H.R. 5804: PRODUCE Act

This bill, known as the PRODUCE Act (Providing Robust Organics and Diets for Urban Communities Everywhere Act), aims to reauthorize the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The key components of the bill are as follows:

Reauthorization of the Office

The bill modifies existing legislation to extend the operations and mission of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. Specifically, it changes certain deadlines and budget allocations:

• The operational period of the office is extended from 2023 to 2030.
• The financial authorization for the office is increased from $25 million per year to $50 million per year, covering the fiscal years from 2025 through 2030.

Purpose and Goals

The primary purpose of reauthorizing this office is to support urban farming initiatives, promote innovative agricultural techniques, and enhance food access in urban areas. This includes fostering sustainable practices and improving dietary options available in city settings.

Funding and Resources

The bill allocates increased funding for various programs and projects related to urban agriculture, which may include grants, research opportunities, and support for local food systems in urban communities.

Impact on Agriculture Policy

Through reauthorization, the bill aims to strengthen the role of urban agriculture in national food policy and emphasizes the importance of urban agricultural practices in contributing to food security and community health.

Conclusion

By extending the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, this legislation aims to enhance urban agriculture's capacity to serve communities, especially in terms of providing healthier food options and promoting environmental sustainability in urban environments.

Relevant Companies

• TSLA - Tesla, Inc. may be involved through its initiatives on sustainability and urban infrastructure, potentially impacting urban farming technologies.
• HOLX - Hologic, Inc. could be impacted through broader health initiatives linked to improving diets in urban settings, related to their health products.
• UNVR - Univar Solutions Inc. might be directly involved in supplying agricultural chemicals or services related to urban farming projects initiated by this bill.