Hagedorn Statement on Biden Administration Ending Farmers to Families Food Box Program

Press Release

Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) today issued the following statement in response to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack's decision to end the Farmers to Families Food Box program:

"The Farmers to Families Food Box program has been critical to sustaining our farmers and producers and helping families in need put food on the table. While economic restrictions are being lifted and a return to normalcy is in sight, now is not the time to change course and risk taking steps backwards that would disrupt the supply chain, harm rural communities and inhibit the nation's recovery from the pandemic.

"Since taking office, Secretary Vilsack and the Biden Administration have halted successful Trump Administration policies and programs that have helped America's agricultural economy survive the pandemic and continue contributing to our food and energy supply.

"Republican members of the House Agriculture Committee, which has a long and proud history of bipartisan cooperation, were not given the opportunity to provide input on USDA's decision and did not even receive advanced notice. Any delay in reorganizing or rolling out a replacement program will slow food assistance to rural communities -- directly affecting those who need the assistance most -- and the responsibility will fall squarely in the laps of President Biden and Secretary Vilsack."

Jim Hagedorn was reelected in 2020 to serve Minnesota's First District in the U.S. House of Representatives for a second term. He grew up on his family's grain and livestock farm near Truman. Jim's father, former Congressman Tom Hagedorn (MN-02), grandfather, and great-grandfather were all southern Minnesota farmers, and Jim resides in the rural community of Blue Earth. During his time in Congress, Hagedorn has consistently fought for the conservative principles that have made America the greatest nation in the history of the world and championed legislation to promote the First District's primary industries and job creators -- farming, small business and medical care. Hagedorn is a member of the House Committees on Agriculture and Small Business.

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