Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2005 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Congress is committed to achieving domestic hunger goals and ending hunger by 2015; (2) federal food and nutrition programs should receive adequate funding; and (3) the entitlement nature of the child and adult care food program, the food stamp program, the school breakfast and lunch programs, and the summer food service program should be preserved.
Directs: (1) the American Communities Survey to collect and submit food security information to the Secretary of Agriculture; and (2) the Secretary to conduct an annual study of hunger in the United States and develop recommendations on reducing domestic hunger.
Directs the Secretary to make: (1) hunger-free communities collaborative grants to eligible public food program service providers or nonprofit organizations; (2) hunger-free communities infrastructure grants to eligible emergency feeding organizations; and (3) hunger-free communities training and technical assistance grants to eligible national or regional nonprofit organizations. (States that such grants' federal share shall not exceed 80 %.)
Sets forth grant priorities.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2717 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2717
To reduce hunger in the United States by half by 2010, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 26, 2005
Mr. Osborne (for himself and Mr. McGovern) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reduce hunger in the United States by half by 2010, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Hunger-Free
Communities Act of 2005''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I--NATIONAL COMMITMENT TO END HUNGER
Sec. 101. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 102. Data collection.
Sec. 103. Annual hunger report.
TITLE II--STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY EFFORTS
Sec. 201. Hunger-free communities assessment grants.
Sec. 202. Hunger-free communities infrastructure grants.
Sec. 203. Training and technical assistance grants.
Sec. 204. Report.
TITLE III--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) food insecurity and hunger are growing problems in the
United States;
(2) in 2003, more than 36,000,000 people, 13,000,000 of
whom were children, lived in households that were food
insecure, representing an increase of 5,200,000 people in just
4 years;
(3) over 9,600,000 people lived in households in which at
least 1 person experienced hunger;
(4)(A) at the 1996 World Food Summit, the United States,
along with 185 other countries, pledged to reduce the number of
undernourished people by half by 2015; and
(B) as a result of this pledge, the Department of Health
and Human Services adopted the Healthy People 2010 goal to cut
food insecurity in half by 2010, and in doing so reduce hunger;
(5)(A) the Healthy People 2010 goal measures progress that
has been made since the 1996 World Food Summit and urges the
Federal Government to reduce food insecurity from the 1995
level of 12 percent to 6 percent;
(B) in 1999, food insecurity decreased to 10.1 percent, and
hunger decreased to 3 percent, but no progress has been made
since 1999; and
(C) in 2003, food insecurity increased to 11.2 percent and
hunger increased to 3.5 percent, so that the United States
needs to reduce food insecurity by approximately 5 percentage
points in the next 5 years in order to reach the Healthy People
2010 goal;
(6) anti-hunger organizations in the United States have
encouraged Congress to achieve the commitment of the United
States to decrease food insecurity and hunger in half by 2010
and eliminating food insecurity and hunger by 2015;
(7) anti-hunger organizations in the United States have
identified strategies to cut food insecurity and hunger in half
by 2010 and to eliminate food insecurity and hunger by 2015;
(8)(A) national nutrition programs are among the fastest,
most direct ways to efficiently and effectively prevent hunger,
reduce food insecurity, and improve nutrition among the
populations targeted by a program; and
(B) the programs are responsible for the absence of
widespread hunger and malnutrition among the poorest people,
especially children, in the United States;
(9)(A) although national nutrition programs are essential
in the fight against hunger, the programs fail to reach all of
the people eligible and entitled to their services;
(B) according to the Department of Agriculture, only
approximately 56 percent of food-insecure households receive
assistance from at least 1 of the 3 largest national nutrition
programs, the food stamp program, the special supplemental
nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC), and
the school lunch program;
(C) the food stamp program reaches only about 54 percent of
the households that are eligible for benefits; and
(D) free and reduced price school breakfasts are served to
about \1/2\ of the low-income children who get free or reduced
price lunches, and during the summer months, less than 20
percent of the children who receive free and reduced price
school lunches are served meals;
(10) in 2001, food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and
emergency shelters helped to feed more than 23,000,000 low-
income people;
(11) community-based organizations and charities can help--
(A) play an important role in preventing and
reducing hunger;
(B) measure community food security;
(C) develop and implement plans for improving food
security;
(D) educate community leaders about the problems of
and solutions to hunger;
(E) ensure that local nutrition programs are
implemented effectively; and
(F) improve the connection of food insecure people
to anti-hunger programs;
(12) according to the Department of Agriculture, in 2003,
hunger was 8 times as prevalent, and food insecurity was nearly
6 times as prevalent, in households with incomes below 185
percent of the poverty line as in households with incomes at or
above 185 percent of the poverty line; and
(13) in order to achieve the goal of reducing food
insecurity and hunger by \1/2\ by 2010, the United States needs
to--
(A) ensure improved employment and income
opportunities, especially for less-skilled workers and
single mothers with children; and
(B) reduce the strain that rising housing and
health care costs place on families with limited or
stagnant incomes.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Domestic hunger goal.--The term ``domestic hunger
goal'' means--
(A) the goal of reducing hunger in the United
States to at or below 2 percent by 2010; or
(B) the goal of reducing food insecurity in the
United States to at or below 6 percent by 2010.
