For half a century, food banks have worked hand in hand with farmers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure no American goes hungry. It was Kansas’ own Sen. Bob Dole who brought agriculture and nutrition programs together in what we now know as the farm bill, understanding that the future of our nation’s food supply is critically important to all Americans, whether they live in farm country or not.

The partnership between agriculture and nutrition has stood the test of time and, now more than ever, we need Congress to resolve the uncertainty facing our communities by passing a bipartisan farm bill, which is already long overdue.

Rising levels of food insecurity and a challenging agricultural economy demand strong investments in both agriculture and nutrition programs to keep our food supply stable, our economy strong and our communities resilient.

As Congress considers using the budget reconciliation process to fund other critical priorities, it cannot do so at the expense of our agricultural economy and nutrition security. Proposals that require cuts to the agriculture committees through the budget reconciliation process threaten rural economies, local retailers and agricultural producers, who need market stability. We must ensure that farmers in the U.S. — who already face challenges such as record-high input costs, extreme weather and volatile markets — have the resources they need to keep food on our tables and remain competitive globally.

At the same time, millions of working families are grappling with rising costs at the grocery store housing and childcare. According to Feeding America’s 2024 Map the Meal Gap report, food insecurity in northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri is up 30% over the previous year.

Making it harder for Americans to access federal nutrition programs such as SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, would have far-reaching consequences — further straining food banks and putting unnecessary pressure on hardworking Americans who are doing their best to make ends meet. SNAP is critical to our nation’s food security. It is the cornerstone of the public-private partnership that feeds our neighbors.

Consider this: For every one meal that a food bank provides, SNAP provides nine. So, even a 10% cut to federal SNAP benefits would mean the charitable sector would have to double its response to hunger to meet the same need.

Every food bank and community food pantry would need twice as much donated food to fill its shelves. They would need twice as much space, twice as many volunteers, twice as many financial resources. The community members supporting Harvesters and our partner pantries are hardworking, creative and committed, but they are not equipped to fill gaps as large as those that could be created by cuts to SNAP and other federal programs.

Leaders of the House and Senate agriculture committees have made it clear: They are committed to passing a bipartisan farm bill that strengthens agriculture, food security and conservation programs. It is imperative that Congress allows these leaders to complete this critical work without unnecessary delays or spending cuts that would undercut American farmers and families alike.

A strong, bipartisan farm bill is about more than policy — it is about ensuring the resilience of our nation’s food supply, supporting our agricultural economy and upholding our responsibility to families experiencing hunger.

By investing in both agriculture and nutrition, Congress can build a farm bill that reflects our values, strengthens rural communities and keeps America fed and prosperous for years to come.

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