community food distributors are and they deserve our help in serving their people."

In 2019, over 35 million people struggled with hunger in the United States. Even though more people have been able to gain food security within the last few years, the coronavirus pandemic has caused unintended consequences among families who were previously food secure. Feeding America estimates that due the coronavirus pandemic, 42 million people may experience food insecurity in 2021.

Background:

Representative McKinley is passionate about reducing food waste and fighting hunger since his time in the West Virginia State Legislature, when he created a pilot program to donate excess food from schools and other institutions to people in need.

Read the full bill text here.

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