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Committee weighs codifying farm-to-food-pantry program; supporters cite pilots, critics warn of restrictive language
Summary
HB 24-63 would expand and codify commodity-donation and farm-to-food-pantry grants to connect local farmers with hunger-relief organizations; testimony praised pilot results but multiple witnesses warned that the bill’s 'solely' language could narrow eligible partners and reduce distribution resilience.
Representative Christine Reeves opened the committee’s public hearing on HB 24-63 by saying the bill is intended to shore up Washington’s food-security system as federal resources shrink and to codify pilot programs that connect farms and food banks. "This portion really makes sure that we are getting local food from farms into our food bank system in a meaningful way," she said.
Staff summarized the bill as amending the Washington Commodity Donation Program to expand procured commodities (including dairy) and setting up a Farm-to-Food-Pantry program that would authorize WSDA to issue grants, in partnership with a nonprofit, to help hunger-relief organizations build wholesale purchasing contracts with…
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