A proposal geared toward serving to so-called “meals restoration” packages, reminiscent of meals banks, get discounted costs for recent meals superior Monday within the Florida Home of Representatives, as lawmakers take into account a pilot program to assist to curb meals insecurity within the state.
The Home Agriculture and Pure Sources Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously permitted the invoice (HB 1159).
Below the invoice, meals restoration packages might buy produce and different meals at not more than 50 p.c of the “present wholesale market worth” from producers.
The Florida Division of Agriculture and Shopper Companies would reimburse meals restoration packages and supply 2 cents per pound of meals delivered to assist cowl the price of supply and distribution.
To take part, meals banks must be nonprofit organizations which have been in operation for no less than 10 years and have obtained a minimal of 10 million kilos of perishable meals yearly for the previous three years.
An evaluation of the invoice by Home employees mentioned that about 40 p.c of the meals produced in the USA goes uneaten and that one-fifth of Floridians, together with a million youngsters, are meals insecure. .
“Meals restoration packages are helpful to residents who would in any other case lack the means to buy recent vegetables and fruit by offering surplus items for distribution to these in want relatively than destruction,” the evaluation says. Rep. Rick Roth, a Republican from West Palm Seashore and an agricultural enterprise proprietor, advised the Home panel that the invoice goals to extend the standard of meals meals banks obtain and supply an incentive for producers take part.
The pilot program can be funded with $5 million within the 2024-2025 state finances. The invoice would wish approval from the Home Infrastructure Methods Committee earlier than it may be thought of by the complete Home.
The Senate Agriculture, Atmosphere and Common Authorities Appropriations Committee is scheduled to listen to the same Senate invoice (SB 1422) on Tuesday.