(2) Emergency feeding organization.--The term ``emergency
feeding organization'' has the meaning given the term in
section 201A of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7
U.S.C. 7501).
(3) Food security.--The term ``food security'' means the
state in which an individual has access to enough food for an
active, healthy life.
(4) Hunger-free communities goal.--The term ``hunger-free
communities goal'' means any of the 14 goals described in the
H. Con. Res. 302 (102nd Congress).
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
TITLE I--NATIONAL COMMITMENT TO END HUNGER
SEC. 101. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Congress is committed to--
(A) achieving domestic hunger goals;
(B) achieving hunger-free communities goals; and
(C) ending hunger by 2015;
(2) Federal food and nutrition programs should receive
adequate funding to meet the requirements of the programs; and
(3) the entitlement nature of the child and adult care food
program, the food stamp program established by section 4 of the
Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2013), the school breakfast
and lunch programs, and the summer food service program should
be preserved.
SEC. 102. DATA COLLECTION.
(a) In General.--The American Communities Survey, acting under the
authority of the Census Bureau pursuant to section 141 of title 13,
United States Code, shall collect and submit to the Secretary
information relating to food security.
(b) Compilation.--Not later than October 31 of each year, the
Secretary shall compile the information submitted under subsection (a)
to produce data on food security at the Federal, State, and local
levels.
SEC. 103. ANNUAL HUNGER REPORT.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a study, and
annual updates of the study, of major matters relating to the
problem of hunger in the United States, as determined by the
Secretary.
(2) Matters to be assessed.--The matters to be assessed by
the Secretary shall include--
(A) the information compiled under section 102(b);
(B) measures carried out during the previous year
by Federal, State, and local governments to achieve
domestic hunger goals and hunger-free communities
goals; and
(C) measures that could be carried out by Federal,
State, and local governments to achieve domestic hunger
goals and hunger-free communities goals.
(b) Recommendations.--The Secretary shall develop recommendations
on--
(1) removing obstacles to achieving domestic hunger goals
and hunger-free communities goals; and
(2) otherwise reducing domestic hunger.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the
President and Congress a report that contains--
(1) a detailed statement of the results of the study, or
the most recent update to the study, conducted under subsection
(a); and
(2) the most recent recommendations of the Secretary under
subsection (b).
TITLE II--STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY EFFORTS
SEC. 201. HUNGER-FREE COMMUNITIES COLLABORATIVE GRANTS.
(a) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term
``eligible entity'' means a public food program service provider or a
nonprofit organization, including but not limited to an emergency
feeding organization, that demonstrates the organization has
collaborated, or will collaborate, with 1 or more local partner
organizations to achieve at least 1 hunger-free communities goal.
(b) Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall use not more than 50
percent of any funds made available under title III to make
grants to eligible entities to pay the Federal share of the
costs of an activity described in subsection (d).
(2) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of
carrying out an activity under this section shall not exceed 80
percent.
(3) Non-federal share.--
(A) Calculation.--The non-Federal share of the cost
of an activity under this section may be provided in
cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including
facilities, equipment, or services.
(B) Sources.--Any entity may provide the non-
Federal share of the cost of an activity under this
section through a State government, a local government,
or a private source.
(c) Application.--
(1) In general.--To receive a grant under this section, an
eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at
the time and in the manner and accompanied by any information
the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph
(1) shall--
(A) identify any activity described in subsection
(d) that the grant will be used to fund;
(B) describe the means by which an activity
identified under subparagraph (A) will reduce hunger in
the community of the eligible entity;
(C) list any partner organizations of the eligible
entity that will participate in an activity funded by
the grant;
(D) describe any agreement between a partner
organization and the eligible entity necessary to carry
out an activity funded by the grant; and
(E) if an assessment described in subsection (d)(1)
has been performed, include--
(i) a summary of that assessment; and
(ii) information regarding the means by
which the grant will help reduce hunger in the
community of the eligible entity.
(3) Priority.--In making grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that--
(A) demonstrate in the application of the eligible
entity that the eligible entity makes collaborative
efforts to reduce hunger in the community of the
eligible entity; and
(B)(i) serve a predominantly rural and
geographically underserved area;
(ii) serve communities in which the rates of food
insecurity, hunger, poverty, or unemployment are
demonstrably higher than national average rates;
(iii) provide evidence of long-term efforts to
reduce hunger in the community;
(iv) provide evidence of public support for the
efforts of the eligible entity; or
(v) demonstrate in the application of the eligible
entity a commitment to achieving more than 1 hunger-
free communities goal.
(d) Use of Funds.--
(1) Assessment of hunger in the community.--
(A) In general.--An eligible entity in a community
that has not performed an assessment described in
subparagraph (B) may use a grant received under this
section to perform the assessment for the community.
