H.R. 6252: Food Assurance and Security Act

The Food Assurance and Security Act, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, seeks to create a streamlined approach to measuring food insecurity and hunger in the country. The main focus is on establishing an interagency program that coordinates the annual collection, analysis, and reporting of data related to these issues.

Interagency Food Security Measurement Program

The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with forming an interagency program in collaboration with the Director of the Census Bureau. This program will serve to:

• Coordinate the annual collection of data on food insecurity and hunger.
• Ensure the analysis and reporting of this data is thorough and consistent.

Data Collection through Population Surveys

As part of this program, the Current Population Survey, conducted by the Census Bureau, will include a food security supplement. This supplement will:

• Implement a questionnaire that mimics the structure used in 2023.
• Incorporate specific questions designed to assess food security from 2026 onward, continuing indefinitely.
• Ensure that any changes to the questions will be based on comprehensive testing, public input, and clearance from the Office of Management and Budget.

Annual Reporting Requirements

The Secretary of Agriculture will produce an annual report that:

• Incorporates findings related to food insecurity from the conducted surveys.
• Makes this report publicly available on the Department of Agriculture's website.
• Submits the report to Congress for review and consideration.

Content of the Survey Questions

The survey will include various questions aimed at understanding food security conditions, such as:

• Whether households worried about running out of food or had trouble affording balanced meals.
• Instances where adults cut down on meal sizes or skipped meals due to a lack of funds.
• Experiences of hunger within the household, especially among children.

Funding Provisions

The bill includes provisions for funding the program by stating:

• The Secretary of Agriculture will receive appropriate funding to fulfill the program's objectives.
• From the allocated funds, there will be specific budget considerations for the Census Bureau to support the annual food security supplement.

Overall Objectives

The overarching aim of the Food Assurance and Security Act is to improve the understanding of food insecurity and hunger across the United States. By coordinating data collection and ensuring consistent reporting, the bill seeks to provide better insights that can inform policies and programs aimed at addressing these critical issues.

Relevant Companies

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