[Page S14087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

By Mr. LEAHY (for himself and Mr. Harkin):
S. 1265. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make
temporary assistance available to support community food security
projects designed to meet the food needs of low-income people, increase
the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs,
and promote comprehensive, inclusive, and future-oriented solutions to
local food, farm, and nutrition problems, and for other purposes; to
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

the community food security act of 1995

Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill with Senator
Harkin which is designed to help communities alleviate hunger at the
local level. The Community Food Security Act of 1995 will provide one-
time grants to local organizations which are working to both meet the
immediate food needs of low-income people while seeking future-oriented
solutions to local food, farm and nutrition problems.
This is a good bill. It enjoyed strong bipartisan support in the
House.
The Community Food Security Act will provide Federal support to local
projects such as farmers market nutrition programs, food policy
councils, community gardens and urban farms all of which promote good
nutrition while helping family farms. At a time when many people are
advocating that we give more power to the States--this bill goes one
step further. The Community Food Security Act will give money directly
to the private organizations who know where it is most needed.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Community Food Security Act
of 1995''.

SEC. 2. ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY PROJECTS.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Community food security project.--The term ``community
food security project'' means a community-based project
that--
(A) is designed to--
(i) meet the food needs of low-income people;
(ii) increase the self-reliance of communities in providing
for their own food needs; and
(iii) promote comprehensive, inclusive, and future-oriented
solutions to local food, farm, and nutrition problems; and
(B) requires a one-time infusion of Federal assistance to
become self-sustaining.
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an
entity that has experience in the area of--
(A) community food work, including the development of new
markets in low-income communities for agricultural producers,
particularly small- and medium-sized farms; or
(B) job training and business development activities for
food-related businesses in low-income communities.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(b) Authorization.--The Secretary may make grants to assist
eligible entities in establishing and carrying out community
food security projects.
(c) Applications.--An eligible entity may submit to the
Secretary an application, in such form and containing such
information as the Secretary may require, that--
(1) demonstrates competency in implementing a community
food security project;
(2) demonstrates fiscal accountability;
(3) contains an agreement that the entity will collect data
and prepare reports and other documentation, as required by
the Secretary; and
(4) demonstrates that the entity is willing to participate
in a continuing assessment of regional food security and to
share information with researchers, practitioners, and other
interested parties.
(d) Preference for Certain Projects.--In selecting
community food security projects to be supported by grants
under subsection (b), the Secretary shall give preference to
projects designed--
(1) to develop linkages between 2 or more sectors of the
food system;
(2) to support the development of entrepreneurial solutions
to local food problems;
(3) to develop innovative linkages between the for-profit
and nonprofit food sectors; or
(4) to encourage long-term planning activities and
multisystem, interagency approaches.
(e) Matching Funds.--
(1) Requirements.--The Federal share of the cost of
establishing or carrying out a community food security
project that receives assistance under subsection (b) may not
exceed 50 percent of the cost during the term of the grant.
(2) Calculation.--The non-Federal share of the cost of
carrying out a community food security project may be
provided through a payment in cash or in kind, fairly
evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or services from
private, State, or local sources.
(f) Single Grant.--A community food security project may be
supported by only a single grant under subsection (b), for a
term of not to exceed 3 years.
(g) Technical Assistance and Related Information.--The
Secretary shall--
(1) provide technical assistance regarding community food
security projects, processes, and development to entities
seeking such assistance;
(2) provide for the sharing of information about community
food security projects and issues among and between
government agencies, private for-profit and nonprofit groups,
and the public through publications, conferences, and other
appropriate form; and
(3) participate in assessments of regional food security
and share information with researchers, practitioners, and
other interested parties.
(h) Evaluation and Report.--The Secretary shall--
(1) provide for the evaluation of community food security
projects supported using funds under this section; and
(2) not later than January 30, 2000, submit to Congress a
report on the results of the evaluation.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $4,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.

____________________