(B) Assessment.--The assessment referred to in
subparagraph (A) shall include--
(i) an analysis of the problem of hunger in
the community served by the eligible entity;
(ii) an evaluation of any facility and any
equipment used to achieve a hunger-free
communities goal in the community;
(iii) an analysis of the effectiveness and
extent of service of existing nutrition
programs and emergency feeding organizations;
and
(iv) a plan to achieve any other hunger-
free communities goal in the community.
(2) Activities.--An eligible entity in a community that has
submitted an assessment to the Secretary shall use a grant
received under this section for any fiscal year for activities
of the eligible entity, including--
(A) meeting the immediate needs of people in the
community served by the eligible entity who experience
hunger by--
(i) distributing food;
(ii) providing community outreach; or
(iii) improving access to food as part of a
comprehensive service;
(B) developing new resources and strategies to help
reduce hunger in the community;
(C) establishing a program to achieve a hunger-free
communities goal in the community, including--
(i) a program to prevent, monitor, and
treat children in the community experiencing
hunger or poor nutrition; or
(ii) a program to provide information to
people in the community on hunger, domestic
hunger goals, and hunger-free communities
goals; and
(D) establishing a program to provide food and
nutrition services as part of a coordinated community-
based comprehensive service.
SEC. 202. HUNGER-FREE COMMUNITIES INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS.
(a) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term
``eligible entity'' means an emergency feeding organization (as defined
in section 201A(4) of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7
U.S.C. 7501(4))).
(b) Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall use not more than 40
percent of any funds made available under title III to make
grants to eligible entities to pay the Federal share of the
costs of an activity described in subsection (d).
(2) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of
carrying out an activity under this section shall not exceed 80
percent.
(c) Application.--
(1) In general.--To receive a grant under this section, an
eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at
the time and in the manner and accompanied by any information
the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph
(1) shall--
(A) identify any activity described in subsection
(d) that the grant will be used to fund; and
(B) describe the means by which an activity
identified under subparagraph (A) will reduce hunger in
the community of the eligible entity.
(3) Priority.--In making grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities the
applications of which demonstrate 2 or more of the following:
(A) The eligible entity serves a predominantly
rural and geographically underserved area.
(B) The eligible entity serves a community in which
the rates of food insecurity, hunger, poverty, or
unemployment are demonstrably higher than national
average rates.
(C) The eligible entity serves a community that has
carried out long-term efforts to reduce hunger in the
community.
(D) The eligible entity serves a community that
provides public support for the efforts of the eligible
entity.
(E) The eligible entity is committed to achieving
more than 1 hunger-free communities goal.
(d) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity shall use a grant received
under this section for any fiscal year to carry out activities of the
eligible entity, including--
(1) constructing, expanding, or repairing a facility or
equipment to support hunger relief agencies in the community;
(2) assisting an emergency feeding organization in the
community in obtaining locally-produced produce and protein
products; and
(3) assisting an emergency feeding organization in the
community to process and serve wild game.
SEC. 203. HUNGER-FREE COMMUNITIES TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
GRANTS.
(a) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term
``eligible entity'' means a national or regional nonprofit organization
that carries out an activity described in subsection (d).
(b) Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall use not more than 10
percent of any funds made available under title III to make
grants to eligible entities to pay the Federal share of the
costs of an activity described in subsection (d).
(2) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of
carrying out an activity under this section shall not exceed 80
percent.
(c) Application.--
(1) In general.--To receive a grant under this section, an
eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at
the time and in the manner and accompanied by any information
the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph
(1) shall--
(A) demonstrate that the eligible entity does not
operate for profit;
(B) describe any national or regional training
program carried out by the eligible entity, including a
description of each region served by the eligible
entity;
(C) describe any national or regional technical
assistance provided by the eligible entity, including a
description of each region served by the eligible
entity; and
(D) describe the means by which each organization
served by the eligible entity--
(i) works to achieve a domestic hunger
goal;
(ii) works to achieve a hunger-free
communities goal; or
(iii) used a grant received by the
organization under section 201 or 202.
(3) Priority.--In making grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities the
applications of which demonstrate 2 or more of the following:
(A) The eligible entity serves a predominantly
rural and geographically underserved area.
(B) The eligible entity serves a region in which
the rates of food insecurity, hunger, poverty, or
unemployment are demonstrably higher than national
average rates.
(C) The eligible entity serves a region that has
carried out long-term efforts to reduce hunger in the
region.
(D) The eligible entity serves a region that
provides public support for the efforts of the eligible
entity.
(E) The eligible entity is committed to achieving
more than 1 hunger-free communities goal.
(d) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity shall use a grant received
under this section for any fiscal year to carry out national or
regional training and technical assistance for organizations that--
(1) work to achieve a domestic hunger goal;
(2) work to achieve a hunger-free communities goal; or
(3) receive a grant under section 201 or 202.
SEC. 204. REPORT.
Not later than September 30, 2011, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report describing--
(1) each grant made under this title, including--
(A) a description of any activity funded by such a
grant; and
(B) the degree of success of each activity funded
by such a grant in achieving hunger-free communities
goals; and
(2) the degree of success of all activities funded by
grants under this title in achieving domestic hunger goals.
TITLE III--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out title II
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.
Executive Comment Requested from USDA.
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