bill to share surplus farm food with more food banks

The text as introduced · 304 words

90R166 SCF-D

By: Darby
H.B. No. 804

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the eligibility of an organization to receive surplus

agricultural products under certain grants awarded by the

Department of Agriculture.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 21.002, Agriculture Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 21.002. ELIGIBILITY. Subject to available funds, a

nonprofit organization is eligible to receive a grant under this

chapter if the organization:

(1) has at least five years of experience coordinating

a statewide network of food banks and charitable organizations that

serve each county of this state;

(2) operates a program that coordinates the collection

and transportation of surplus agricultural products to [ a statewide

network of ] food banks in this state that provide food to needy or

low-income individuals; and

(3) submits to the department, in the manner and time

prescribed by the department, a proposal for the collection and

distribution to food banks or other charitable organizations for

use in providing food to needy or low-income individuals of surplus

agricultural products, including:

(A) a description of the proposal;

(B) a schedule of projected costs for the

proposal;

(C) measurable goals for the proposal; and

(D) a plan for evaluating the success of the

proposal.

SECTION 2. Chapter 21, Agriculture Code, is amended by

adding Section 21.004 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.004. DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES TO FOOD BANKS. A

nonprofit organization that receives a grant under this chapter

must make surplus agricultural products and other grant resources

available to any food bank headquartered in this state that:

(1) has the capacity to receive and store truckload

quantities of perishable agricultural products; and

(2) distributes the agricultural products free of

charge to local food programs.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.