S-2578 : Still Just a Bill

This bill allows a state to receive cash funds under The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to directly purchase agricultural commodities through the private commercial marketplace.

TEFAP is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Through TEFAP, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchases a variety of commodities and makes those food products (e.g., canned, frozen, dried, and fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat, dairy, and whole-grain and enriched grain products) available to state distributing agencies.

Specifically, the bill allows an eligible state agency to elect to receive as cash the dollar amount used by USDA to purchase the commodities to distribute to the state. 

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2023-07-27IntroReferralRead twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.Senate
2023-07-27IntroReferralIntroduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Sponsor :

Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
See Cosponsors

Policy Area :

Agriculture and Food
See Subjects
  • Alaska
  • American Samoa
  • Food assistance and relief
  • Food supply, safety, and labeling
  • Guam
  • Hawaii
  • Marshall Islands
  • Micronesia
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Nutrition and diet
  • Palau
  • Poverty and welfare assistance
  • Puerto Rico
  • State and local government operations
  • Virgin Islands

Related Bills

See Related Bills