IFPA Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Fresh Produce for Families Act

June 23, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) today applauded Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) for introducing the bipartisan Fresh Produce for Families Act, legislation that would expand the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables through food banks while supporting American specialty crop growers.

The legislation would allow states to allocate up to 20 percent of their federal The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) commodity foods funding to the USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (USDA DoD Fresh), a proven procurement model that delivers U.S.-grown fresh fruits and vegetables efficiently and cost-effectively.

"Every American, regardless of their circumstances, deserves access to fresh fruits and vegetables," said Mollie Van Lieu, Vice President of Nutrition and Health for the International Fresh Produce Association. "Food banks today are doing incredible work to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and the Fresh Produce for Families Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that will give food banks an additional tool to provide a greater variety of U.S.-grown fresh produce. We applaud Senators Hyde-Smith and Schiff for their leadership, and we look forward to working with Congress to advance this legislation that benefits farmers, families, and communities alike.”

Today, fresh produce options available through TEFAP are limited. By contrast, the USDA DoD Fresh Program typically offers around 75 different varieties. By allowing states to utilize USDA DoD Fresh, the legislation would significantly expand access to a wider variety of American-grown fruits and vegetables at food banks by leveraging an existing and successful supply chain model already used in schools across the country.

This bipartisan common-sense legislation was adopted in the House-passed Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) earlier this year. The proposal could generate nearly $100 million in additional purchases of U.S.-grown fruits and vegetables through food banks nationwide based on TEFAP commodity food budgets from FY26, supporting healthier diets for millions of Americans.

IFPA Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Fresh Produce for Families Act

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